Convert NTFS to FAT32 without Losing Data (100%Free)

NTFS and FAT32 are two different kinds of file system on Windows Operating System. Generally speaking, NTFS has a better compatibility and performance than FAT32. However sometimes users may still want a FAT32 for their hdd/ssd volumes, memory cards, and usb flash drives. Then, is there any way to change NTFS to FAT32 file system without losing data or formatting?

There are four methods to convert NTFS to FAT32 file system including a totally free ntfs to fat32 converter on Windows computers.

Method1: Free NTFS to FAT32 Converter Download (without Formatting/Losing Data)

It is highly recommended a 100% free ntfs to fat32 converter, IM-Magic Partition Resizer, to convert partition to FAT32 from NTFS. It is a partition magic tool, which has the ability to convert NTFS to FAT32 without deleting any data from the partition/usb/sd. With this tool, you do not need to format the partition, but it enables you to complete the converting within a few steps.

Step1 - Download the free tool and install it on your PC, or you may download the portable version which can be used directly after downloading the portable package. (Portable package is available at the product page of Partition Resizer Free)

Step2 - Insert your usb/sd or external hdd/ssd to pc if it's an external drive, and then open Partition Resizer, right click your targeted drive in the software, and the right click popup option menu will show up with Convert to FAT32 on the list

Step3 - Confirm the changes by click the APPLY button in the software to get the ntfs to fat32 conversion done with data protected.

Note: You may leave the cluster size to default if you do not know which one to choose in the Cluster size column.

Also read >> Step-by-step guide for partition converting – convert NTFS to FAT32

Download Proper Version of IM-Magic Partition Resizer

For Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP/2000 ==> Download IM-Magic Partition Resizer Free (100% free)

For Windows Server versions ==> Download IM-Magic Partition Resizer Server (Trail, needs a code)

Method2. Format NTFS to FAT32 File System on Windows (3 Ways)

If there is no important data on the NTFS partition, you can format it to change its file system to FAT32. If the NTFS partition still contains some useful data, you can move all data to another partition and then format it to FAT32 file system?

How to format NTFS to FAT32 on Windows - 3 Ways

1. On all Windows OS, you can format a partition to convert to FAT32 by following:

Open "My Computer" > right click the NTFS partition and select "Format" option > select FAT32 file system and click "Start" button

2. You can also format a NTFS partition to FAT32 under Disk Management by following:

Right click "My Computer" > click "Manage" > select "Disk Management" > right click the NTFS partition and select "Format" option > select FAT32 file system and click "OK" button to confirm format

3. You can run diskpart.exe to format the NTFS partition by following:

• 3.1 Click Start button > Run > type diskpart.exe and press Enter button
• 3.2 > type list disk and press Enter
• 3.3 > type select disk x (x refers to the disk number of the disk you want to format, e.g. disk 0, disk 1) and press Enter
• 3.4 > type list partition and press Enter
• 3.5 > type select partition * and press Enter (the * shall be replaced with your own partition number)
• 3.6 > type format fs=fat32 and press Enter

Method3. Change NTFS to FAT32 File System by Repartition

You can repartition hard disk on Windows to change NTFS to FAT32 file system. First of all, you need to open Disk Management on your computer and then delete the NTFS partition to change it to unallocated space. Then, you can use the unallocated space to create a new volume. You will be asked to format the partition when creating a new volume, so you can choose to format the new partition to FAT32 file system.

This method is available on all Windows platform including Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11.

The Importance of Data on Hard Disk for Different Users

The reason why many people feel it difficult to convert NTFS to FAT32 is that they have many important data on the partition that they want to convert. Whether you are home user or business user, the data stored on the hard disk partition usually means a lot to you. For example:

1. Disk data for home users of Windows

Windows computer usually contains several partitions on a hard disk. You usually install Windows platform on C drive (known as system partition) and store other types of data like work documents, family photos, videos, movies and more to the rest partitions. If any system related data is lost on the C drive, it would cause system crash and lead your computer to be unbootable. Although data loss from other partition usually does not cause any harm to your computer, it is a big loss if you lose all unique data due to partition converting.

2. The importance of data for business users

For some small-business company, the may install Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 on personal computer. You probably save some essential confidential documents such as contract, documents price list, etc. Those files may determine the fate of your business. For some medium-large corporation, you may install Windows Server on workstation. If data got lost on Windows Server, it will bring immeasurable loss to the enterprise.

Above all, it is quite important to avoid data loss no matter why you want to convert a NTFS to FAT32 file system on your computer.

Convert Is Not Available for NTFS Drives with Windows Convert.exe

You can run Command Prompt to convert an FAT32 drive to NTFS without losing any data, but you will receive message saying that convert is not available for NTFS drives when you attempt to convert NTFS to FAT32 with the same methods. The command prompt is only available for partition converting from FAT32 to NTFS. Therefore, you cannot use command prompt or Partition Resizer to convert NTFS to FAT32 with no data loss on Windows.