Microsoft KB Archive/303582

= Unable to Format a Removable Storage Device Larger Than 2GB as FAT in My Computer =

Article ID: 303582

Article Last Modified on 12/1/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

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This article was previously published under Q303582





SYMPTOMS
Under My Computer, when you attempt to format a removable storage device that is larger than 2 gigabytes (GB) to use the file allocation table (FAT) file system, FAT is not an option in the File system box. Only FAT32 and the NTFS file system are available.



CAUSE
This behavior occurs because Windows XP does not support this functionality under My Computer.



WORKAROUND
To work around this behavior, format the device at a command prompt:  Click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER

format : /FS:FAT /V:

where  is the drive letter for the removable storage device and   is the label for the device.

 Follow the instructions on the screen to format the device.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.

Keywords: kbenv kbprb KB303582

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