Which statement accurately describes FAT32 file system limitations?

Which statement accurately describes FAT32 file system limitations?

• A. FAT32 supports a maximum file size of 4 GB and lacks built-in file permissions.
• B. FAT32 supports file permissions and large files beyond 4 GB.
• C. FAT32 uses journaling and advanced security descriptors.
• D. FAT32 is the most modern Windows file system with robust security.

Answer: (A)

FAT32 has two key limitations: the size of a single file is capped at 4 GB, and there are no built-in per-file permissions. The 4 GB limit comes from how FAT32 stores file sizes in a 32-bit field, which tops out just under 4 GB. Because the file system doesn’t carry security descriptors or ACLs like newer systems, it can’t enforce Windows-style permissions on individual files. These traits explain why FAT32 can’t reliably handle very large files and why it isn’t suitable for environments that require detailed access control. The other descriptions suggest features FAT32 doesn’t have—journaling, advanced security descriptors, or being the modern Windows file system—so they don’t fit.

FAT32 has two key limitations: the size of a single file is capped at 4 GB, and there are no built-in per-file permissions. The 4 GB limit comes from how FAT32 stores file sizes in a 32-bit field, which tops out just under 4 GB. Because the file system doesn’t carry security descriptors or ACLs like newer systems, it can’t enforce Windows-style permissions on individual files. These traits explain why FAT32 can’t reliably handle very large files and why it isn’t suitable for environments that require detailed access control. The other descriptions suggest features FAT32 doesn’t have—journaling, advanced security descriptors, or being the modern Windows file system—so they don’t fit.