Changing your USB drive from the FAT32 file system to the more modern NTFS file system can provide some benefits. NTFS supports larger partition sizes, better security permissions, compression and other advanced features not available with FAT32. However, the process requires reformatting the drive, which will erase all data. This guide will walk you through the steps to safely convert your USB drive to NTFS.
What is FAT32 and NTFS?
FAT32 and NTFS are the two main file systems used for USB flash drives and hard drives in Windows. FAT32 is an older file system that has been around since the days of Windows 95. NTFS is a newer file system introduced with Windows NT and used today as the default system for internal hard drives in Windows XP and newer versions.
Here is a comparison of FAT32 and NTFS:
| Feature | FAT32 | NTFS |
|---|---|---|
| Max partition size | 32GB | 256TB |
| Max file size | 4GB | 16EB |
| Compression | No | Yes |
| Encryption | No | Yes |
| Permissions | Minimal | Advanced security |
As you can see, NTFS supports much larger partition sizes and files. It also includes compression, encryption and more granular file permissions. FAT32 is more compatible with older operating systems, but has limitations for larger drives and advanced features.
When to Use NTFS vs FAT32
Whether to use NTFS vs FAT32 depends on your specific needs:
- Use FAT32 if you need wide compatibility across Windows, Mac, Linux, game consoles, media players, etc. It’s the most compatible filesystem.
- Use NTFS for drives only being used with Windows to get support for larger partitions, better security, compression, etc.
- Use FAT32 for small USB drives under 32GB.
- Use NTFS for large external hard drives over 32GB.
- Use FAT32 if you need to dual boot with an older OS that requires it.
In general, NTFS is preferable for dedicated Windows PC usage. FAT32 is better for removable media used across multiple devices and operating systems.
How to Check File System of USB Drive
Before converting your USB drive, you should check what file system it is currently using. Here’s how:
- Insert the USB drive into your computer.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to This PC.
- Right click on your USB drive and select Properties.
- In the General tab, look at the File System. This will show FAT32 or NTFS.
You can also use the fsutil command in Command Prompt to check the file system. Simply type fsutil fsinfo volumeinfo X: where X is the drive letter of your USB drive.
How to Safely Convert USB from FAT32 to NTFS
Here are step-by-step instructions to convert a USB drive from FAT32 to NTFS on Windows:
- Back up data on the USB drive. The conversion process will erase everything, so make sure any important files are backed up elsewhere.
- Plug in the USB drive you want to convert to NTFS into your computer.
- Open Disk Management. Press Windows + R and type
diskmgmt.mscto launch it. - Right-click on your USB drive and select Format…
- Choose NTFS as the file system from the dropdown menu.
- Check Quick Format to format faster. Leave other options as default.
- Click Start to begin formatting to NTFS.
- Wait for the format to complete. This may take a few minutes depending on the drive size.
- Close Disk Management when done. The USB drive will now be NTFS.
That’s it! After following these steps your USB drive will now use the NTFS file system instead of FAT32. You can confirm by checking the properties again in File Explorer.
Common Questions
Is my data erased when converting to NTFS?
Yes, reformatting a drive from FAT32 to NTFS will erase all existing data on the drive. Be sure to back up your files before converting the file system.
Will NTFS work on Mac or Linux?
NTFS has limited read-only support on Mac and Linux. You can view files but may not be able to modify them. For cross-platform use, FAT32 is better supported.
Can I convert NTFS back to FAT32?
Yes, you can convert drives from NTFS back to FAT32 by reformatting the drive in Disk Management. Again, this will erase all data.
Will my USB be slower with NTFS?
No, there is negligible performance difference between FAT32 and NTFS for most common workloads on USB drives. In some cases, NTFS may be faster due to advanced optimizations.
What are the disadvantages of NTFS?
NTFS has fewer compatibility issues than FAT32. However, NTFS does not work with some older operating systems and devices. It also uses more overhead than FAT32, but this is rarely an issue except for very small drives.
Conclusion
Converting your USB drive from FAT32 to NTFS can provide benefits like large capacity, encryption, compression, permissions and better performance. It’s a good idea to use NTFS for drives dedicated just for Windows. Make sure to back up data first before reformatting. The process is straightforward using Disk Management in Windows. Now you can enjoy the advantages of NTFS on your USB drive!