How to Convert Hard Drive to NTFS
The way a computer stores and organizes files is called a file system. FAT32 and NTFS are types of file systems, FAT32 being the older type. Computers since Windows NT have come with the NTFS file system, which in comparison to FAT32, offers improved performance, security, and reliability features. NTFS also supports drives and partitions larger than 32GB. Hard drives larger than 32GB will require NTFS if you wish to use the entire drive for a Windows install. The conversion process is easy and should not discernibly effect your files and data. Covered in this article will be the hardware setup for the majority of users, a one hard drive computer, and the drive is named C:. But the instructions will vary only slightly to be adapted for different drive letters or computers with multiple drives.
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Instructions
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Converting FAT32 to NTFS
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If you don't know or want to be sure what file system your computer has you can check by opening "My Computer" icon on your desktop, right click your C: drive, from the menu that emerges select Properties. The file system type will be located on the left about ¼ way down.
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To convert your C: drive from a FAT32 to NTFS file system;
Go Start Menu, select RUN, in the box that comes up type in CMD
Click Ok button. -
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When the command prompt (a black window) opens type in convert c: /fs:ntfs
then press the enter key on your keyboard. -
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Now you may be asked some questions in the CMD window.
If asked would you like to schedule the task when you restart your computer, or dismount the drive, press "y" key on keyboard for Yes. -
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When asked for the Volume label, type in a name for the volume (8 or less letters or numbers.)
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Reboot the computer if needed then wait. The disk will be verified the file system then determine the disk space needed. When the conversion is complete you will see the message "Conversion complete "
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Tips & Warnings
Convert.exe requires some free space on your hard drive to operate. If you do not have enough, the conversion can't be done. This will not harm anything, the program will just terminate.
Once the drive is converted you will have to reformat to return to a FAT32 system. A reformat will mean erasing all your files. This conversion should not harm any files on your computer but always backup your data before attempting any procedure like this.
