Windows 7 - Converting External HD from Fat 32 to NTFS

Tram 1 · 05-24-2009

Can't believe this but I have just discovered my external back up HD is fat 32.

I know in XP I could run a command line from the run box to convert to NTFS.

I did try this, I'm using Win 7 with run enabled but no joy, can I convert this HD from within the Win 7 environment?

I wish to convert but not loose any data.

**Brink** · 05-24-2009

Hello Tram,

You should be able to use the same command convert C: /fs:ntfs to do this with. Substitute C: for the drive letter of the external drive. I just tested it on a USB flash key in Windows 7 (7127 build) in a elevated command prompt, and it worked without a problem.

Converting External HD from Fat 32 to NTFS-command.jpg

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Tram 1 · 05-25-2009

Thanks Shawn, that went just fine.

**Brink** · 05-25-2009

You're welcome Tram. I'm happy to hear that it work for you.

**eVox** · 05-25-2009

wait, wat. You can convert FSs?
I hope for the 3 hours I spent copying and formatting yesterday that this wouldn't work with HFSJ to NTFS.

**Brink** · 05-25-2009

It will only work for FAT (FAT16) or FAT32 to NTFS, but will not work for NTFS to anything else.

**gheeD** · 08-12-2009

I'm gonna borrow this thread. So, i have my 1TB buffalo external, but ofcourse buffalo has formatted it into FAT32, and now i have ~500 gb in it, so can copy + format + paste them. So, i did it all that the tutorial said, but after when i type convert g: /fs:ntfs and press enter, it says: enter current volume for drive G:. Where i can see what is the volumenumber for my external HD? i tried, 0, 1.. nope. didnt work. Any help?

Thanks.

**chuckr** · 08-12-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by gheeD

I'm gonna borrow this thread. So, i have my 1TB buffalo external, but ofcourse buffalo has formatted it into FAT32, and now i have ~500 gb in it, so can copy + format + paste them. So, i did it all that the tutorial said, but after when i type convert g: /fs:ntfs and press enter, it says: enter current volume for drive G:. Where i can see what is the volumenumber for my external HD? i tried, 0, 1.. nope. didnt work. Any help?

Thanks.

Are you sure he didn't say "Enter volume name for drive G:", thus letting you change the volume label ?

**gheeD** · 08-13-2009

Thanks. Now i got it to work, it said volume label.. of course...

**Brink** · 02-03-2010

Hello Ex3r, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, it's safe to use the method below to convert a FAT32 HDD to NTFS without losing anything on it. However, you should always backup anything that you do not want to lose to be extra safe. You never know if you could lose power or something in the middle of it converting.

Convert FAT or FAT32 Volume to NTFS

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Windows 7 - Converting External HD from Fat 32 to NTFS

Converting External HD from Fat 32 to NTFS problems?