How to Convert NTFS to EXT4 Without Losing Data on Windows 10

How to Convert File System from NTFS to EXT4 in Windows

"I want to convert a partition on Windows (either NTFS or FAT32 formatted) to a Linux file system partition. I am looking for some tools or methods to convert NTFS to EXT4 without losing data. Any suggestions?"

NTFS and EXT4 are two different file systems used in computer systems, with NTFS for Windows and EXT4 for Linux. There may be instances where you need to convert from NTFS to EXT4 or vice versa, especially if you have a dual-boot system on your computer.

If you're wondering how to convert NTFS to EXT4 on Windows, you're not alone. Here, we'll show you the easiest way to convert NTFS to EXT4 without data loss using a powerful partition manager - AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.

How to Convert NTFS to EXT4 Without Losing Data

Since Windows doesn't support the EXT file system format, you can't format NTFS to EXT4 using the built-in disk management tool of Windows (i.e., “Disk Management”). In this case, you need a powerful partition manager to convert NTFS to EXT4 on Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is an all-in-one disk and partition management solution for your Windows PC, such as:

After downloading Partition Master, follow this guide to format your NTFS partition and convert it to EXT4.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click the partition you want to format and choose "Format".

Step 2: In the new window, type in a volume label, choose a file system (FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4), set the cluster size as you need, and click “OK”.

Step 3: A warning window will appear. Click “Yes” to proceed.

Step 4. Click on the “Do It!” button in the top left corner to review the changes, and then click “Apply” to begin formatting the partition to FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4.

Additional Tip: How to Recover Data from a Formatted Hard Drive

If you forget to back up NTFS disk before formatting, the data will be lost permanently. Don't panic. Immediately use the Data Recovery Wizard tool to quickly recover formatted hard drive and get back the lost data.

This powerful file recovery tool can restore data in various complex data loss situations from an emptied recycle bin, HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, external hard drive, and SD card. These include accidental deletion, device formatting, partition loss, virus attack, system crash, and more.

Step 1: Select the hard drive where you lost data and click on "Scan".

Select and scan your hard drive

Step 2: After the scan is complete, use the "Filter" or "Search" option to look for the lost files.

Step 3: Select all the files you want to restore and click "Recover". Then, browse and choose a safe location to save them.

Video Tutorial: How to Recover Data from a Formatted Hard Drive

Ultimate Decision

When you plan to convert NTFS to EXT4 or vice versa on Windows, seek assistance from the Partition Master tool. With this utility, you can effortlessly reformat an NTFS partition to EXT4 with just a few clicks. Additionally, you can enjoy more features to manage your EXT4 partitions, such as resizing EXT4 partitions, effortlessly creating, deleting, wiping, merging, and cloning EXT4 partitions.

Try to tidy up your hard drive and optimize your disk partitions for better computer performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on How to Convert NTFS to EXT4 on Windows with UTF-8 Encoding

Here is a list of the five most relevant questions on how to convert NTFS to EXT4 on Windows without losing data. If you have any of these issues, you can find the solutions here.

1. How can I convert NTFS to EXT4 without losing data?

You could back up files on the NTFS partition first and then use a partition management tool to directly format NTFS to EXT4. With this EXT4 formatter for Windows 10, you don't need to delete the NTFS partition or shrink the NTFS partition.

Step 1. Launch Partition Master. Right-click the NTFS drive and select "Format."

Step 2: Set the partition's file system to EXT4. Click OK.

Step 3. Confirm the formatting of the data and proceed with the conversion from NTFS to EXT4.

2. Is ext4 better than NTFS?

EXT4 and NTFS are formatted for different operating systems. It doesn't really make sense to compare the two, as your choice of file system will be determined by your choice of operating system.

• NTFS (New Technology File System) is a proprietary log-file system developed by Microsoft. It has been the default file system for the Windows NT family of operating systems since Windows NT 3.1.
• EXT4 (Extended File System version 4) is a file system for Linux operating systems. It is an evolution of the widely used Linux file system EXT3. EXT4 brings numerous improvements over its predecessors, EXT3 and EXT2, in various aspects.

3. Can Windows read ext4?

While Linux has support for NTFS, Windows 10 doesn't offer any native support for EXT4, meaning it can't read it. However, you can use third-party software to read EXT4 on Windows 10, such as with a partition management tool.

4. How to Convert NTFS to ExFAT without Formatting?

Essentially, there is no direct way to convert NTFS to exFAT. The two file systems store information in very different ways. The way to convert NTFS to exFAT is by formatting. You can back up the files on your NTFS drive to a safe location, format the partition to exFAT, and then move them back.

5. What is the best file system for Linux?

EXT4: EXT4 is the preferred and most commonly used Linux file system. It brings all the advantages you would expect from its predecessor file systems (EXT2/EXT3) and more. It excels in journaling validation, multiple block allocation, compatibility, contiguous pre-allocation of free space, and support for larger files.