How Do I Convert My FAT32 File System To NTFS

Windows XP supports two types of files system, FAT32 and NTFS. Of the two, the NTFS is by far the more secure. Unfortunately, your operating system may have been installed using the FAT32 files system and now, after some considerable thought, you may decide that you really want an NTFS file system. This doesn't present a problem to Windows XP although you should be aware of a few important points.

On Converting you may loose files. You are warned about this when you begin the conversion. Another point is, do not covert if you have a multi-boot system containing Windows 98, 98 or Me. If you do have these operating systems and you decide to convert you will be unable to start the previous versions of Windows. If you need to multi boot with these operating systems and you still want an NTFS file system you would be advised to completely reinstall Windows XP and, at the format stage, select that the partition be formatted in NTFS.

1/ Click the Start Button

2/ Next click All programs, followed by Accessories

3/ In the Accessories drop down menu select Command Prompt

4/ At the Command Prompt type: Vol C:

5/ You should now see the following information:

Volume in drive C: is XP Home (or whichever version of XP you have)

Volume Serial Number is FF47-80EB (obviously yours will not be the same, but you get the general idea)

7/ Make a note of the Volume in drive details and the Volume serial number.

8/At the Command Prompt type: convert c: /fs:ntfs (Replace the c: with whatever drive letter you are converting)

9/ Press Enter

10/ When asked for the Volume Label for drive C: type XP Home (or XP Pro depending upon your current operating system)

11/ Press Enter

12/ Because you are converting the C: drive (this contains the operating system), a message will appear informing you that the drive cannot be converted. You will then be given the option of scheduling a conversion the next time you boot your machine.

13/ Schedule the conversion and reboot

14/ After rebooting the conversion should proceed as normal.

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