How to Resolve the Too Large for the Volume Format Error

When transferring large files between drives on Windows or macOS, you might encounter an error message. On Windows, it may state, “The File (xyz) is too large for the destination file system,” while macOS will display, “The item can’t be copied because it is too large for the volume’s format.” This error prevents the file from being copied to your internal or external drives.

Why Does This Error Occur?

If you’ve just faced this issue, it’s likely due to the FAT32 file system that your drive is formatted with. FAT32 is widely compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS, but it has a significant limitation: it only supports files up to 4GB in size and partitions up to 32GB. Therefore, if your USB flash drive or external drive is formatted as FAT32, you won’t be able to copy any file larger than 4GB, leading to the error message on both Windows and macOS.

How to Fix the Error on Mac and Windows

Resolving this error is straightforward; you simply need to format the drive to a different file system, such as NTFS or exFAT.

– NTFS: This is the default file system for internal drives in Windows. Unlike FAT32, NTFS has no file size limitations, allowing you to transfer files of any size.

– exFAT: An improved version of FAT32, exFAT is compatible with both macOS and Windows, making it a popular choice for external drives. However, it may not work with older hardware.

Fixing the Error on macOS

macOS users have several file systems available for formatting their drives, including MacOS Extended, APFS, and exFAT. While MacOS Extended is the default, it has compatibility issues with other operating systems. APFS is faster and more reliable but also has limited compatibility. The best option for cross-platform use is exFAT.

To format your drive to exFAT on macOS:

1. Insert your USB flash drive and open Disk Utility from Applications/Utilities.
2. Select your USB drive in Disk Utility.
3. Click on the Erase tab to open a new prompt.
4. Name your drive and select GUID Partition Map in the Scheme.
5. From the Format drop-down menu, choose exFAT and click Erase.

Fixing the Error on Windows

On Windows, you may see a different error message stating, “The File (xyz) is too large for the destination file system.” This indicates the same issue, which can be resolved by changing the file system. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect your USB flash or external drive to your Windows PC.
2. Press Windows Key + R to open the RUN dialog box.
3. Type diskmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
4. Right-click on the connected drive you wish to format and select Format.
5. In the Format prompt, enter a volume label and choose either NTFS or exFAT as the file system.
6. Check the Perform a Quick Format box and click OK.

Formatting the Drive via File Explorer on Windows

Alternatively, you can format the drive through File Explorer:

1. Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the drive that is showing the error and select Format.
3. Choose NTFS or exFAT in the Format prompt.
4. Check the Quick Format option and click Start.

These methods will help you resolve the “File Is Too Large for the Volume’s Format” error on both macOS and Windows, allowing you to transfer your files without issues. Learn More