FAT32 Archives

Winsage

April 9, 2025

4 reasons I use virtual hard disks in Windows, and you should too

Creating virtual hard disks (VHD or VHDX) in Windows 11 23H2 and later is straightforward through the Settings app. Users can create a VHD by navigating to Settings -> System -> Storage -> Advanced storage settings -> Disks and volumes, where they can choose to create a VHD or Dev Drive. The VHD format supports up to 2040GB, while VHDX supports up to 64TB and offers resilience during power failures. VHDX can be encrypted with BitLocker for password protection. Virtual disks can be shared over a network, enhancing efficiency by eliminating the need for physical media. They are cost-effective compared to physical drives, reducing hardware costs and potential points of failure. The Hyper-V hypervisor provides a versatile platform for these virtual drives, which offer portability, flexibility, ease of sharing, efficient backups, and robust security, though they may have slower performance than SSDs and limited native boot support for Windows.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

10 Facts you probably didn’t know about Windows as Microsoft turns 50

- Windows was originally named "Interface Manager" before being changed to "Windows" prior to its launch in 1985. - Early versions of Windows (1.0, 2.0, and 3.x) operated on top of MS-DOS and required users to boot into MS-DOS before launching the graphical interface. - The Briefcase folder was an early tool for synchronizing files between computers, which became obsolete with the rise of cloud storage solutions. - Prior to Windows XP, user profiles were basic and lacked robust security; full user accounts were implemented with Windows NT. - Several applications from Windows 1.0, including Calculator, Paint, Notepad, Clock, and Control Panel, are still present in Windows 11 in modernized forms. - The "Format" dialog in File Explorer has used the same code for over 30 years, although updates for FAT32 support are being developed. - TrueType fonts were introduced in Windows 3.1 in 1992 through a licensing agreement with Apple, improving font rendering quality. - The "Ctrl + Alt + Delete" shortcut was created by IBM engineer David Bradley as a debugging tool and later adopted by Microsoft for secure attention sequences in Windows NT. - Windows 1.0 required a minimum of 256KB of RAM at its launch in 1985, while Windows 11 requires at least 4GB.

Winsage

March 24, 2025

5 reasons why GParted is better than any Windows alternative for partition management

GParted is a free and open-source partition management tool available on Linux, allowing users to boot directly from a flash drive without installation. It supports over a dozen file systems, including HFS, HFS+, BTRFS, and F2FS, providing versatility beyond Windows' Disk Management, which is limited to NTFS, exFAT, and FAT32. GParted enables users to manage partition flags easily, a feature not available in Windows. While it does not offer direct partition recovery options, users can use the Terminal in GParted Live to execute disk tests for locating lost partitions. GParted can run from a live USB across multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it a flexible choice for partition management. It allows users to shrink partitions, create new ones, and recover lost partitions and files, although it is recommended for users comfortable with partition management.

Winsage

August 20, 2024

Windows 11 is introducing automatic HDR switching support

Microsoft is enhancing HDR support on Windows with the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update, which includes new settings for HDR content. A recent change in Windows Build 27686 introduces an option to allow HDR video streaming even when HDR mode is disabled. The HDR settings section has been rebranded to "HDR video streaming, games, apps, and more." Official HDR support was first introduced in 2017 with Windows 10 Creators Update (1703). Users can now toggle HDR mode with a keyboard shortcut or convert SDR content to HDR on a game-by-game basis. The update will also support HDR wallpapers in JXR format. Additionally, the FAT32 file system size limit has increased from 32GB to 2TB.

Winsage

August 20, 2024

Gamers rejoice! Windows 11 will soon let you keep HDR off for games, but have it enabled for streaming videos.

Windows 11 Build 27686 has been rolled out to Insiders in the Canary Channel. This build introduces several features, including the ability to set Power Mode based on whether the PC is plugged in or on battery, accessible through the Settings app. Users can now enable HDR video streaming even when HDR is turned off. The updated Windows Sandbox Client Preview is available through the Microsoft Store, featuring runtime clipboard redirection, audio/video input control, and folder sharing with the host. A new detach virtual hard disk (VHD/VHDx) button has been added to the Settings app. Optimizations have been made to enhance battery life for PCs running Build 27686 and above. Background network tests will be conducted on devices to gather diagnostic data, consuming up to 10MB/day. The FAT32 size limit for formatting disks from the command line has been increased from 32GB to 2TB.

Winsage

August 20, 2024

Microsoft closes off a Windows 11 requirements workaround

Microsoft has introduced a change in the latest Windows Insider build 27686 that addresses a workaround allowing users to bypass hardware requirements for Windows 11. The "setup.exe /product server" method, previously used to circumvent Microsoft's hardware checks, is no longer functional in this build. While the workaround still works in the Windows 24H2 update, it has been reinstated in the Canary channel build 27686. The hardware requirements for Windows Server 2025 are less stringent than those for Windows 11, which requires a TPM chip for certain features but allows installation without it. The hardware requirements for Windows 11 include a GHz or faster processor with two or more cores, 4GB of RAM, a storage device of 64GB or larger, TPM version 2, and UEFI and Secure Boot capability.

Winsage

August 19, 2024

Microsoft blocks trick that lets you install Windows 11 on older PCs

Microsoft has closed a loophole that allowed users to install Windows 11 on older PCs that did not meet hardware requirements. This workaround involved using the command /product server during installation to bypass compatibility checks. The change was made with the release of Windows 11 Insider Build 27686, which patched the workaround. Reports confirm that this method is ineffective in the latest build. The workaround still works in the current stable version of Windows 11 (version 24H2), but future updates are expected to eliminate it. Microsoft is enforcing system requirements more strictly, as seen in their recent mandate for a Microsoft account for installations. Installing Windows 11 on incompatible hardware can lead to issues such as inability to receive updates and system instability. Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025, prompting users to consider upgrading their machines or opting for Extended Security Updates for an additional cost. Refurbished laptops are suggested as a cost-effective upgrade option.

Winsage

August 19, 2024

You can finally pick different power modes for battery or plugged in with the latest Windows 11 Insider build, ending the tyranny of one power setting for all

The latest Windows 11 Insider Canary build (Build 27686) introduces the ability to select distinct power modes for gaming laptops based on whether the device is plugged in or running on battery. Users can choose from options such as Best Performance, Balanced, or Best Power Efficiency. This update enhances user control over device performance, allowing for tailored settings rather than automatic adjustments. Additionally, the FAT32 partition size limit has been increased from 32 GB to 2 TB, and a new HDR streaming feature has been introduced, although it does not yet address existing HDR gaming challenges on Windows.

Winsage

August 18, 2024

Besides new Sandbox, Microsoft wants to raise Windows 11 FAT32 limit to 2TB soon

The Windows 11 Canary Channel update, build 27686, introduces a preview of the Sandbox Client and significantly increases the FAT32 partition size limit from 32 GB to 2 TB. This change allows users to format larger disks directly from the command line. Additionally, the update enhances the Resilient File System (ReFS) version support to 3.15 while maintaining compatibility with version 3.14. The update continues to refine ReFS-based Dev Drives, which were introduced in March 2023, aimed at improving performance by up to 30%.

Winsage

August 18, 2024

Windows 11 preview update adds new Power mode options

Windows 11 Build 27686 introduces support for 2TB storage on FAT32, enhances Windows Sandbox functionality, and improves HDR settings control. A new feature allows users to customize power modes for devices when plugged in or on battery, enabling distinct settings such as "Best Performance," "Balanced," or "Best Power Efficiency" for each state. Users can set their preferred Power Mode in the Settings menu, allowing for automatic transitions between modes based on the power source.