June 09, 2019
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How to fix "File too large for destination file system" on external USB (pendrive) / Hard drive

Sometimes when you're trying to copy a large file, say over 4 GB, you might get the error "File too large for destination file system" even though your storage drive might actually have more free space available. It might be possible that your storage device is formatted with FAT32 file system, because FAT32 supports individual files only upto 4 GB and total volumes upto 2 TB.

Microsoft started using NTFS filesystems as an alternative back in 2001 (good old days of Windows XP) for its internal hard drives but USB flash drives even today come formatted with a FAT32 filesystem.

Fixes:

1. (Easiest / No downloading of additional software required)

Make sure the flash drive is empty, copy the contents if need be to a local disk on your computer.

CAUTION: This will delete the data present in your removable drive. Please ensure that you copy it to a local disk in your computer.

Step 1: Right click on the USB drive > Format...


 Step 2: Choose the file system as NTFS and click on the Start button.



2. Split the file up into volumes smaller pieces, each piece should individually be under 4 GB:

This can be used for large video files, which you wouldn't really mind being split up. You'll need a archiver such as WinRAR or 7-zip. Here's how you do this using 7-zip, the steps remain more or less the same with other software.

Step 1: Right click on the file you want to copy into the flash drive > 7-Zip > Add to archive...

Step 2: There will be an option on the lines of Split to volumes, bytes:. Enter a suitable number, remember that you need to keep the individual file size under 4 GB.