What is the maximum file size limitation in FAT32 format?

In FAT32 format, the maximum file size limitation is 4GB minus 1 byte, which effectively means that the largest file you can create on a FAT32 file system cannot exceed 4GB. This limitation arises from the way FAT32 handles file allocation and data block sizes.

FAT32 utilizes a 32-bit address space for file allocation entries, which restricts the maximum size of each individual file. Although the file system itself can support larger storage volumes (up to 8TB theoretically), no single file can surpass the 4GB barrier. This is crucial for users who might be working with large files, such as video files or disk images, as they need to be aware of this limitation when choosing the file system for a storage device.

In contrast, the other file size options provided do not meet the true limit imposed by the FAT32 format. A 1GB limit is well below the allowed maximum, as is 2GB. The 8GB figure significantly exceeds the maximum file size for FAT32, thus confirming that 4GB is indeed the correct answer.