How do you convert NTFS partition to FAT32 on Windows 10? Windows 10 is the latest Windows operating system released by Microsoft, so it usually has the best performance than its previous versions. However, you still need to format a partition on Windows 10 if you want to convert its file system to from NTFS to FAT32. This article will share methods to convert NTFS partition to FAT32 file system without formatting it.
The exFAT format means 'Extended File Allocation Table', and as the name suggests it can also be described as the extended version of the other classical FAT systems. In simple words, the exFAT System is a more flexible and better-optimized version of FAT32 and NTFS file system.
Why Not Format NTFS to FAT32 on Windows 10?
- In order to mount the thumb drive to an ESXi host, it has to be formatted using the FAT16 file system. Modern Windows can still format using FAT16, but it's no longer possible from the GUI. Diskpart has been around since Windows NT and thankfully it's still a regularly maintained component of Windows.
- Windows 10 will go ahead and begin formatting the drive in FAT32. Once the device is formatted in FAT32, connect the USB to the NVR or DVR and go into the Menu to Device Storage DeviceFormat and select the device to format, then click Format. Now you should have a Flash drive or HDD that is able to be used for backing up an incident.
It is true that you can convert the file system of any partition from NTFS to FAT32 by formatting on your computer that runs any Windows operating system. In fact, it is quite easy to do so! However, why is it recommended not to format a partition to change its file system from NTFS to FAT32 on Windows 10?
Reason:
Formatting is not a good solution for partition converting on Windows 10 because it usually erase everything stored on the partition. Although you can back up the important data in advance before performing formatting, you cannot 100% guarantee that it will not cause any data loss. Therefore, you should not format a partition to covert its file system on Windows 10 for the sake of data security.
>> If you want to change NTFS to FAT32 without formatting, please go to this guide: Convert partition from ntfs to fat32 without formatting
Cannot Convert System Partition to FAT32 by Formatting in Windows 10
Usually, you are not allowed to format a system partition to FAT32 file system because the Windows 10 system is installed on this partition. It would cause system crash and make computer unbootable after formatting system partition. Therefore, all Windows computers including Windows 10 do not allow its users to perform format on a system partition. If you insist on converting system partition from NTFS to FAT32, you have to reinstall system and format it.
Please remember to backup data before performing system reinstalling in case that all important files got lost after formatting.
>> Related Article: Convert NTFS to FAT32 without data loss
Change to FAT32 in Windows 10 with Command Prompt?
>> Related Article: Convert NTFS to FAT32 without data loss
Change to FAT32 in Windows 10 with Command Prompt?
On Windows 10, you cannot run Command prompt to change to FAT32 file system. Command prompt is Windows built-in command, with which you can only convert file system from FAT32 to NTFS by typing command prompt.
>> For detailed steps for converting FAT32 to NTFS with command prompt, please visit: how to extend c drive server 2008
Convert NTFS to FAT32 with Converter for Windows 10
You can also use a converter Windows 10 to convert NTFS to FAT32. IM-Magic Partition Resizer is not only a partition magic that enables users to resize hard disk, but also it can help users convert a NTFS partition to FAT32. This software is able to perform partition converting without asking you to reformat the partition so that you would not lose even a single file. It is safe to use, which does no harm to the disk partition or data stored on it.
Tip:
FAT32 cannot supports a single file that is larger than 4GB, so the files which are larger than 4GB probably become unreadable after converting a NTFS partition to FAT32. You had better move those files which are larger 4GB to another NTFS partition in advance.
Download Proper Version of IM-Magic Partition Resizer
For Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP/2000 > Download IM-Magic Partition Resizer Free
Fat32 Reader Windows 10
For Windows Server All versions > Download IM-Magic Partition Resizer Server
