• Oct 17, 2019 This tutorial explains how to create a bootable Windows USB in macOS without any additional tools. The instructions are absolutely foolproof, no terminal is required and the resulting USB drive.
• Nov 09, 2015  With large files (e.g. Over 4GB in size), it isn’t, by default, possible to save these large files. If trying to save a large file to a USB memory stick a message like the file ‘example.zip’ is too large for the destination file system will show. Fortunately it’s a really simple issue to resolve. Why the too large for the destination.

These advanced steps are primarily for system administrators and others who are familiar with the command line. You don't need a bootable installer to upgrade macOS or reinstall macOS, but it can be useful when you want to install on multiple computers without downloading the installer each time.

Download macOS

Sep 25, 2016 I've encountered a problem on my brand new MacBook, but haven't been able to find a solution after working on it for most of today. In a nutshell: When I go to 'About This Mac Storage' the System files were taking up a whopping 90+ GB of my hard drive.

Find the appropriate download link in the upgrade instructions for each macOS version:

macOS Catalina, macOS Mojave, ormacOS High Sierra
Installers for each of these macOS versions download directly to your Applications folder as an app named Install macOS Catalina, Install macOS Mojave, or Install macOS High Sierra. If the installer opens after downloading, quit it without continuing installation. Important: To get the correct installer, download from a Mac that is using macOS Sierra 10.12.5 or later, or El Capitan 10.11.6. Enterprise administrators, please download from Apple, not a locally hosted software-update server.

OS X El Capitan
El Capitan downloads as a disk image. On a Mac that is compatible with El Capitan, open the disk image and run the installer within, named InstallMacOSX.pkg. It installs an app named Install OS X El Capitan into your Applications folder. You will create the bootable installer from this app, not from the disk image or .pkg installer.

Use the 'createinstallmedia' command in Terminal

1. Connect the USB flash drive or other volume that you're using for the bootable installer. Make sure that it has at least 12GB of available storage and is formatted as Mac OS Extended.
2. Open Terminal, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
3. Type or paste one of the following commands in Terminal. These assume that the installer is still in your Applications folder, and MyVolume is the name of the USB flash drive or other volume you're using. If it has a different name, replace MyVolume in these commands with the name of your volume.
   Catalina:*
   Mojave:*
   
   High Sierra:*
   El Capitan:
   
4. Press Return after typing the command.
5. When prompted, type your administrator password and press Return again. Terminal doesn't show any characters as you type your password.
6. When prompted, type Y to confirm that you want to erase the volume, then press Return. Terminal shows the progress as the bootable installer is created.
7. When Terminal says that it's done, the volume will have the same name as the installer you downloaded, such as Install macOS Catalina. You can now quit Terminal and eject the volume.

* If your Mac is using macOS Sierra or earlier, include the --applicationpath argument, similar to the way this argument is used in the command for El Capitan.

Use the bootable installer

After creating the bootable installer, follow these steps to use it:

1. Plug the bootable installer into a compatible Mac.
2. Use Startup Manager or Startup Disk preferences to select the bootable installer as the startup disk, then start up from it. Your Mac will start up to macOS Recovery.
   Learn about selecting a startup disk, including what to do if your Mac doesn't start up from it.
3. Choose your language, if prompted.
4. A bootable installer doesn't download macOS from the Internet, but it does require the Internet to get information specific to your Mac model, such as firmware updates. If you need to connect to a Wi-Fi network, use the Wi-Fi menu in the menu bar.
5. Select Install macOS (or Install OS X) from the Utilities window, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.

Learn more

For more information about the createinstallmedia command and the arguments that you can use with it, make sure that the macOS installer is in your Applications folder, then enter this path in Terminal:

Catalina:

Mojave:

High Sierra:

El Capitan:

Follow the quick tutorial that has SOLVED 'the file is too large for the destination file system'. Roll down to the #complete solutions#.

Video source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jre_Zjhuaoc

Reason for the 'file is too large for the destination file system' error

'Yesterday, when I tried to copy some large files including Windows 10 ISO files, the backup images of my operating system, movies, personal video files, and other data to my 32 GB external hard drive, I received the error message saying 'The file is too large for the destination file system.' I don't know why it happened as there was enough free space on the disk. Can anyone help?'

When facing the 'The file is too large for the destination file system' issue in Windows 10/8/7 or any other previous version, you might not figure out that why you would not be able to copy the file to your external hard drive, USB drive or some other storage devices when there is sufficient free space.

The problem occurs because one of the files you want to transfer is larger than 4 GB and your external hard drive or USB flash drive is using the FAT32 file system, of which the maximum file size is 4GB. There is a built-in limitation in the FAT32 file system: Although the total size of the files you can store on a FAT32 drive could be up to 2TB, you cannot save an individual file that exceeds 4GB on it.

Workable solutions

After figuring out the reason for 'The file is too large for the destination file system' issue, you can fix it in Windows 10/8/7 or any other previous Windows version with ease by converting the file system to NTFS. Here we will introduce you with two easy solutions. We will show you how to use these two solutions to fix 'The file is too large for the destination file system' error with simple steps.

Solution 1: Formatting FAT32 to NTFS for free with Windows built-in feature

Macos File Too Large For Thumb Drive File

Formatting is the easiest way for you to convert FAT32 to NTFS. But it will erase all the existing data on the drive. So, it is recommended only when there are no files on your external hard drive or USB flash drive. If there are files existing on your storage device, you can back them up by manually copying or using free backup software in advance. Here's how to do it for free with Windows built-in format feature.

Step 1: Right-click on the USB drive or external hard drive.

Step 2: Click 'Format'.

File Too Large For Usb Mac

Step 3: Change the type to NTFS.

Done!! Now you have fixed the issue 'The file is too large for the destination file system' and can successfully copy a file larger than 4GB to the external USB drive or hard drive.

Solution 2: Converting FAT32 to NTFS without data loss using third-party software

And if there are important data on your external hard drive or USB drive, you might need a better solution. Converting FAT32 to NTFS without data loss using the partition tool - EaseUS Partition Master, popular third-party partition software is an optimal choice. It allows you to fix 'The file is too large for the destination file system' issue without formatting. The program can work in Windows 10/8/7 or any other previous versions. Here is the guide.

Macos File Too Large For Thumb Drivers

Step 1: Install and launch EaseUS Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2: Select a FAT32 partition, right-click on it and select 'Convert to NTFS'. If you need to convert a storage device such as SD card or USB flash drive to NTFS, insert it into your PC first and repeat the previous operation.

Step 3: Click 'OK' on the pop-up dialog box to continue.

Macos File Too Large For Thumb Drive Mac

Step 4: Go to the upper left corner, click the 'Execute 1 Operation' button and you will see the operation details. Click 'Apply' and 'Finish' when the process completes.

After finishing all the steps, you can convert your USB flash drive, SD card, or external hard drive from FAT32 to NTFS and copy files larger than 4GB successfully.

The Bottom Line

Once you understand 'the file is too large for the destination file system' is caused by the FAT32 file system, the solution is specific: change the file system. If you use the Windows built-in features or utilities to convert the file system, you need to back up the files on the storage device first since the operations will erase the files on your device. Thus, if you want to convert FAT32 to another file system directly without data loss, using EaseUS Partition Master is more advisable for you.