How to convert partiotion into NTFS without format?
Wednesday, 15 April 2009 16:20 | 
This quick tutorial will show you how to convert partition's file system into NTFS without formatting it.
Converting partition's file system from FAT into NTFS improves data security, however before converting you should consider what machines with what operating systems installed will need to have an access to recources on this partition. Remember that an older operating systems like Windows 95/98 will not see NTFS partitions ! For more info about advantages and disadvantages of NTFS click here.
To convert partition into NTFS:
1. Go to menu START>Run and type in cmd and press Enter (or just press simultaneously: WINDOWS+R and type in cmd and press Enter).
2. In Command Prompt type in the command: convert [driveletter]: /fs:NTFS for example:
convert C: /fs:NTFS
IMPORTANT:
- remember that converting partition can be done in one way only. It means that you can convert partition from FAT to NTFS but from NTFS to FAT can be done by reformatting only (all data will be erased).
- in spite of minimal risk of corruption or data lose during conversion, I recommend full backup of data before converting.
- convert.exe require some free space to perform conversion. To find out how much it needs please click here.
During conversion you may see an error message: 'Convert cannot gain exclusive access to the [driveletter]:, so it cannot convert it now. Would you like to schedule it to be converted the next time the system restarts (Y/N)?'
This message may be displayed in one of these cases:
- you are attempting to convert partition from the folder of this partition, for example you want to convert partition C: from C:\> . In such case you can choose YES and partition will be converted at next reboot or change the drive to another (for example: to D:\> ) and type in convert command again.
- if an application has file open on the partition that is to be converted. To solve this you need to close an application using this file or choose YES to convert partition after next reboot. It also applies to files accessed remotely by users over the network or page file resides on this partition.
- if you are attempting to convert partition from which the system is running. You can not convert boot partition when operating system is running. You can choose YES and convert partition at next reboot or alternatively boot the system from Windows Installation Disk and issue the command from disk folder.
Please note: Default NTFS permisions do not apply to converted boot partition. Find out more about NTFS permisions to converted boot partitions here.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 April 2009 18:27 )
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