Fat32 to NTFS

Another way to do it is to use the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyser which gives information on FAT32, FAT and NTFS systems with pros and cons (almost all pros in ths case of NTFS). It also tells you how to convert your file system without losing data. You can find all this at the following URL:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/guidance/tools/default.mspx

There is also a lot of other useful stuff at that site and links to various useful material.

The Baseline Security Analyser will run a test on your computer and recommend action you should take.

Converting to NTFS Using Convert.exe
A partition can also be converted after Setup by using Convert.exe. For more information about Convert.exe, after completing Setup, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press ENTER. In the command window, type help convert, and then press ENTER.

It is easy to convert partitions to NTFS. The Setup program makes conversion easy, whether your partitions used FAT, FAT32, or the older version of NTFS. This kind of conversion keeps your files intact (unlike formatting a partition.

To find out more information about Convert.exe
1.
After completing Setup, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press ENTER.

2.
In the command window, type help convert and then press ENTER. Information about converting FAT volumes to NTFS is made available as shown below.


Converting FAT volumes to NTFS



To convert a volume to NTFS from the command prompt
1.
Open Command Prompt. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.

2.
In the command prompt window, type: convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs


For example, typing convert D: /fs:ntfs would format drive D: with the ntfs format. You can convert FAT or FAT32 volumes to NTFS with this command.

Important Once you convert a drive or partition to NTFS, you cannot simply convert it back to FAT or FAT32. You will need to reformat the drive or partition which will erase all data, including programs and personal files, on the partition.