Seeing the error message “The File Size Exceeds The Limit Allowed And Cannot Be Saved” in Windows 10 can be frustrating, especially when you are trying to copy, move, download, save, or back up important files. This error usually appears when Windows, a storage device, a network location, or a specific application cannot handle the size of the file you are attempting to save. Large video files, disk images, virtual machine files, backups, and high-resolution media files commonly trigger this problem.
In many cases, the issue is not caused by the file itself but by limitations imposed by the file system, storage format, network settings, browser restrictions, or application configurations. For example, a USB drive formatted with FAT32 cannot store a single file larger than 4 GB, even if the drive has plenty of free space available. Similarly, some network shares and applications have their own file size restrictions.
Fortunately, Windows 10 provides several ways to resolve this issue. In this guide, you will learn the most effective methods to fix the “The File Size Exceeds The Limit Allowed And Cannot Be Saved” error and successfully save large files without problems.
Why Does This Error Appear?
Before applying fixes, it is helpful to understand the common causes of the problem.
Some of the most frequent reasons include:
- The storage drive uses the FAT32 file system.
- The destination drive lacks sufficient free space.
- Network share file size limitations.
- Application-specific save restrictions.
- Corrupted file system errors.
- Cloud storage upload limitations.
- Group Policy restrictions.
- File compression or encryption problems.
- Damaged storage devices.
- Temporary Windows glitches.
Identifying the cause can help you choose the most appropriate solution.
Method 1: Check Available Disk Space
One of the simplest causes of this error is insufficient storage space on the destination drive. Even if the file size appears smaller than the available space, temporary files and system overhead can require additional room during the save process.
Follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click This PC.
- Check the available free space on the destination drive.
- Compare the available space with the size of the file you want to save.
If the drive is nearly full:
- Delete unnecessary files.
- Empty the Recycle Bin.
- Move files to another drive.
- Run Disk Cleanup.
To use Disk Cleanup:
- Press Windows + S.
- Type Disk Cleanup.
- Open the utility.
- Select the drive.
- Check temporary files and unnecessary items.
- Click OK.
After freeing storage space, try saving the file again.
Method 2: Convert FAT32 Drive To NTFS
This is one of the most common fixes. FAT32 has a maximum single-file size limit of 4 GB. If your file exceeds that size, Windows will refuse to save it.
To check the file system:
- Open File Explorer.
- Right-click the drive.
- Select Properties.
- Check the File System field.
If it shows FAT32, convert it to NTFS.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + X.
- Select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
- Enter:
convert D: /fs:ntfsReplace D: with the correct drive letter.
- Press Enter.
- Wait for the conversion process to complete.
NTFS supports extremely large files and eliminates the 4 GB limitation found in FAT32.
After conversion, try saving the file again.
Method 3: Save The File To A Different Drive
Sometimes the issue is limited to a specific storage device rather than Windows itself.
Try saving the file to:
- Another internal drive.
- A different SSD or HDD.
- Another USB flash drive.
- An external hard drive.
- A different folder location.
If the file saves successfully elsewhere, the original storage device may have file system corruption, permission problems, or hardware issues.
Testing another location helps isolate the source of the error.
Method 4: Repair File System Errors
Storage corruption can prevent Windows from saving large files correctly.
Windows includes a built-in disk checking tool that scans and repairs file system problems.
Follow these steps:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Run:
chkdsk C: /fReplace C: with the affected drive letter.
- Press Enter.
- Confirm the scan if prompted.
- Restart the computer.
Windows will scan the drive and repair detected errors.
After the repair completes, attempt to save the file again.
Method 5: Check Network Share Limitations
If you are saving files to a shared folder on another computer or server, the network destination may impose file size limits.
Verify the following:
- The server has enough free storage.
- The network connection is stable.
- File quota restrictions are not enabled.
- The server file system supports large files.
- Network storage permissions are configured properly.
If possible:
- Save the file locally first.
- Copy it to the network location afterward.
This often bypasses temporary transfer-related restrictions.
Method 6: Disable File Compression Temporarily
Compressed folders or compressed drives can occasionally interfere with saving very large files.
To disable compression:
- Right-click the destination folder.
- Select Properties.
- Click Advanced.
- Uncheck: Compress contents to save disk space
- Click OK.
- Apply the changes.
Then attempt the save operation again.
If the file saves correctly, compression settings may have been contributing to the problem.
Method 7: Use A Different File Format
Certain applications impose their own file size restrictions based on the selected file format.
For example:
- Some image formats have maximum size limitations.
- Older database formats have file size caps.
- Legacy archive formats may restrict large files.
When possible:
- Save using a modern format.
- Export to a different file type.
- Use updated file standards.
Examples include:
- ZIP instead of older archive formats.
- NTFS-compatible backup formats.
- Modern video containers such as MP4 or MKV.
- Updated database formats.
Changing formats often resolves application-specific save limitations.
Method 8: Split The File Into Smaller Parts
If you must save a very large file to a destination that has unavoidable size restrictions, splitting the file may help.
Many archive utilities support file splitting.
Popular tools include:
Using these tools, you can:
- Divide large files into multiple segments.
- Transfer the smaller parts individually.
- Recombine them later.
This approach is particularly useful when working with older storage devices or restricted systems.
Method 9: Run System File Checker
Corrupted Windows system files can occasionally interfere with file-saving operations.
To scan Windows:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Run:
sfc /scannow- Press Enter.
- Wait for the scan to complete.
Afterward, run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthAllow both tools to finish.
Restart Windows and test the file-saving operation again.
Method 10: Update Windows 10
Outdated Windows components can sometimes cause unexpected storage or file-handling problems.
To update Windows:
- Press Windows + I.
- Open Update & Security.
- Click Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates.
- Install available updates.
- Restart the computer.
Updates often contain fixes for file system bugs, storage handling issues, and compatibility problems.
Method 11: Check Cloud Storage Limitations
If you are saving files directly to cloud storage services, upload restrictions may be the cause.
Some cloud providers limit:
- Maximum upload size.
- Individual file size.
- Available storage capacity.
- Free account quotas.
Check:
- Remaining cloud storage space.
- Upload limits.
- Account restrictions.
If necessary:
- Upgrade the storage plan.
- Compress the file.
- Split the file into smaller parts.
Then retry the upload.
Method 12: Verify Folder Permissions
Lack of write permissions can sometimes generate misleading file-saving errors.
To check permissions:
- Right-click the destination folder.
- Select Properties.
- Open the Security tab.
- Choose your user account.
- Verify that Write and Modify permissions are allowed.
If permissions are missing:
- Click Edit.
- Grant the required permissions.
- Apply the changes.
Then try saving the file again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the “The File Size Exceeds The Limit Allowed And Cannot Be Saved” error?
The most common cause is attempting to save a file larger than 4 GB on a FAT32 drive. Other causes include insufficient disk space, network restrictions, storage corruption, cloud limits, or application-specific file size restrictions.
How do I check whether my drive uses FAT32?
Open File Explorer, right-click the drive, select Properties, and check the File System field. If it displays FAT32, files larger than 4 GB cannot be stored on that drive.
Will converting FAT32 to NTFS erase my files?
Using the built-in Convert command normally preserves existing files and data. However, creating a backup before making file system changes is always recommended.
Can a USB flash drive cause this error?
Yes. Many USB drives are formatted as FAT32 by default, which limits individual file sizes to 4 GB regardless of available free space.
How do I fix the error when saving to a network folder?
Verify available storage, permissions, server quotas, and network stability. Saving locally first and then copying the file often helps.
Can corrupted Windows files trigger this issue?
Yes. Damaged system files can interfere with storage operations. Running SFC and DISM scans can repair Windows components and resolve the problem.
Final Thoughts
The “The File Size Exceeds The Limit Allowed And Cannot Be Saved” error in Windows 10 is usually related to file system restrictions, storage limitations, network constraints, or application-specific save limits. While the message may appear alarming, the underlying cause is often straightforward and can be fixed using built-in Windows tools.
For most users, checking available storage space and converting FAT32 drives to NTFS provides the quickest solution. NTFS supports significantly larger files and removes the common 4 GB file-size restriction that affects many USB drives and external storage devices. Other methods such as repairing disk errors, verifying permissions, updating Windows, and checking network or cloud storage restrictions can also help resolve the issue.
By following the solutions outlined in this guide, you should be able to identify the source of the problem and successfully save large files without encountering the error again. Regularly maintaining your storage devices and using modern file systems will also help prevent similar issues in the future.
