No matter how much experience you have in the technical field, knowing everything is not possible. Learning is something that goes on continuously, even when you are an expert. Many people canât decide which file system is perfect for a storage device. For such people, we created this article to help them in making the correct decision. Besides, if you donât know the right way to convert a file system like fat32 to NTFS, then this article will be a great help for you.
Part 1: FAT32 vs. NTFS
Windows operating system uses two file systems, including FAT (File Allocation Table) and NTFS (New Technology File System). The Microsoft designed FAT32 in 1977. It is excellent for removable storage devices such as portable devices, Smart TVs, and digital cameras. FAT32 is known for representing the fundamental units of logical storage on a hard drive in a file system. However, this file system comes with certain limitations. It offers some advantages and disadvantages as well. Therefore, it would be better if you will convert fat32 to NTFS.
NTFS is used widely in Windows due to its robustness and reliability. It provides more benefits than fat32 can. NTFS is compatible with large files, and it comes packed with the latest features. This can fix errors and crashes quickly by working as a change journal. If you want the drive only for the Windows environment, NTFS is the best option. There is plenty of difference between fat32 and NTFS that you can view in the table below:
FAT32 | NTFS |
---|---|
Automatically repair damaged file or folders | It keeps two copies of FAT in case of any damage |
Permits shared permission | Allow set permissions |
No compression of files and folder is allowed | Individual compression is allowed |
Readable and writeable on MacOS | Only Readable for Mac users |
The maximum file size is 4GB | No limit on file size |
Part 2: How to convert fat32 to NTFS
You can try these simple methods given here to convert fat32 to NTFS:
1. Convert FAT32 to NTFS without Losing Data Using CMD
Itâs not necessary to use sophisticated tools to convert fat32 to NTFS. The in-built feature of the Command prompt is enough to help you. It allows switching from fat32 to NTFS.
Step 1: You can start the command prompt by right-clicking on the âWindowsâ icon and choose âSearchâ. Type âCommand Promptâ in the appeared search box. Right-click on âCMDâ and then click on âRun as administrator.â Sign in with the administrator account and password if needed.
Step 2: Type âhelp convertâ and hit on the âEnterâ key. It will give you the info on how to convert FAT volumes to another one.
Step 3: Type the command “convert G: /ntfs:and press the âEnterâ key. Make sure to replace G: with the letter of your storage drive or partition. Wait and type âexitâ after the conversion process finishes. Type exit when the converting process completes. The file system of the targeted device is NTFS.
2. Convert FAT32 to NTFS without Data Loss with AOMEI Partition Assistant
AOMEI Partition Assistant 1 is packed with the potential of converting FAT32 to NTFS without causing any loss of the data. It is the perfect disk management tool containing more than 30 functions. Moreover, it can handle and fix a plethora of problems. It can also help in migrating OS to SSD, converting disk between MBR and GBT, and so on. The best part is that this tool is free to use. You have to follow the given instruction to convert fat32 to NTFS without losing data:
Step 1: Install and Launch
Before doing anything else, download and install the tool and run it. You will see the above interface as shown. Seek for the âNTFS to FAT32 Converterâ option and click on it.
Step 2: Select the right option
When the pop-up dialog box appears on the screen, select âFAT32 to NTFSâ and not to the option as we have shown above. After that, click on âNext.â
Step 3: Convert
Choose the partition that you wish to convert. On the screen, you will receive advice to check the partition with chkdsk.exe before proceeding further. When everything seems fine” click on âProceedâ and wait for the conversion guide to respond and execute.
3. Convert FAT32 to NTFS by Formatting (data loss)
After trying both of the above methods, you can try formatting. This is the last option that we want to suggest. Although it will lead to data loss, this is the best way to convert fat32 to NTFS. Format the storage device from fat32 to NTFS but do not forget to take the backup of everything stored in it. There are mainly three methods for formatting and converting fat32 to NTFS.
1. File Explorer
Step 1: Take your external storage device to PC and run âWindows File Explorer.â
Step 2: Find and right-click on the targeted device; choose âFormat.â.
Step 3: Now, you need to tick the âQuick Formatâ, and change the file system as âNTFS.â Click on âStartâ to initiate the formatting. When the formatting ends, close the window.
2. CMD
Step 1: Go to the âSearchâ box and type CMD to open command prompts. After that, click on “Run as Administrator.
Step 2: Start typing âDiskpartâ command and press âEnterâ
Step 3: Now, on the command prompt windows, write the following commands. Press âEnterâ after typing command every command.
- List disk
- Select disk 2 (2 must be replaced with your USB disk number)
- List volume
- Select volume 10 (10 must be replaced with the volume number of the flash drive you wish to format)
- Format fs = fat32quick
Step 4:Â At the end, Type âexitâ and press”Enter” close the DiskPart window when it gives you the successful format
3. Windows Disk Management
Before formatting with disk management, you have to connect the external hard drive or flash drive to the PC and then follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to âThis PCâ or âMy Computerâ and right-click on it, choose âManage.â
Step 2: Navigate to the âDevice Managerâ and click on âDisk Management.â
Step 3: Run”Disk Management” and right-click on the targeted device. Click on âFormat.â
Step 4. Select âNTFSâ for the selected device and tick âQuick Format.â At last, click on âOKâ to confirm.image689Ă546 100 KB
The Bottom Line
These methods to convert fat32 to ntfscmd are not for a novice. However, the instructions are so clearly explained that anyone can try them. Besides, we should be thankful for the tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant that does things according to you. This tool prevents data loss while attempting to convert fat32 to NTFS. It is worthy of striving for this free partition manager. (Source: recoverit)
Happy learning!