How to Convert a Flash Drive From FAT to NTFS in Vista
When you buy a flash drive in the store, it is automatically formatted in the FAT or FAT32 file format. FAT, and FAT32, use less space, but NTFS allows you to set security and permissions on your drive. NTFS also allows you to copy larger files to the drive. You may have tried to reformat the drive to NTFS, without success. This is because flash drives need to be optimized in order to accept the NTFS format. Optimizing the drive is very simple and once it's done you can then format your drive to whichever format you prefer.
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Instructions
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Optimizing the Flash Drive
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Insert the drive into an open USB port. Allow the system to recognize the drive and install drivers, if necessary.
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Click on the Windows button on the Start Bar, left-click on Computer, right-click on your USB Drive and select "Properties." Some USB Drives have partitions, so you may see two USB drives listed in your computer. Right-click and select "Properties" on both drives.
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Move the properties windows so they are side-by-side. If you only have one USB partition, you can skip this step.
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Click on the Hardware tab the properties window and select your USB drive from the list of disk drives. On drives with two partitions the window may list the same drive name twice. Select one of the drives in one window, and the other drive in the other window.
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Click the "Properties" button in each window and a new properties window should launch. Click "Change Settings." Vista may prompt you to give permission to make changes. Click continue and the new properties window will refresh. If you do not have a "Change Settings" button, skip this step.
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Click on the "Policies" tab in the new properties window, select "Optimize for Performance" and click "OK." A new window should open showing the contents of your USB drive. If you have partitions, both partitions should open.
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Close the open partition windows and click "OK" on any open properties windows. Your flash drive is now optimized and ready to format.
Formatting the Flash Drive
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Click on the Windows button on the start bar, left-click on Computer, right-click on your USB Drive and select "Format." Some USB Drives have partitions so you may see two USB drives listed in your computer. Right-click and select "Format" on both drives.
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Select "NTFS" from the drop-down in the format screen and click on "Quick Format."
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Click "Start" and let the drive format. Your drive is now ready for use.
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Tips & Warnings
Formatting will completely erase your flash drive. If you have any data you wish to keep, be sure to back it up before formatting the drive.
