To a NTFS partition which is larger than 32GB, you cannot reformat it to FAT32 with any Windows built-in tool. If you don't like to use 3rd party software, you have to reformat this NTFS partition.įormatting will destroy all data in this partition, so remember to back up or transfer files before doing this. It seems a bit complicated, but it is very easy to convert partition from NTFS to FAT32 with free partition software such as NIUBI Partition Editor Free.
![changing file system without formatting changing file system without formatting](https://www.diskpart.com/tutorials/images/convert-filesystem-fat32-to-ntfs/convert-e.gif)
#Changing file system without formatting full#
NTFS (NT file system, also called as New Technology File System) is a newer file system that came after FAT, thus it has some advantages including but not full listed: The files that larger than 4GB can’t be saved to FAT32 partition. When you write a new file to a hard disk, the file is stored in one or more clusters that are not necessarily next to each other. When you read a file, the Operating System get the file list and locate file location via the table, and then get the entire data zone and other info. However, all versions of Windows still support FAT16/32 and it's common for removable disks to use this type of file system.įAT works like a chain and the Operating System maintains a hard disk by providing a map of the clusters (the basic units of logical storage on a hard disk). The FAT (File Allocation Table) file system was the primary file system in Microsoft's older operating systems and, for the most part, NTFS has replaced it.
#Changing file system without formatting install#
NTFS partition cannot be recognized by Mac except you install some special utility. Many people have Mac laptop and Windows desktop, if you want to transfer files via removable hard disk, partitions of this disk must be formatted as FAT32. The typical example is that some NTFS USB disc or removable hard drive are not recognized. However, sometimes you have to convert NTFS partition to FAT32.
![changing file system without formatting changing file system without formatting](https://www.diskgenius.com/how-to/img/convert-is-not-available-for-raw-drives-10.png)
Because of some advantages, NTFS is much more popular no matter formatting disk partition DIY or from OEM manufacturers. Both NTFS and FAT32 are common file system in Windows computers.