How Do I Put Files Bigger than 4GB on a USB

Putting files bigger than 4GB on a USB drive can be a challenge, especially if you’re working with large videos, high-resolution images, or other media files. USB drives are a convenient way to store and transfer files, but their file size limitations can be frustrating. In this blog post, we will explore various methods to help you overcome this obstacle and successfully put files bigger than 4GB on a USB drive.

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What’s Needed

To tackle this issue, you will need a few things:

1. A USB drive with sufficient storage capacity: Make sure you have a USB drive that is larger than the file size you wish to transfer. It’s recommended to have a USB drive with at least twice the size of the file you want to put on it. For example, if you have a 6GB file, a 16GB USB drive would be a suitable choice.

2. A computer or laptop: You will need a computer or laptop to connect the USB drive and perform the necessary steps to put the files on it.

3. Access to file compression software: In some cases, compressing the files before transferring them to the USB drive can help reduce their size. You may need file compression software to accomplish this.

What Requires Your Focus?

Before we dive into the different methods to put files bigger than 4GB on a USB drive, there are a few factors that require your attention:

1. Available storage space: Check the available storage space on your USB drive to ensure it can accommodate the file you want to transfer. If it’s already occupied with other files, make sure you have enough free space.

2. File format compatibility: Verify that the file format you intend to transfer is supported by the USB drive. Different USB drives may have specific limitations on the types of files they can store.

3. USB drive file system: Know the file system of your USB drive (e.g., FAT32, NTFS). This is important because certain file systems have restrictions on file sizes, such as the 4GB limit of the FAT32 file system.

Now that we have covered the preliminary aspects, let’s explore the different methods to put files bigger than 4GB on a USB drive.

Different Methods to Put Files Bigger than 4GB on a USB Drive

Method 1: Using File Compression

File compression is a common method to reduce file sizes, making them more manageable to transfer. Here’s how you can put large files on a USB drive using file compression:

1. Install file compression software: Download and install a file compression software like WinRAR, 7-Zip, or WinZip on your computer.

2. Select the file(s): Locate the file(s) you want to put on the USB drive and right-click on them. Choose the compression software option, such as "Add to archive" or "Compress to ZIP."

3. Configure compression settings: In the compression software, specify the destination folder and adjust the compression settings according to your preferences. Choose the appropriate compression level to balance between file size reduction and quality.

4. Compress the file(s): Click on the "OK" or "Compress" button to start the compression process. The software will create a compressed version of the file(s) with a smaller size.

5. Transfer the compressed file(s) to the USB drive: Once the compression process is complete, navigate to the destination folder where the compressed file is saved. Copy and paste or drag and drop the file(s) to the USB drive.

Pros:
– Reduces file size for efficient storage and transfer
– Preserves the original file format
– Widely supported by various compression software

Cons:
– Requires an additional step of decompression before accessing the files
– Compression levels may affect the quality of certain file types

Method 2: Splitting Files

Splitting files into smaller parts is another approach to circumvent the 4GB file size limitation. Follow these steps to split large files and put them on a USB drive:

1. Install file splitting software: Download and install a file splitting software like HJ-Split, GSplit, or WinRAR on your computer.

2. Select the file(s): Locate the file(s) you want to split and right-click on them. Choose the file splitting software option, such as "Split" or "Add to archive."

3. Configure splitting settings: In the file splitting software, specify the desired size for each split part. For example, if you have a 6GB file and want to split it into 2GB parts, set the split size accordingly.

4. Split the file(s): Click on the "Split" or "Start" button to initiate the splitting process. The software will create multiple split parts of the original file.

5. Transfer the split parts to the USB drive: Once the splitting process is complete, navigate to the destination folder where the split parts are saved. Copy and paste or drag and drop the split parts to the USB drive.

Pros:
– Allows you to transfer large files by splitting them into smaller parts
– Preserves the original file format
– No additional steps required to access the files

Cons:
– Requires file splitting software to perform the splitting
– May result in multiple files to manage and organize

Method 3: Formatting the USB Drive to NTFS

If your USB drive is formatted with the FAT32 file system, which has a 4GB file size limitation, you can consider formatting it to NTFS. Please note that formatting will erase all existing data on the USB drive, so make sure to backup any important files before proceeding. Here’s how you can format a USB drive to NTFS:

1. Connect the USB drive to your computer.

2. Open the "File Explorer" or "This PC" window and locate the USB drive.

3. Right-click on the USB drive and select the "Format" option from the context menu.

4. In the format window, choose "NTFS" as the file system type.

5. Confirm the formatting process by clicking on the "Start" or "Format" button.

6. Wait for the formatting to complete. Once finished, the USB drive will be ready to store files larger than 4GB.

Pros:
– Supports larger file sizes compared to FAT32
– Retains file format compatibility with various file types
– No additional software required

Cons:
– Erases all existing data on the USB drive
– Compatibility with non-Windows devices may be limited

Method 4: Using Third-Party Software

There are third-party software options available specifically designed to overcome the 4GB file size limitation of the FAT32 file system. These software tools split the large files into smaller parts and join them back when needed. Here’s how you can use third-party software to put files bigger than 4GB on a USB drive:

1. Research and find a suitable third-party software that meets your requirements. Examples include FAT32 Format, SwissKnife, and EaseUS Partition Master.

2. Download and install the chosen software on your computer.

3. Open the software and select the USB drive you want to format or convert.

4. Follow the software’s instructions to format the USB drive or convert it to a file system that supports larger file sizes.

5. Once the process is complete, the USB drive will be ready to store files bigger than 4GB.

Pros:
– Dedicated solution for overcoming the FAT32 file size limitation
– Preserves file format compatibility
– Additional features and functionalities provided by certain software tools

Cons:
– Requires the installation of third-party software
– Compatibility with different operating systems and devices may vary

Now that you have learned about various methods to put files bigger than 4GB on a USB drive, let’s address some common questions and concerns.

Why Can’t I Put Files Bigger than 4GB on a USB Drive?

There are a few reasons why you may encounter difficulties when trying to put files bigger than 4GB on a USB drive:

1. FAT32 file system: The FAT32 file system, commonly used for USB drives, has a maximum file size limit of 4GB. Any file larger than this limit cannot be stored on a FAT32-formatted USB drive.

2. File format restrictions: Some USB drives may have limitations on the types of file formats they support. Check the specifications of your USB drive to ensure compatibility with the file format of the file you want to transfer.

3. Insufficient storage space: If your USB drive doesn’t have enough free space to accommodate the file you want to put on it, you may encounter issues. Make sure to check the available storage space on your USB drive.

Implications and Recommendations

Here are some implications and recommendations to consider when putting files bigger than 4GB on a USB drive:

1. Backup important files: Before performing any operations on your USB drive, ensure you have a backup of any important files to avoid data loss.

2. Compression trade-offs: When using file compression, keep in mind that higher compression levels may result in a smaller file size but potentially reduced quality. Find the right balance based on your requirements.

3. Consider multiple USB drives: If you frequently work with large files, investing in multiple USB drives with ample storage capacity can provide a more convenient and organized solution.

4. Choose the appropriate file system: If your USB drive doesn’t have pre-existing data, consider formatting it to the NTFS file system to bypass the 4GB file size limitation.

5 FAQs about Putting Files Bigger than 4GB on a USB Drive

Q1: Can I directly transfer a file larger than 4GB to a FAT32-formatted USB drive?

A: No, the FAT32 file system has a maximum file size limit of 4GB. To transfer files bigger than 4GB to a USB drive, you need to use alternative methods such as file compression, splitting, formatting, or third-party software.

Q2: Will formatting my USB drive erase all existing data?

A: Yes, formatting a USB drive will erase all existing data on it. Therefore, make sure to backup any important files before formatting the drive.

Q3: Are all USB drives compatible with NTFS formatting?

A: Most USB drives support NTFS formatting, but it’s essential to check the specifications of your USB drive to ensure compatibility.

Q4: Can I use the split files without any additional software on another computer?

A: No, to use split files, you will need the same file splitting software that was used to split them on the original computer. The software will join the split parts back into the original file.

Q5: Can I transfer files bigger than 4GB using cloud storage or online file-sharing services instead?

A: Yes, using cloud storage or online file-sharing services can be an alternative solution to transfer large files without the limitations of USB drive size restrictions. Upload the file to the cloud service and share it with the intended recipient.

Final Words

Putting files bigger than 4GB on a USB drive requires some considerations and alternate approaches due to the FAT32 file size limitation. By utilizing file compression, splitting, formatting to NTFS, or using third-party software, you can efficiently overcome this obstacle and successfully transfer large files to a USB drive. Remember to choose the method that best suits your requirements and always back up important data before performing any operations on your USB drive. Enjoy the convenience of transferring and storing large files with ease!