Convert FAT32 to NTFS

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An article in PC World suggests a relatively easy way to convert Windows XP
from FAT32 to NTFS:
See: < http://pcworld.com/article/id,127734-page,4-c,xp/article.html > which
states:
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If you've been hanging onto your old FAT32 hard-disk format, it's high time
you switched to NTFS. Besides being faster and more secure, NTFS also gives
you encryption, folder and disk compression, and other superior features.
About the only reason to stick with FAT or FAT32 is if you need to be able
to access your disk from DOS or Windows 98 (puh-leaze!)
Don't worry; you can switch to NTFS without reformatting your hard disk and
restoring your apps and data from a backup. Just choose Start, Run, type
cmd.exe, and press <Enter> to open a Command Prompt window. Now type convert
followed by a space, the drive letter, a colon, another space, and finally
/fs:ntfs. For example, enter convert c: /fs:ntfs if you want to convert your
C: drive to NTFS.
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A few months ago I purchased a new notebook with XP MCE2005 that uses the
FAT32 format and my questions are "should I convert it to NTFS?", "should
any precautions be taken?" and "is there any risk?".


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Converting system partition to NTFS
    ... For some reason the Acer laptop I bought around 18 months ago came with FAT32 and not NTFS as expected, and I have been thinking of converting it to NTFS for some time. ... "...so that you can repair or troubleshoot via command line because your GUI won't boot up" is not a very compelling reason to install Windows XP on FAT32, this is a notion perpetuated by well meaning Windows 9x users who think that FAT32 is better because it allows you to boot to DOS and access your disk if you run into problems. ... But my system partition is running out of space. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Want to start from scratch but problems when I reboot
    ... aware that NTFS partitions will not display as such when using FDisk. ... All partitions you create will be FAT or FAT32 ... and XP will install on such a partition. ... running Windows XP: NTFS, FAT, and FAT32. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: error Unauthorized window was detect while running the Media Center Experience, Media Center, wi
    ... Windows off a FAT32 drive; it may sound weird, but it does make a difference ... switching to NTFS resolved the issue. ... > but for the typical end user, backing up data files is used more. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: New HDD - should I convert file system?
    ... Good wishes, Adrian (Francododds) ... In other words, if you had an 80GB FAT32 drive in a Windows 98 box and if you were to install that drive in the Windows XP box, Windows XP would see and read/write to it without any problems. ... System Restore cannot change the file system, for all intents and purposes unless you use third party tools the NTFS conversion is irreversible. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: New HDD - should I convert file system?
    ... In other words, if you had an 80GB FAT32 drive in a Windows 98 box and if you were to install that drive in the Windows XP box, Windows XP would see and read/write to it without any problems. ... System Restore cannot change the file system, for all intents and purposes unless you use third party tools the NTFS conversion is irreversible. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)