How to convert FAT partition to NTFS in Windows 7
This article explains how to convert the existing hard disk drive or USB drive from FAT32 partition to NTFS partition using Windows XP/Vista/7
How to convert a FAT partition to NTFS in Windows 7
Hard disk partition is to split the drives in order to organize the files in each drives to access the files in an efficient manner. Hard disk can be partitioned into FAT, FAT32 and NTFS.
File Allocation Table (FAT) file system was developed by IBM for MS-DOS and floppy disks. FAT32 is next level of FAT. It does not support a big file which is more than 4 GB, while NTFS (New Technology File System) supports more than 4 GB and NTFS supports up to 2 terabytes in size.Advantages of using NTFS over FAT
Windows 98 or ME will not support NTFS partition. Windows XP/Vista/7 support NTFS and as well as FAT32 partition.
Converting from FAT32 to NTFS is a one way; you cannot revert back to FAT32 from NTFS. You need to format the computer with FAT32 partition and you need to reinstall the operating system.
Windows XP/Vista and 7 is having an option to convert a hard disk volume from FAT32 to NTFS. If the hard disk is in other formats like UDF or CDF then you cannot that volume to NTFS. You need some space on your hard disk in order to convert the partition to NTFS. Before start converting the drive close all the files and application opened from the drive.
Before start converting the disk to NTFS take a back up of the drive data as it might corrupt the data some time. In order to prevent the data loss back up of the important data that you don't want to lose
Open the command prompt with Run as administrator otherwise open the command prompt in elevated mode.
First method
In order to open the command prompt in elevated mode click the Windows start button and type cmd in search text box and press Ctrl + shift + enter will show a popup window and click OK button to open the command prompt in elevated mode.
Second Method
In order to open the command prompt in elevated mode click the Windows start button and type cmd in search button and cmd will be listed in the list and right click the cmd and select Run as administrator will open the command prompt in elevated mode.
In command prompt type convert drive letter with colon /fs:ntfs and hit the enter button (check the below screenshot)
Sometimes it will ask for the label name for the drive then enter the new volume name and continue the NTFS conversion. Once the conversion is completed you will receive the completion message along with the size of the volume. The conversion will take some time depends on the size of the volume.
In order to check the converted drive by selecting the drive and right click the mouse button on the drive and select the properties of the drive will show the drive format as NTFS.
