Full Guide: Convert/Change File System to NTFS, FAT32, EXT2, or EXT3 Without Losing Data
How to Convert the File System to NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3
Storage devices become RAW, making it impossible to access important data. To resolve this, you need a file system converter to convert the file system to a compatible format like NTFS, FAT32, EXT2, or EXT3.
If you're facing issues with your hard drive, partition, USB flash drive, memory SD card, or need to access a storage device that's become RAW, I can help. You can convert the file system to a unique format to install new games on your PC without losing any data. Just let me know how I can assist you! (Note: I removed the question at the end as it's not necessary in a rewritten paragraph)
Easy and effective methods are available here to help you convert and change file systems for storage devices. You can now follow the five methods below to change or convert the file system.
- 1. Convert to NTFS/FAT32 Without Losing Data
- 2. Use a Format Tool
- 3. Use Disk Management Tool
- 4. Try Windows Explorer
- 5. Run CMD (Command Prompt)
Method 1. Convert to NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3 Without Losing Data
- Applies to: Windows 10/8/7
- Supported File System: NTFS/FAT32
- Easiness: Very easy to all users
- Highlight: No data loss
To convert a FAT32 partition to NTFS, you can use Qiling Partition Master Free, a free disk partitioning tool for Windows. It allows changing an NTFS partition to a FAT32 partition or vice versa without losing any data. For example, you can convert a FAT32 partition to NTFS using this tool.
Step 1. To convert the target device partition to FAT, click on it and select the "More..." option from the context menu. Then, choose "Convert to FAT" from the dropdown menu.
Step 2. After the check process is complete, click "OK" to initiate the NTFS to FAT32 conversion.
Method 2. Format the File System to NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3
If you're not concerned about losing data on your partition or hard drive, you can format the drive to a desired file system like NTFS, FAT32, or EXT2/EXT3 using a free partition manager software like Qiling, which supports all Windows systems. This software allows you to convert RAW to NTFS, NTFS to FAT32, FAT32 to EXT2, EXT3 to NTFS, exFAT to NTFS, and more using its "Format" feature.
- Applies to: Windows 10/8/7
- Supported File System: NTFS/EXT4/EXT3/EXT2/FAT32/FAT16/FAT12/ReFS
- Easiness: Very simple
- Highlight: Support almost all of the file system
Step 1. Run Qiling Partition Master Free, click the hard drive partition you intend to format, and choose "Format" from the menu.
Step 2. To format a partition, open a new window and specify the Partition label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3), and Cluster size for the partition to be formatted, then click "Proceed".
Step 3. To start the formatting process, you will see a warning window, click "OK" in it to proceed with the formatting of the partition on your hard drive.
Method 3. Use Disk Management Tool to Change the File System to NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3
- Applies to: To reset Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and click on "Get started" under the "Reset this PC" section. Then, select "Keep my files" or "Remove everything" depending on your preference, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
- Supported File System: NTFS/FAT32/exFAT
- Easiness: Easy
- Highlight: It is a built-in tool
To format a storage device into NTFS/FAT32 using the Disk Management tool, connect an external drive to your computer and use the tool to change the file system to NTFS/FAT32. This will allow you to format the device into the desired file system.
Step 1. Right-click This PC or My Computer, select "Manage".
Step 2. Enter Device Manager and click "Disk Management"
Step 3. Open Disk Management and right-click the target device, select "Format".
Step 4. To format a device, select it and choose the file system type (NTFS/FAT32/exFAT), check the "Quick Format" box, and click "OK" to proceed.
Method 4. Convert File System with Windows Explorer
- Applies to: Windows 10/8/7
- Supported File System: NTFS/FAT32/exFAT
- Easiness: Easy
- Highlight: It is very easy and convenient
Follow the steps below to format your partition to NTFS/FAT32/exFAT:
Step 1. Connect your external storage device to your PC and open File Explorer on Windows.
Step 2. Locate and right-click the target device, select "Format".
Step 3. To quickly format a drive, select "Quick Format" and choose "NTFS" as the file system, then click "Start" to initiate the formatting process.
Method 5. Run CMD (Command Prompt) to Convert the File System
- Applies to: Windows 10/8/7
- Supported File System: NTFS/FAT32/exFAT
- Easiness: A little bit hard
- Highlight: Very convenient to specific users
To connect a USB flash drive or SD card, insert the device into your PC's USB port or SD card slot. The device should be automatically detected by your computer, and a pop-up window may appear asking you to format the device or select a drive letter.
Step 1. Right-click on the Windows icon, select "Search" and type cmd.
Step 2. Right-click on the Start button, select "Command Prompt (Admin)" and type "diskpart" followed by Enter.
Step 3. Type below command lines and hit "Enter" each time:
list disk
select disk 2 (Replace 2 with your USB disk number)
list volume
1. Open the command prompt as an administrator.
format fs=fat32 quick
To format the volume, type `format quick` in the DiskPart command line and press Enter. This will quickly format the volume, and DiskPart will report back to you when it's done.
Additional Tips: Export or Back Up Data in Storage Device First
To avoid data loss, it's recommended to back up important files to a secure device or partition before converting the file system on storage devices like SD cards or USB drives.
You can choose to copy files one by one to a new disk or drive, or use professional backup software like Qiling Backup for larger data transfers. This software allows you to back up target data into compressed image formats with just four steps.
Step 1. To initiate a backup, click the "File backup" button located in the "Backup and recovery" page.
Step 2. Local and network files will be displayed on the left side, allowing users to extend the directory and choose specific files to back up.
Step 3. To store the backup, follow the on-screen instructions to select the desired location.
Step 4. To encrypt the backup with a password, click on "Options" in the "Backup Options" section. This allows for a variety of customization options for the backup process.
Set up a backup schedule and choose to initiate a backup at a certain event in "Backup Scheme".
Step 5. You can save the backup to a local disk, Qiling's online service, or a NAS.
Step 6. To start a backup, click "Proceed" and once the process is complete, the backup will be displayed as a card on the left side of the panel, where you can further manage it by right-clicking.
Conclusion
After learning the 5 solutions, you can find changing the file system using a free third-party disk partitioning tool like Qiling Partition Master Free is the best choice.
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