How to convert FAT16 or FAT32 partition to NTFS without formatting in Windows
Consider the following things before proceeding:
- A partition cannot be converted from NTFS to FAT32 directly from windows without formatting unless partitioning software is used and most of the time it is not successful.
- If trying to convert C: or the System Partition the computer will require restarting.
- If no files are to be retained on the partition to be converted it is best to just format it.
- The conversion process requires some free space on the partition in order to convert it.
- It is best to backup any important files before conversion.
- MS Windows 98, MS Windows ME and Earlier do not support NTFS, hence they cannot access them.
- The conversion process will take a few minutes to complete.
Reasons why you should convert to NTFS:
- NTFS is the preferred file system for all computers running MS Windows XP, MS Windows Vista and MS Windows 7, it is also recommended by Microsoft.
- The capability to recover from some disk-related errors automatically, which FAT32 cannot.
- Improved support for larger hard disks.
- Better security because you can use permissions and encryption to restrict access to specific files to approved users.
- NTFS volumes are more reliable.
- On NTFS volumes there is a less chance of files corruption than FAT.
Available Features on NTFS
- File encryption allows you to protect files and folders from unauthorized access.
- Permissions can be set on individual files, as well as on folders.
- Disk quotas allow you to monitor and control the amount of disk space used by individual users.
- Better scalability allows you to use large volumes. The maximum volume size for NTFS is much greater than it is for FAT. Additionally, NTFS performance does not degrade as volume size increases, as it does in FAT systems.
- Recovery logging of disk activities helps restore information quickly in the event of power failure or other system problems.
- Mounted Drives
- File Compression
- Distributed Link Tracking
- Sparse Files
- Multiple Data Streams
- POSIX Compliance
- NTFS Change Journal
- POSIX Compliance
- Indexing Service
- Multiple-Booting with other operating systems that needs access to the existing partition.
Follow these steps to convert an existing FAT or FAT32 volume to NTFS:
Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt > type convert drive letter: /fs:ntfs (Example: convert d: /fs:ntfs > Enter > Conversion Complete > type exit > Enter
Start > Run > type cmd > Enter or OK > type convert drive letter: /fs:ntfs (Example: convert d: /fs:ntfs > Enter
Additional step for the operating system partition or C:
convert c: /fs:ntfs > Enter > when prompted to schedule press Y to continue
Additional step for the partitions that have a volume label
convert c: /fs:ntfs > Enter > when prompted to Enter the current volume label for drive type the label name
For the Following error
Convert cannot gain exclusive access to the drive letter drive, so it cannot convert it now. Would you like to schedule it to be converted the next time the system restarts?
Press Y to continue
The partition volume or drive will be converted the next time the computer restarts.
For the Following error
Convert cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Convert may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Would you like to force a dismount on this volume?
Quit all the programs that are using the files on the drive
Press Y to continue
For the Following error
Convert cannot gain exclusive access to the drive letter drive, so it cannot convert it now. Would you like to schedule it to be converted the next time the system restarts?
Press Y to continue
The partition volume or drive will be converted the next time the computer restarts.
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