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Resolved Change USB drive to NTFS

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by wahlroot, 2011/08/03.

  1. 2011/08/03
    wahlroot

    wahlroot Inactive Thread Starter

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    I have a USB 2.0 drive that is a Fat 32. Is it possible to change it to NTFS. Also should it be allright to change it. I do not want to cause any problems.
     
    wahlroot,
    #1
  2. 2011/08/03
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi wahlroot. Yes you should be able to convert the drive from FAT 32 to NTFS without any problems. Just make sure that before you convert the drive that you backup any data on the USB drive incase something goes wrong.

    Let me know if you run into any problems.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #2


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  4. 2011/08/04
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Bear in mind that not all operating systems can read NTFS. Fat32 is a more universal file system.

    Writing to a NTFS thumb drive will take longer than writing to FAT32 thumb drives because there are more write operations involved.

    The only advantage to using NTFS on thumb drives is the security features of NTFS (properties > security tab)

    Also, if use NTFS you should access the device properties via Computer Management > Device Manager > Policies and set the drive to "Optimize for performance" rather than "Optimize for quick removal ". Until you do this, NTFS may not be listed as an option when formatting.
     
    TonyT,
    #3
  5. 2011/08/04
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Just as a FYI, this seems mostly the case with Windows XP.
     
    Arie,
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  6. 2011/08/04
    hawk22

    hawk22 Geek Member

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    Also keep in mind that if you have any intentions of using (if USB Stick) on any of your Home Entertainment, AV Receiver, TV, Media Recorders, almost all to my knowledge accept only FAT.
     
    hawk22,
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  7. 2011/08/04
    wahlroot

    wahlroot Inactive Thread Starter

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    I came up short again. This is a Western Digital drive, not a thumb drive. This is used as a Backup Drive. It seems to take forever to Defragment. Device Manager, Policies is allready set to Optimize for performance. I use MiniToolPartitionWizard to make the Partitions and I should be able change from Fat32 to NTFS and back from NTFS to Fat32 if necessary.
     
    wahlroot,
    #6
  8. 2011/08/04
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    Changing from FAT to NTFS is a one way route. You can't change back to FAT32 without formatting your drive.
     
    rsinfo,
    #7
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  9. 2011/08/06
    wahlroot

    wahlroot Inactive Thread Starter

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    I will think about this for awhile. I will call it Resolved.
     
    wahlroot,
    #8
  10. 2011/08/06
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Thanks for the update.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #9

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