• How to convert a FAT volume or a FAT32 volume to NTFS

    How to convert a FAT volume or a FAT32 volume to NTFS

    1. Close any open programs running on the partition or logical drive to be converted.
    2. Click the Start button Picture of the Start button, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
    3. At the command prompt, type the following, where drive letteris the drive that you want to convert:
      convert drive letter: /fs:ntfs

      For example, type the following command to convert drive E to NTFS:

      convert e: /fs:ntfs

      Note If the operating system is on the drive that you are converting, you will be prompted to schedule the task when you restart the computer because the conversion cannot be completed while the operating system is running. When you are prompted, click YES.

    4. When you receive the following message at the command prompt, type the volume label of the drive that you are converting, and then press ENTER:
      The type of the file system is FAT.
      Enter the current volume label for drive drive letter
    5. When the conversion to NTFS is complete, you receive the following message at the command prompt:
      Conversion complete
    6. Quit the command prompt.

    If the partition you are converting contains system files—which would be the case if you are converting your entire hard disk—you will need to restart your computer for the conversion to take place. If your disk is almost full, the conversion process might not succeed. If you receive an error, try deleting unnecessary files, or back up files to another location, to free up disk space.

    Notes

    • After you convert a partition to NTFS, you cannot convert it back. If you want to use the FAT file system on the partition again, you’ll need to reformat the partition, and this will erase all data on it.
    • Some earlier versions of Windows cannot read data on local NTFS partitions. If you need to use an earlier version of Windows to access a partition on the computer, do not convert it.
    • Although the chance of corruption or data loss during a conversion is minimal, you should back up all data on the partition before you begin.

    Useful Links:
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881

    Categories: Windows

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