How to Convert NTFS to FAT32? NTFS to FAT32 Conversion [No Data Loss]

NTFS and FAT32 are two file system types utilized in the Windows operating system. In the following text, you will learn about the differences between NTFS and FAT32, when to use NTFS or FAT32, and how to convert NTFS to FAT32 without data loss using four reliable NTFS to FAT32 conversion tools:

Note: If you need a simple NTFS to FAT32 converter, try Method 1. Methods 2, 3, and 4 will result in data loss when converting NTFS to FAT32. Therefore, ensure that you back up important content to another secure device beforehand.

So, how to change the file system from NTFS to FAT32? Try any method below and you'll learn how to finish this task on your own.

How to Convert NTFS to FAT32? 4 Effective Methods

Here, we will cover 4 reliable NTFS to FAT32 converter tools that will help you effectively convert NTFS to FAT32 with ease.

Please note that all four NTFS to FAT32 converters are compatible with all Windows operating systems, including Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista, and so on. The earlier the method is mentioned, the simpler it is for you to change the file system of your device.

Method 1. tools Partition Master Free (Recommended)

Here are the translations in English:
• Difficulty Level: Easiest
• ⏱️Duration: 2-3 minutes
• ??‍?Best for: Windows Beginners
• Capacity Limit: None, surpasses the 32GB volume size restriction of FAT32 format

The easiest way is to use a third-party NTFS to FAT32 converter software. A tool like Partition Master Free with its "Convert to FAT" feature can help you accomplish this task easily. It's a free utility that enables you to switch between NTFS and FAT32 file systems. This method doesn't necessitate formatting the target device when converting NTFS to FAT32, ensuring no data loss.

Here are the steps in English:

Step 1. Right-click the target device partition and select "Advanced" > "Convert to FAT".

Step 2. Once the scan is over, click "Proceed" to start the NTFS to FAT32 conversion.

Step 3. Click "Apply" to save all changes.

This powerful software functions flawlessly on Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, XP, and Vista. Apart from formatting NTFS devices to FAT32, it also supports the following:

• Support for other file systems, including exFAT, FAT16, Ext2/3/4, etc.
• Convert FAT32 to NTFS without formatting, with no data loss.
• Supports formatting 64GB/128GB USB to FAT32 without any limitations.
• Supports advanced functions such as resizing partitions, converting a disk to MBR/GPT, and transferring the OS, etc.

1. Mandarin: Chinese 2. English: English 3. Español: Spanish 4. Français: French 5. Deutsch: German 6. 日本語: Japanese 7. 한국어: Korean 8. Русский: Russian 9. العربية: Arabic 10. Italiano: Italian 11. Português: Portuguese 12. Bahasa Indonesia: Indonesian 13. Nederlands: Dutch 14. Polski: Polish 15. Türkçe: Turkish 16. اردو: Urdu 17. ไทย: Thai 18. Ελληνικά: Greek 19. Tiếng Việt: Vietnamese 20. हिंदी: Hindi

Method 2. Using Windows File Explorer

These are the translations into English: ```html
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• ⏱️Duration: 2-5 minutes
• ??‍?Best for: Windows Beginners
• Capacity Limit: Device should be 32GB or smaller
``` Note: The emojis might not display properly in all contexts, but they represent an hourglass timer for Duration and a person on a computer to indicate "Best for" Windows beginners.

For most Windows users, another easy way to attempt converting NTFS to FAT32 is by using the built-in FAT32 formatter in Windows – the File Explorer. Please note that this process will format your device, so ensure you've backed up important data before proceeding with the steps below.

The process is efficient and straightforward. Here's how to format your NTFS storage device to FAT32:

Step 1. Connect your hard drive or external storage device to a Windows PC.

Step 2. Double-click on "This PC" or "My Computer" to open File Explorer.

Step 3. Find and right-click on the USB drive, then select "Format."

Step 4. Set FAT32 as the target file system, check "Quick Format" and hit "Start" to begin the formatting.

Once done, click “OK” to confirm. Your device should now be formatted to FAT32.

Method 3: Using Disk Management Method 3: Using Disk Management

Here are the translations into English:
• Difficulty Level: Medium
• ⏱️Duration: 2-5 minutes
• ??‍?Best for: Experienced Windows users
• Capacity Limit: Device should be 32GB or smaller

The other method is to use Disk Management. Note that the FAT32 option will be unavailable in the drop-down box if the drive size you desire to format is larger than 32GB (a Windows limitation). The process will also convert NTFS to FAT32 by formatting, so back up your data before proceeding.

How can I change the file system of a USB drive from NTFS to FAT32?

1. Right-click "This PC" or "My Computer", click "Manage", and click "Disk Management".

Select "Disk Management" and choose "Format".

2. Choose your USB drive, right-click the drive, and select “Format.” Click “Yes.”

3.  Name the drive and select the file system as "FAT32". Click "OK".

4. You can see that the format is FAT32.

When the formatting is finished, you will see the format is displayed as FAT32 in Disk Management.

Method 4. Using DiskPart

Here are the translations in English:
• Difficulty Level: Hard
• ⏱️Duration: 2-5 minutes
• ??‍?Best for: Experienced or advanced users, administrators
• Capacity Limit: Device should be 32GB or smaller

Unlike Windows File Explorer and Disk Management, DiskPart is more than just a tool for formatting devices. It also performs advanced management tasks on Windows and Windows Server systems. When using the DiskPart command line to change the file system to FAT32, it's crucial to follow these steps carefully:

Connect the storage device that needs to be converted from NTFS to FAT32 to your computer.

< strong > Step 1. < /strong > Type < b > cmd < /b > in Windows Search, right-click on Command Prompt, and select "Run as administrator".

Launch CMD to Format HDD to FAT32

Step 2. Type diskpart into the Command Prompt window and press Enter.

Step 3. Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

Translate the following commands into English:
• list disk
• select disk 0 (Replace 0 with the disk number of your target device)
• list volume
• select volume 2 (Replace 2 with the volume number of your device)
• format fs=fat32 quick

Step 4. When the formatting is complete, type exit to close DiskPart.

After this, your device is now formatted to FAT32.

"NTFS vs. FAT32: Which File System Is Better?"

FAT32 is one of the oldest file system variants of FAT, utilized in earlier versions of the operating system like DOS and Windows editions prior to XP. Even now, FAT32 continues to serve Windows users as the default format for certain external storage devices such as SD memory cards and USB flash drives.

NTFS stands for New Technology File System, which is a more recent file system developed by Microsoft after FAT. It is the default file system for the Windows NT family, including the latest Windows operating systems.

You can refer to this link for NTFS vs FAT32, or consult the comparison table between NTFS and FAT32 for more details about their differences:

As such, FAT32 supports files up to 4GB in size and a maximum volume size of 2TB. This means that you can only save individual files smaller than 4GB to a FAT32 device. NTFS, on the other hand, supports single files up to 16TB in practice, with volume sizes ranging from 2 to 4TB. Technically, Windows imposes a limitation on the FAT32 file system, allowing it to be used only on volume partitions 32GB or smaller.

When to Use NTFS or When to Use FAT32?

So, when should you use NTFS or FAT32? Here, we've listed some common uses of NTFS and FAT32 to help you decide whether you need NTFS or FAT32:

From this table, it's clear that FAT32 is more commonly used for external storage devices and file transfers.

So which is better? For storing large files or creating a large volume-sized partition, NTFS is obviously better than FAT32. Click the buttons to share this article and let more people know about this conclusion.

Bottom line.

On this page, we discussed the nature of NTFS, the function of FAT32, and the appropriate scenarios to use either file system. Considering FAT32's broader compatibility, we also presented 4 methods to convert NTFS to FAT32, enabling you to easily switch your device's file system from NTFS to FAT32.

It doesn't matter if you're unsure about which method to choose. Here's a list of tools recommended by the Editor. You can take a look and select the best one for assistance:

If you prefer an easy and effective FAT32 formatter, especially to format big devices (more than 32GB) to FAT32, AOMEI Partition Assistant is always ready to help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Converting NTFS to FAT32

If you have other doubts about converting NTFS to FAT32, follow and view the answers to the questions listed below.

< strong > 1. Can I convert NTFS to FAT32?< / strong >

Yes, you can convert NTFS to FAT32. However, the commonly used built-in Windows tools (Disk Management, Windows File Explorer) only permit converting NTFS to FAT32 by reformatted the partition. Naturally, this would result in data loss. Don't worry; you can try using Partition Master without needing to format or experiencing data loss.

Which one is better? Actually, as two widely used file systems on Windows PC, you can't directly say which one is better and which is not that good. FAT32 supports up to 4GB files and 2TB max volume size. In other words, you can only save single files smaller than 4GB to a FAT32 device. NTFS supports up to 16TB single files with 2 - 4 TB volume size in practice.

3. How can I convert NTFS to FAT32 without formatting?

1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant 2. Right-click on the partition you plan to convert, and click "Advanced" then select "Convert to FAT". 3. Click "OK". 4. Click "Execute Task".