How to Format an External Hard Drive to NTFS Without Losing Data

Updated by

Linda 

Updated on April 22, 2024

NTFS (New Technology File System) is a proprietary file system by Microsoft and an excellent option for external hard drives. With features such as journaling, compression, and security permissions, NTFS is well-suited for storing your critical data.

It poses a problem for individuals who wish to utilize their drives to their full potential. If you find yourself in a similar situation and want to format your hard disk with NTFS for unlimited storage, you've come to the right place. Therefore, make sure to back up your data and follow this article from tools to learn how to surpass the storage limitation and format your external hard drive to NTFS.

Format External Hard Drive to NTFS Without Data Loss

If you want to safely format your hard disk without the risk of losing data, this section is for you.

To properly format your external hard disk to NTFS without losing data, try using tools Partition Master Free. This third-party application offers a straightforward "FAT to NTFS" feature, enabling a seamless conversion without compromising your content.

Regardless of its reliability, it's wise to create a backup as a precaution. Once the backup is ready, follow the steps below to format your external hard drive.

Step 1. Install and launch tools Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2. In Partition Manager, right-click on a FAT32 partition and click "Advanced", then select "Convert NTFS to FAT".

Step 3. Click "Proceed" on the pop-up dialog box to continue.

Step 4. Click "Apply" to start the conversion. Wait until the process is complete.

Download Partition Master Free today for a seamless transition to NTFS, guaranteeing compatibility and efficient disk management.

Format External Hard Drive to NTFS Using Windows Built-in Tools

While tools Partition Master is the most user-friendly option for beginners, you can also format your external hard drive to NTFS using built-in Windows tools. However, all three methods below will result in data loss during the formatting process.

Use Windows File Explorer Translate to: Use the Windows File Explorer

Formatting your external hard disk to NTFS using Windows File Explorer provides a practical solution that ensures easy access and navigation. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Connect your Windows computer to the external hard drive.

Step 2. Launch File Explorer, then locate the drive.

Step 3. On the drive, right-click and choose "Format."

Step 4. Select the file system "NTFS".

Step 5. You can choose to rename the drive.

Step 6. Click "Start" to format the drive.

Furthermore, utilizing Windows File Explorer for this task adheres to best practices, ensuring reliability and compatibility. It provides a standard approach to format your external hard drive to NTFS.

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Use Disk Management

You can also format the external disk to NTFS using the built-in Disk Management tool in the Windows operating system. It provides a comprehensive interface for managing drive formatting and disk partitioning.

To format your external hard drive to NTFS, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press Win + X and choose "Disk Management" from the menu.

Step 2. Look for your external hard drive in the list of drives.

Step 3. Right-click on the external disk and choose "Format."

Step 4. Choose "NTFS" as the file system.

Step 5. Optionally, rename the drive.

Step 6. Click "OK" to start the formatting process.

Occasionally, you might come across the issue where the format option is grayed out in Disk Management for some reason. However, there's no need to panic. This article presents three practical methods to resolve the problem.

?Read also: 3 Ways| How to Fix Disk Management Format Option Greyed Out in Windows 11/10/8/7

Use Diskpart

Diskpart is a Windows command-line tool for disk and partition management. It provides extensive control over disk volumes and partitions. Those experienced with commands can assist in completing the formatting process.

To prevent incorrect commands, carefully follow the steps below.

Step 1. Launch the Command Prompt in administrator mode.

Step 2. Type "diskpart" and press Enter.

Step 3. To view the attached disks, type "list disk" and press Enter.

Step 4. Type "select disk [disk number]" to choose your external hard drive, and press Enter.

Step 5. To format the disk as NTFS, type "format fs=ntfs quick" and press Enter.

Hopefully, you've successfully formatted your external hard drive to NTFS. To learn more about exFAT, FAT32, and NTFS, explore the excellent article linked below.

Everything You Need to Know About exFAT, FAT32, and NTFS

Are you looking for information on the differences between exFAT, FAT32, and NTFS? In this article, we'll provide you with all the details about these three file systems.

Conclusion

Converting your FAT32 external hard drive to NTFS can bypass the limitation and maximize your storage capacity. But with its user-friendly interface and seamless conversion process, Partition Master provides a hassle-free experience for managing your disk partitions and formatting your external hard drives to NTFS.

Don't forget to share this page with users who might also find it useful.

Frequently Asked Questions on Formatting External Hard Drive to NTFS

If you have additional questions about formatting your external hard drive to NTFS, refer to the following FAQs for more information:

1. Can I convert my external hard drive from FAT32 to NTFS?

Yes, you can easily convert your external hard drive from FAT32 to NTFS using various methods, such as built-in Windows tools or third-party software.

2. What are the disadvantages of the NTFS file system?

Although NTFS provides advanced features, its compatibility with non-Windows operating systems might be more limited compared to other file systems such as FAT32 or exFAT.

3. Which is better, exFAT or NTFS?

The choice between exFAT and NTFS depends on your specific needs. NTFS is more suitable for Windows systems, providing advanced features such as file compression and security permissions, whereas exFAT is more compatible with a variety of platforms and accommodates larger file sizes.