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Tutorial: How to convert a partition from FAT32 to NTFS

These guidelines are made for Windows 7.

Possible problem examples:

  • You want to download a file on your computer that is bigger than 4GB and then an error occurs?
  • You cannot copy a blue-ray movie from a friend’s harddrive because the file is bigger than 4GB?
  • You cannot copy a file bigger than 4GB on your external backup drive?

The reason is that the specified partition that the file wants to exist on is formated in FAT32.
One solution is to execute a format or you can convert the file system to NTFS.

Always remeber to do a backup!

Let’s start.

Open the Start Menu and write : “cmd” (without the “”)
Right click on the icon and select : “Run as Administrator”
After you approve with “Yes” that you are Administrator a window like this will appear: 


4.  In the command prompt, type convert drive letter: /fs:ntfs and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Substitute drive letter for the drive letter of the FAT or FAT32 drive or partition that you want to convert to NTFS. For example, I want to convert my Pen drive with the drive letter H: , so I would type convert H: /fs:ntfs and press Enter.

Convert drive H:


Find the drive letter.
5. If prompted to Enter current volume label for drive (drive letter) (ex: H: ), then enter the name (ex: NEW VOLUME) of this drive letter as it is displayed in the Computer window and press Enter. 
6. When the conversion to NTFS is complete, you receive the Conversion complete message. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: This may take a while to convert depending on full and large the drive is. It may also seem like it has hung at points, but be patient and let it finish. 
7. Close the command prompt.

I made this handy tutorial a while ago when I worked as Student Support at VIA University College. 
Sharing is caring 😀 so here it is on my blog. 
Enjoy and mind that I can’t be held responsible if you damage a harddrive or lose data. 😛


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