Sharing > 2 TBs HDDs in Windows XP 32-bit

[maiki]

I have read that you cannot access a hard drive larger than 2 TBs in Windows XP 32-bit system. Because of the limitation of the MBR NTFS file system. And that the GPT NTFS is needed and that is included only in 64-bit version of Windows XP.

My question:

Is it however possible to work with a HDD larger than 2 TBs in Windows XP 32-bit if the HDD is shared over LAN network? I mean the HDD is installed on a system like 64-bit Windows XP and I connect to it from 32-bit Windows XP. Thank you for your answer.

 

[RealBeast]

Yes, you can share larger volumes. It is not Windows XP that limits you to 2Tb, but rather the MBR partition table, which only allows 32 bits in the total sectors field. Windows XP limits you to 2^32 - 1 clusters for NTFS volumes. Either GPT or dynamic volumes must be used on drives that are larger rather than MBR.

 

[Hawkeye22]

Also, XP 32 bit can't use gpt disks.

Windows Disk Support
Q. Can Windows XP x64 read, write, and boot from GPT disks?

A. Windows XP x64 Edition can use GPT disks for data only.

Q. Can the 32-bit version of Windows XP read, write, and boot from GPT disks?

A. No. The 32-bit version will see only the Protective MBR. The EE partition will not be mounted or otherwise exposed to application software.


http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg463525