A file system is a method for storing and organizing computer files and the data they contain to make it easy to find and access them. FAT is the file system used in the earlier stage of Windows which was replaced by NTFS.
FAT(File Allocation Table) is a file system used by MS-DOS and other Windows Operating System. It’s a system in which Windows stores information about each file in the File Allocation Table, so that it can retrieve later.
NTFS is an advanced file system that provides performance, security, reliability, and advanced features that are not found in any version of FAT.
The Benefits of NTFS:
Support for large hard drives
Support for large file sizes
Simple management of single disk partitions
Improved performance
Other Features of NTFS:
Security and access control
Distributed link tracking
Hard links for files
Symbolic links for directories
More efficient context indexing
File compression
File encryption
Volume shadow copy backup
Flexible metadata support for attributes, properties, and streams
Ability to mount a local drive to a folder on an NTFS volume
Considering the benefits and features of NTFS, it is wiser to consider NTFS.
So, How to Convert FAT to NTFS?
Note: This solution will not affect any data stored in the partition while converting but I advice you to have a backup. And after you convert to NTFS, you cannot convert back to FAT.
Go to Command prompt (Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt)
Type the following in the command prompt
Convert x: /fs:ntfs
Where ‘X’ represents the drive which you want to covert.
In case if you want to convert the partition that is currently in use, you will not be able to convert and you can schedule the task when you restart the computer. This may be the scenario if you are trying to the convert the partition where your Windows is located.
For Reference and Troubleshooting, Visit Microsoft Support
If you are using Windows Vista, Learn how to Partition easily using Extend and Shrink option.
Hi Joel Caleb Thomas
I would just like to point that the command you have written in your article is “fs/ntfs” ad you have written by mistake may be as “fd:ntfs”
In all a very good article abt ntfs why dont you include or add more abt how ntfs provide various levels of security…a suggestion from my side.
@abhishek, Thank you for pointing out the error. Yeah its ‘fs’ and not ‘fd’. FS corresponds to File System. Will write another article on NTFS security system.
The best thing i like about NTFS is that it can support files larger than 4 Gb , good for me as i like keeping images of DVD on my HD .