Converting Fat32 File system to NTFS file system without file loss

Performance tips for Windows XP often mention the use of the NTFS file system because it works slightly faster than the FAT32 file system. Besides the performance benefit, you will also enjoy improved stability and security in comparison with the FAT32 file system.

You can convert an existing FAT32 file system to NTFS without data loss, but always remember that older operating systems like Windows 98 cannot work with NTFS.

Proceed with care if you have more than one operating system on your pc.

* Click on the Start button, right-click "My Computer" and select "Manage"
* In the navigation pane on the left, expand "storage" and choose "Disk Management"
* The details on the right will reveal the file system details for each of your drives. Also make a note of the drive's volume name.

To convert a drive's file system :

* Click the Start button and select "Run"
* Type "convert d: /fs:ntfs" (without the quotes - replace d: with the drive letter that you want to convert) and click ok
* A dos box will open and ask for the drive's volume name
* Enter the volume name and hit the ENTER key

Windows will start the conversion to NTFS and notifies you when it is finished.