Method To Convert FAT To NTFS Without Losing Data

NTFS(NT File System) is the standard file system for Microsoft’s Windows OS. Its because NTFS file system will provide more stability, security and less fragmentation than the previous FAT(File Allocation Table) file system used in OS like MS-DOS,Windows 98,Windows ME etc. NTFS is the recommended file system for Windows XP & Vista OS because it’s is more powerful and includes some features required for hosting Active Directory as well as other important security features than FAT or FAT32 file systems.

NTFS(NT File System) is the standard file system for Microsoft’s Windows OS. Its because NTFS file system will provide more stability, security and less fragmentation than the previous FAT(File Allocation Table) file system used in OS like MS-DOS,Windows 98,Windows ME etc. NTFS is the recommended file system for Windows XP & Vista OS because it’s is more powerful and includes some features required for hosting Active Directory as well as other important security features than FAT or FAT32 file systems.

Windows Vista needed NTFS file system for installation and won't install on a FAT partition. Conversion of a partition from FAT or FAT32 to NTFS can be done by using an inbuilt utility(convert.exe) in the Windows XP OS. So if you want improve your computer security features and faster data encryption, just convert it to NTFS.

For converting a FAT partition to NTFS, You should do the following steps.

• Click Start > Programs > Accessories > click Command Prompt.
• Type: convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs in the command prompt window
• Then the inbuilt utility, convert.exe will convert the drive to NTFS.

For example: Running the command as E: /fs:ntfs will format drive E: and convert it to NTFS format.Using this command you can convert FAT or FAT32 volumes to NTFS
Warning:

• This conversion is a one-way conversion which means that once you convert a drive or partition to NTFS, you cann't simply convert it back to FAT or FAT32. For that you have to reformat the drive or partition which will erase all data on the partition.
• Make sure that there is a minimum of 3% free space left on hard disk drive partitions for a proper conversion.

Note:

• The chance of corruption or data loss during the conversion from FAT to NTFS is less, it is safe to make a full backup of the data on the drive.