How to Convert FAT32 to exFAT | Simple Windows and macOS Solutions

If you're looking to convert FAT32 to exFAT on your Windows or macOS computer, it's worth understanding the differences between the two, particularly the advantages of exFAT. You can get a quick rundown in the table below:

However, you should know that while FAT32 is widely used, exFAT helps you deal with large files on larger storage devices. Can't wait to learn how to change a storage device from FAT32 to exFAT without losing data? Read on to find out how to convert FAT32 to exFAT without losing data.

How can I convert FAT32 to exFAT without losing data?

If you don't want to lose data after converting FAT32 to exFAT, you need to download a secure data recovery program for help. It's also wise to back up important files before the conversion.

For data recovery software, Data Recovery Wizard Pro is an ideal choice for retrieving data from formatted storage devices. This data recovery tool helps you restore files from various storage devices and is both easy to install and operate. The download link below will lead you to the free trial version. If you find the software helpful, it's recommended to upgrade to the professional edition to unlock more features.

Is the tool safe? Yes, you can trust it. Here's a guide on how to recover data from a formatted USB drive:

Step 1: Connect the USB drive to your computer. Launch the Universal Data Recovery Wizard. Select the formatted SD card, USB flash drive, or USB stick from which you want to recover lost files, and click “Scan.”

Step 2: After the scan, all the scanned results will be displayed on the screen. You can use the “Filter” or “File Type” feature to find your target files.

Step 3. Select the files you wish to recover from the formatted external hard drive, and click “Recover.” A new window will pop up, asking you to select a new location to store these files. Click “OK” to confirm.

If you have had a good experience with our Formatted Hard Drive Recovery Freeware and find it helpful in retrieving your files, we would greatly appreciate it if you could share your recommendation on social media.

Method 1: Convert FAT32 to exFAT with Windows File Explorer

Some users opt for specialized converters to do the job. Windows has a built-in tool that makes converting the file system more reliable, using File Explorer (File Explorer). We'll show you how to change the file system from FAT32 to exFAT in Windows 11:

Step 1: Open File Explorer in Windows 11 using the Win + E shortcut or by launching it from the taskbar.

Step 2: Right-click on the hard drive/USB drive that you want to convert to exFAT.

Step 3: Change the file system to exFAT, and then click “Start.”

If your Windows File Explorer is not responding, you can resolve the issue by restarting it. You can find a detailed tutorial in the following article:

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Method 2: Convert FAT32 to exFAT with the Windows Command Prompt

You can change the file format using the Command Prompt, which is easy if you're comfortable with command-line interfaces. If you don't want to use the Command Prompt to convert your file system, skip this method.

Step 1. Open the Command Prompt window using the Windows search bar. If the Windows 10 search bar isn't working, try an alternative method.

Step 2: Type the command into the Command Prompt. You can copy and paste the command below, but remember to change the drive and partition letter.

With both methods in your toolkit, you can now format an exFAT drive on Mac. Don't forget to share these methods on social media to help more users!

Method 3: Format FAT32 to exFAT with Windows Disk Management

You can also change the file system from FAT32 to exFAT using Windows Disk Management. This is a fairly straightforward process. To convert the file system to exFAT, do the following:

Step 1: Right-click the Windows icon and select “Disk Management.”

Step 2: Right-click the drive you want to format as exFAT, and click “Format.”

Step 3: Change the file system to exFAT, and then click “OK” to start the formatting process. After formatting is complete, you can see in “Disk Management” that the file system has changed to exFAT.

You can use any of these methods to convert a file system from RAW to NTFS:

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Method 4: Format the Drive to exFAT Using Disk Utility

After learning the 3 methods for Windows, you may also wonder how to convert a disk to exFAT on Mac. Disk Utility on Mac is a powerful disk management feature on macOS. Follow the steps below to use Disk Utility to change the file system to exFAT:

Step 1: Spotlight can open Disk Utility or boot to Disk Utility.

Step 2: Select the drive you want to format, and click the “Erase” tab.

Step 3. Give the drive a name and change the format to exFAT. Then, click the “Erase” button to format the drive.

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When you need to format a USB drive or SD card to exFAT, you can do so quickly and safely using the File Explorer and Disk Management on Windows. For advanced users, Command Prompt is also a convenient option. For macOS computers, Disk Utility will be your best bet. If you don't want to lose data on macOS or Windows, download the Data Recovery Wizard tool or back up your data before converting.

Frequently Asked Questions on Converting Storage Devices from FAT32 to exFAT

This article offers four methods to help you convert a storage device's file system from FAT32 to exFAT. Here are some common questions about the topic:

1. Can I Convert FAT32 to exFAT without Formatting?

Actually, you will need to format when converting the file system. If you have important files on the target disk that you don't want to lose, back them up to another device first, or use the Data Recovery Wizard tool after formatting.

2. How to convert FAT32 to exFAT on Windows 11? To convert the File Allocation Table (FAT32) file system to the exFAT file system on Windows 11, follow these steps: 1. **Backup your data**: Before making any changes, ensure you back up all important files from your FAT32 partition, as the conversion process might result in data loss. 2. **Open Disk Management**: Press `Win + X` and select "Disk Management." 3. **Locate the partition**: In the Disk Management window, find the FAT32 partition you want to convert. It will typically display as a drive letter with size information. 4. **Check the partition format**: Right-click the partition, choose "Properties," and confirm that the file system is FAT32. 5. **Create a new partition**: Since Windows 11 doesn't directly support converting FAT32 to exFAT, you'll need to delete the existing partition and create a new exFAT partition. Warning: This will erase all data on the partition, so make sure you've backed up! - Right-click the FAT32 partition and select "Delete Volume." - After confirmation, the space will become "Unallocated." 6. **Create an exFAT partition**: - Right-click the unallocated space and choose "New Simple Volume." - Follow the wizard's instructions, selecting "exFAT" when prompted for the file system. - Assign a drive letter to the new partition and finish the wizard. 7. **Restore your data**: Now, copy back the previously backed-up data to the new exFAT partition. Keep in mind that exFAT is a better choice than FAT32 if you have large amounts of data or large files to store, as it supports larger individual file sizes. Always back up your data before performing such operations.

On Windows 11, you have four methods to convert FAT32 to exFAT:

1. Format with Windows File Explorer 2. Use the Windows Disk Management Tool 3. Utilize the Diskpart Command in CMD 4. Employ Professional Disk Management Software

3. Can I change the file system of a USB drive on macOS?

In addition to using special software to change the file system of a USB drive, you can also use macOS's built-in Disk Utility. Just select the target disk, click the “Erase” tab, change the file system, and click “Erase.”

4. Is exFAT Faster Than FAT32?

Yes, exFAT is generally considered faster than FAT32. It was specifically designed for USB flash drives and other external storage devices, offering better performance and support for larger file sizes compared to FAT32.