A specific type of FAT (File Allocation Table) format designed to expand the capacities and capabilities of hard drives used in a Windows operating environment. It has all but replaced the old FAT-16 format used before. FAT-32 was created as a quick-fix to the problem of computers shipping with hard drives over 2 GB. Prior to FAT-32, computer manufacturers had to messily split hard drives into multiple partitions under 2 GB in size apiece. FAT-32 allows for much larger partitions and has a number of other advantages.
