Has anyone noticed FAT32 format option is gone in Windows?

Microsoft has not issued an official statement explaining why the FAT32 formatting option is unavailable for storage devices 32GB and larger but we’ve done some digging and came up with a possible answer.

On both Windows 10 and Windows 11, users are typically presented with formatting options for NTFS (New Technology File System) or exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table). The choice to format a drive as FAT32 is missing once the drive exceeds 32GB in capacity.

Since Microsoft has not clarified this change, it’s widely assumed that the decision was made to avoid problems caused by FAT32’s limitations—especially its inability to store files larger than 4GB. As file sizes have continued to grow over the years, this limitation has become more noticeable.

The FAT32 file system cannot handle single files larger than 4GB. This is due to its 32-bit file allocation table, which caps the maximum file size at 4,294,967,295 bytes. Regardless of the cluster size, FAT32 simply cannot address a file above that cluster size.

For users who need to store high-resolution videos, system backups, or other large files, switching to exFAT or NTFS is essential. NTFS, which is the default for most internal drives in Windows, offers better support for large files, access permissions, and journaling. ExFAT, on the other hand, was created as a lightweight, high-capacity alternative for external storage that’s compatible across multiple operating systems. But don’t format USB flash drives as NTFS as we’ve mentioned before.

We think Microsoft removed the FAT32 option for drives above 32GB to prevent user confusion and/or support issues. For example, trying to copy a 5GB video file to a FAT32 drive will result in a frustrating error message. By defaulting to exFAT, Windows helps users avoid this issue without needing to explain file system limits.

ExFAT supports significantly larger file sizes compared to FAT32. In theory, exFAT can handle files up to 16 exabytes (16 million terabytes), although real-world limits are much lower and depend on the device’s implementation. Even so, it’s more than sufficient for most consumer and professional use cases, from video production to large-scale backups.

While exFAT offers excellent cross-platform compatibility and large file support, users should be aware that some older operating systems or embedded devices might not support it natively.

Real Quick: A Brief History of File Systems

The concept of a file system—the method by which data is organized and stored on a storage device—has evolved steadily since the early days of computing.

General Motors needed a file system in the 1950s to help their early computers store and organize large amounts of business data—like payroll, inventory, and production schedules. Working with IBM, they developed one of the first operating systems (GM-NAA I/O) to manage these tasks. It allowed the computer to access and manage files on magnetic tape, making it easier to run multiple jobs and retrieve information efficiently. This basic file system helped move computing from scientific use into real-world business operations.

A few years later, more advanced systems like MIT’s Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS) introduced features like named files and user access control. By the 1970s, UNIX and Multics brought in hierarchical directory structures that closely resemble the file systems we use today.

Dumb Question: Why Did Microsoft Call It “FAT”?

Review with pictures and video

When it comes to making a USB stick read only, or USB write protected, there are two options. The first is the original technology of using a physical switch to toggle on and off the flash drive writing. The more recent technology is a programmatical way to toggle the write protection on and off.

Why write protect a USB anyway?

Great question. There are two main categories of flash drive users;
A) the home computer user and
B) the corporate / business world. The home computer user probably doesn’t care too much about making a USB read only because their environment is trusted. They know who’s had the USB and they know the computers it is being plugged into. However corporate folks definitely care about making a USB read only.

Disclosure: This post contains one affiliate link to Netac products. If you use this link, you may earn a commission at no cost to you.

They have two main reasons why

1. They don’t want their data changed or manipulated.
2. They don’t want a virus to spread via their USB; it’s bad publicity and a security risk. Corporations don’t want those headaches.

Surprisingly this review has brought to light the way all flash drives should work.

Lake Forest, CA – [June 24, 2025] — Nexcopy introduces the Lock License USB drive as a secure, modern alternative to the USB write protect switch — offering firmware-level data protection with no physical toggle. A leading provider of advanced USB technology solutions, Nexcopy is emphasizing that the Lock License USB flash drive is a groundbreaking replacement for the traditional USB write protect switch flash drive. Built on a hardware-firmware architecture, the Lock License flash drive offers unmatched security, automation, and deployment capabilities for modern business and industrial use.

For years, one USB flash drive option was a manual write protect switch for basic read-only data protection. However, in today’s threat landscape, this physical toggle is not only antiquated but also vulnerable to human error and physical tampering. Nexcopy’s Lock License USB drive redefines secure data transport and storage by offering firmware-level, controller-enforced read-only protection which is always active from the very first use.

“The USB write protect switch is simply outdated technology,” says Greg Morris, President of Nexcopy. “Lock License is built from the ground up with enterprise-level features like automatic re-locking, password-protected access, command-line scripting, and zero backdoor access — something the switch could never provide.”

Why Lock License Leads the Industry

Update [June 13, 2025]: The official press release is now live. Click here to read the full announcement.

Since 2008 when USB flash drives really started getting mainstream most IT folks and systems integrators leaned on USB drives with physical write protect switches to safeguard files from tampering or corruption. But that hardware toggle — while once helpful — is on its way out.

Industry insiders say a major USB technology company based in Southern California is preparing to unveil a new type of flash drive that renders the old switch obsolete. According to early chatter, the device uses firmware at the controller level to lock the drive into a read-only state by default — no manual switch, no end-user slipups, and no chance of getting flipped off accidentally.

More intriguing? Sources say the device is password-controlled, re-locks automatically when unplugged, and supports scripting for mass deployment — making it a potential game-changer for government agencies, hospitals, and manufacturing workflows where USB data security isn’t optional.

From what we’ve heard, this isn’t just an upgrade — it’s a reimagining of what write protection on a USB drive should look like in 2025. Keep an eye out for the official announcement, expected within a week or so.

It’s not just the end of the physical USB write protect switch — this marks a new standard for secure flash storage.

Editor’s note: We’ll update this post with a link once the official announcement is live.

Microsoft is trying to ending USB Type-C port confusion by addresses the user issues they face with USB-C ports on Windows 11 devices. Even though USB-C is ‘supposed to be’ universal the ports themselves do not offer the same functionalities – leading users to confusion and frustration.

To combat this, Microsoft has implemented new standards through the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) to ensure consistency and reliability across USB-C ports on certified Windows 11 devices.

Understanding the Problem

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) today introduced System Designer for USB, a comprehensive design solution that supports the latest USB4® standards—Gen2, Gen3, and Gen4. Tailored for high-speed digital USB applications in personal computers, mobile devices, and edge AI, the platform delivers an integrated environment for modeling, simulating, and validating USB4® interfaces. By combining a smart workflow with simulation-driven virtual compliance testing, System Designer for USB aims to accelerate time-to-market and reduce design risks associated with complex multi-channel, multi-level USB configurations.

As data throughput demands rise, designers face the challenge of ensuring reliable USB communication for large-scale data transfers. The USB4® specification addresses this need by delivering speeds up to 120 Gbps and employing three-level pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM3) within the popular USB-C® connector. System Designer for USB leverages these modern standards to provide early-stage validation of signal integrity, link training, and performance, helping engineers identify bottlenecks and compliance issues before hardware prototypes are available.

Key features of System Designer for USB include a streamlined environment that simplifies the setup of multi-link, multi-lane, and PAM3 configurations through a guided, smart workflow. The solution’s USB Algorithmic Modeling Interface (AMI) modeler supports both Non-Return-to-Zero (NRZ) and PAM3 modulation schemes, enabling rapid implementation of high-speed USB links. Integrated compliance-test simulations automate critical validation steps, reducing design iterations, minimizing re-spins, and cutting overall development costs. Simulation-driven insights help engineers resolve signal integrity challenges early and efficiently.

Who Are: The Top 5 NAND Flash Memory Manufacturers in the World as of 2025

First off, it’s important to know that NAND flash memory powers everything from smartphones and laptops to massive data centers and cloud storage systems. In 2025, just five companies control over 90% of the global NAND market which is a testament to the complexity, capital, and innovation needed to produce these essential chips.

In the order of global market share, let us take a closer look at the top five NAND manufacturers and with a quick dive into their company history.

At #1 we have Samsung Electronics (South Korea) with a 31% Market Share

Samsung has been the undisputed king of NAND flash for over a decade and the set the standard for quality. With cutting-edge V-NAND (Vertical NAND) architecture and some of the most advanced semiconductor fabs in the world, Samsung is still the leader of performance and capacity.

Samsung at a glance

Founded in 1938 as a trading company, Samsung entered the electronics industry in the late 1960s. By the 1980s, it was investing heavily in semiconductors, laying the groundwork for its current dominance.

At #2 we have SK hynix (also South Korea ) with a 18% Market Share

SK hynix is a newer name in the industry but rapidly grew in the NAND space, especially after acquiring Intel’s NAND business in 2021. SK hynix created the “Solidigm” business division to represent the enterprise and data center SSD business sector.

SK hynix at a glance

Originally part of Hyundai Group, SK hynix started in 1983 and grew into a major DRAM producer. Its NAND growth was supercharged by Intel’s exit, and their purchase of it, making Hynix a global heavyweight almost overnight. Money does talk!

Coming in at #3 Kioxia (Japan) which has a 17% Market Share

Kioxia is better known as Toshiba Memory from before the change in 2019. Kioxia is credited with inventing NAND flash in the 1980s but unfortunately has not been able to capture the “high quality” component which Samsung has achieved. Toshiba…we mean, Kioxia continues to lead innovation with joint manufacturing ventures alongside Western Digital in Japan.

About Kioxia

Toshiba, founded in 1875, spun off its memory division in 2017, which was renamed Kioxia in 2019. Despite the name change, it maintains deep roots in flash memory innovation.

In a solid #4 spot Western Digital (USA) captures 15% of Market Share

Western Digital may be best known for its hard drives, but its SanDisk acquisition in 2016 catapulted it into the NAND flash big leagues. In partnership with Kioxia, WD continues to produce high-quality NAND for consumer and enterprise use.

About Western Digital

Founded in 1970, Western Digital began as a calculator chip maker before pivoting to storage. It evolved with the market, transitioning from hard drives to solid state drives (SSDs) with strategic acquisitions like SanDisk. Western Digital is based out of San Jose California

Rounding things out, #5 Micron Technology (USA)with an 11% Market Share

Micron is the only U.S. based memory manufacturer with strong capabilities in both DRAM and NAND. Micron has made big strides in 3D NAND technology and offering competitive solutions for PCs, smartphones, and data centers. Micron has earned a strong reputation for high quality memory equal to the “leader” of Samsung.

About Micron

Micron was founded in 1978 in Boise, Idaho. It began as a DRAM producer and expanded into NAND flash in the early 2000s, later forming (and eventually dissolving) a joint venture with Intel.

In 2025, the global NAND flash memory market is highly consolidated, with just five companies controlling roughly 92% of total output. Whether you’re saving selfies on your phone or storing enterprise data in the cloud, chances are your information is riding on memory made by one of these giants.

The estimates for this market will reach $117 billion by 2030. This is a signal that NAND flash memory will continue to be a key roll in technology products and mostly driven by increased demand for smartphones, solid-state drives (SSDs), and data center storage solutions.

Have you ever tried plugging something old into something new, and it just didn’t fit? Like trying to charge an old toy with a new charger? That’s the kind of problem some people have when working with really old computers and machines. One of the most common connector types starting in the early 1960s was the “serial” connection or “DB” connector.

A serial connector is a type of plug used to connect devices like computers, printers, and modems. It sends data one bit at a time, in a single line – like sending letters one by one through a pipe. This was the main way for computers to talk to other devices before USBs (Universal Serial Bus) became popular.

The first serial port (specifically the RS-232 standard) was invented in 1960 by a group called the Electronic Industries Association (EIA). It was made to help different kinds of machines communicate easily.

It became widely available to the public in the early 1960s, especially when computers and terminals started using it more often in offices and labs. By the 1980s the DB9 was the most common serial connector and was a common feature on most computers.

Sabrent has created a special cable that lets old machines talk to new computers. It’s called a DB9 Serial to USB-C cable.

DB9 Serial is an old way that machines used to send information to each other. It’s a type of plug that has 9 little pins. USB-C is the newer, smaller plug that you see on most new computers, tablets, and phones today. It’s the oval-shaped one you can plug in either way!

Why is the serial connector to USB-C important?

A lot of businesses and even schools still use really old equipment like:

• Old computer screens (called terminals)
• Printers
• Modems (a device that helps computers talk over the phone line)
• GPS systems (machines that tell you where you are)

But new computers don’t have the old DB9 Serial plug anymore. That’s why this new Sabrent cable is so helpful It acts like a translator so old machines and new computers can understand each other.

What is cool about the Sabrent cable?

If you’ve been hearing about a new technology standard called GPMI and wondering what it is, you’re not alone. So what is GPMI? To the best or our knowledge this is what GPMI is:

A group of over 50 Chinese companies also known as the “Shenzhen 8K UHD Video Industry Cooperation Alliance,” announced this new technology called GPMI, which stands for General Purpose Media Interface.

We thought at first this was like HDMI or DisplayPort but it isn’t; although GPMI is designed to be the next generation alternative. The goal is to deliver faster speeds and more features through a single cable with a socket type everyone already has.

Right now, when you connect a laptop to a monitor, you typically need two cables: one for the video signal (like HDMI) and another one for power (like your charging cable). GPMI changes that. It combines super high data speeds with power delivery into one cable, making setups much simpler and cleaner.

There are two types of GPMI cables:

1. GPMI Type-B uses a new, proprietary connector and can deliver up to 192 gigabits per second of data and 480 watts of power — that’s way more than today’s HDMI or DisplayPort cables.
2. GPMI Type-C uses the familiar USB-C connector and still offers impressive performance, with 96 gigabits per second of data and 240 watts of power.

What does this mean for tech?

It means GPMI could easily become the default protocol for anything audio and video. With support for 8K displays, high-end gaming setups, streaming devices, andpower-hungry devices, all while letting you control multiple devices with a single remote (similar to how HDMI-CEC works today).

Compared to today’s popular standards like HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1, and USB4, GPMI Type-B stands out by offering much higher bandwidth and significantly more power. If GPMI catches on, it could completely change how we connect and power our devices — at least in China to start, and possibly around the world later.

Just to clear up any confusion: you might have seen people mention GDMI (General Digital Media Interface), but that’s actually a mistake. The correct term is GPMI – General Purpose Media Interface.

This is exciting news for tech lovers because it promises faster speeds, cleaner setups, and future-proof devices.

Here’s a comparison table between GPMI, HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 2.1:

Feature	GPMI Type-B	HDMI 2.1	DisplayPort 2.1
Max Bandwidth	192 Gbps	48 Gbps	80 Gbps (UHBR 20 mode)
Max Resolution	8K and beyond (future-ready)	10K @ 120Hz (compressed)	16K @ 60Hz (compressed)
Power Delivery	480W	~1–5V at 50mA (very low)	No power delivery (video only)
Connector Type	Proprietary (Type-B), USB-C (Type-C)	HDMI (Type-A/B/C/D)	DisplayPort, USB-C (Alt Mode)
Control Functions	Yes (CEC-like features)	Yes (HDMI-CEC)	Yes (Aux channel, MST)
Compression Standard	Unknown (likely proprietary or TBD)	DSC (Display Stream Compression)	DSC (Display Stream Compression)
Backward Compatibility	No (brand new tech)	Yes (with older HDMI)	Yes (with older DP)
Market Maturity	New (early 2025)	Very mature	Mature
Main Backers	50+ Chinese companies	HDMI Forum (Sony, Intel, etc.)	VESA (Intel, AMD, NVIDIA)

Hologram technology is difficult to develop and manufacture. We list the reasons below, but in the mean time, COOLIFY has a hologram PC fan people can take advantage in very short order (available soon). The Holo Fan by COOLIFY is the world’s first holographic PC case fan. By placing a small LED bar across the diameter of their cooling fan COOLIFY has created a customizable 3D visual display on their fans – a brilliant idea we should have thought of years ago!

Users can upload images and videos via the COOLIFY app to personalize their PC setups, creating personalized holograms on their PC rig. The fan offers two speed options: 2600 RPM for maximum cooling efficiency and 1500 RPM for quieter operation with sharper visuals. Its transparent blades and base ensure crystal-clear resolution, while the 4.1-inch display, equipped with 96 high-quality LEDs, delivers vibrant, dynamic holographic effects. Applications include video displays, custom slideshows, logos, GIFs, 3D visuals, and background effects, allowing for a unique and personalized gaming experience.

Hologram technology is difficult to develop and implement because it requires extremely precise control over light to create realistic 3D images. At the core of holography is the use of interference patterns between laser light waves, which must be recorded and reconstructed with great accuracy. Even the slightest vibration or environmental disturbance can disrupt this process. However, a less expensive and less sensitive solution is placing mini LED lights on a spinning object to create the affect of something floating.

Another challenge is the resolution requirement. To create a sharp and convincing hologram, displays need to have pixel densities far beyond what standard LCD or OLED screens can offer, which current technology struggles to support in a practical, affordable way. True holograms also require dynamic changes in perspective based on viewer movement, known as parallax, which is extremely difficult to achieve accurately.

Hardware limitations further complicate the process. Traditional display technologies aren’t suitable for real holography, so specialized optics, lasers, or spinning LED arrays are often required. These components tend to be expensive, bulky, and fragile. On top of that, integrating hologram tech into real-world consumer devices—like phones, monitors, or even PC fans—raises additional concerns around size, power consumption, heat, and cost. All of these factors make hologram technology complex and challenging to bring into everyday use.

The halo fan will be available for about $50 and should be shipping by end of Q2 2025. Reference: COOLIFY product page.

ChatGPT had an image create tool update earlier today. The service called DALL-E is a playful blend of two influences which was the root for how the name came about.

Salvador Dalí is the famous surrealist artist known for his imaginative and dream like imagery and WALL·E is the robot from the Pixar movie and represents the artificial intelligence and the futuristic capabilities of non human AI sources.

With that said DALL·E doesn’t technically stand for anything, but more like an acronym. Like the ChatGPT which creates surreal, imaginative images, just like Dalí would; yet powered by technology like the little WALL·E robot. The idea behind the name is to capture the spirit of art and artificial intelligence which is what the ChatGPT service does, turns words into images.

So what was improved?

Inpainting (Image Editing / Generative Fill)

You can now click on parts of an image and edit or regenerate specific sections—like replacing an object or modifying just the background—without recreating the whole image. This gives you much more control.

More Accurate Prompt Interpretation

The tool is now better at understanding complex and detailed prompts, including spatial relationships, styles, and lighting. If you say “a USB drive plugged into the left side of a silver laptop,” it’s more likely to reflect that exactly.

Higher-Quality Images

There’s a noticeable boost in the sharpness, realism, and overall visual fidelity of the images generated. Textures, reflections, and lighting effects are now more natural-looking.

Faster Generation Time

Image creation is now quicker, allowing near real-time rendering of visuals—even for detailed prompts or specific camera angles.

Improved Consistency in Object Rendering

The model is better at producing recognizable and consistent objects, like realistic human anatomy, symmetrical faces, or technical devices such as laptops and USB drives.

Better Handling of Text in Images

While still not perfect, the system is better at rendering legible and relevant text within images—like signs, labels, or product branding.

Enhanced Style Control

You can more reliably request specific artistic styles (e.g., pencil sketch, watercolor, photorealism), and the system will stick to that aesthetic more closely.

Freeware for Running a Server from a USB Stick

There are several free software options which allow people to set up a portable server on a USB stick. Probably the biggest sector looking for freeware to run a server on a USB stick would be students looking to learn more about server functionality or developers who need a quick and easy way to setup a sandbox for testing of web applications, websites, or for security testing.

We have four categories listed on this post:

1. Web Servers
2. FTP & File Servers
3. Windows-Based Local Server
4. Linux-Based Live Server on USB

Web Servers

XAMPP Portable is a lightweight, portable version of the XAMPP stack (Apache, MySQL, PHP, Perl) that runs directly from a USB drive. You can download it from Apache Friends.

XAMPP Portable is a lightweight and portable version of XAMPP, a widely used open-source software stack that provides an easy way to set up a local web server. The name XAMPP is derived from the core components it includes:

• X – Cross-platform (works on Windows, Linux, and macOS)
• A – Apache (the web server)
• M – MySQL/MariaDB (the database)
• P – PHP (server-side scripting language)
• P – Perl (another server-side scripting language)

Origins and Development

XAMPP was initially developed by Kai ‘Oswald’ Seidler and Kay Vogelgesang as an easy-to-install web development environment. The project was launched by Apache Friends, a non-profit organization, to provide developers with a simple way to test websites locally without configuring complex server settings manually.

The first versions of XAMPP appeared in the early 2000s, around 2002, and quickly gained popularity due to its ease of use. The stack bundled all essential components needed to run dynamic websites and applications, making it a popular choice for developers, students, and educators.

Introduction of XAMPP Portable

As XAMPP’s popularity grew, many users wanted a portable version that could run from a USB flash drive without requiring installation on a host computer. This led to the creation of XAMPP Portable, which offers the same functionality as the regular XAMPP package but is designed for mobility.

The portable version allows developers to carry a pre-configured web server environment on a USB stick and use it on different computers without modifying the system settings.

USBWebserver is a minimal and lightweight server that includes Apache, PHP, MySQL, and phpMyAdmin. It is available at USBWebserver.

USBWebserver was first developed in the early 2000s by Dutch developers to provide a portable web development solution. The primary goal was to create a small, efficient web server that could run without requiring installation on a local system. Unlike XAMPP Portable, which is a larger stack, USBWebserver was designed to be minimalist and lightweight.

The software includes:.

• Apache – The core web server component
• MySQL – The database management system
• PHP – A popular server-side scripting language
• phpMyAdmin – A web-based GUI for managing databases

Because of its portability and simplicity, USBWebserver quickly gained popularity among students, developers, and IT professionals who needed a quick way to test PHP applications and MySQL databases without setting up a full server environment.

Server2Go is a self-configuring, portable web server with Apache, PHP, MySQL, and Perl. Although it has been discontinued, it can still be found on archive sites. Visit Server2Go for more details.

While Server2Go is no longer updated, its concept of a truly portable, self-contained web server has influenced other software solutions. Today, developers looking for alternatives often turn to:

• XAMPP Portable – A more actively maintained portable web server.
• Uniform Server – Another lightweight WAMP solution.
• Laragon – A modern, portable development environment for Windows.

Server2Go remains a notable part of portable web server history, especially for its offline web application distribution capabilities.

Here are some other solutions for server type applications which can be installed and ran from a USB flash drive.

FTP & File Servers

HFS (Http File Server) is a portable HTTP file server that allows easy file sharing over a network. Get it at HFS.

BabyFTP Server is a simple, lightweight, and portable FTP server. Download it from BabyFTP.

Windows-Based Local Server

Uniform Server is a small and lightweight WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL, PHP) server that fits on a USB drive. You can download it at Uniform Server.

Linux-Based Live Server on USB

TurnKey Linux is a collection of lightweight, ready-to-run servers (LAMP, WordPress, etc.) that can be installed on a USB. Check it out at TurnKey Linux.

Puppy Linux with a Web Server is a lightweight Linux distro that can run a web server directly from a USB stick. Download it from Puppy Linux.