How to change FAT 32 to NTFS without losing data?

With the development of computer technology, some file systems can not support large files because of their own defects. For instance, game programs are becoming larger and larger for the sake of more gorgeous operation interface, and they can not be stored in our computers, perhaps. Many users may consider that there is something wrong with hardware configuration. Actually it hardware configuration is not the only matter to blame. The file system of the partition where the software is installed may not support the files which are so large. At this time, we need to convert file system of the partition. File system is a system responsible for organizing and allocating file memory space, storing files and protecting and retrieving the stored files. File systems can be classified into FAT, NTFS, ext2, ext3, ext4, HFS, HFS+, etc and every file system has its own features. If the file system is FAT32, we need to convert FAT32 to NTFS in order to store files more than 4 GB, because the maximum file that FAT32 support is 4GB. But the maximum file supported by NTFS is 64GB. Therefore, we should convert FAT32 to NTFS to store files more than 4GB.

NTFS - the best choice
What's the difference between FAT32 and NTFS? Why should we convert FAT32 to NTFS? Is there any benefit? As a matter of fact, compared with FAT32, the significant feature of NTFS is security. NTFS guarantees the security of server or workstation. Meanwhile, NTFS is a restorable file system which possesses self-repairing function, so NTFS partition users hardly run disk repair program. When system failure occurs, NTFS will automatically recover file system consistency with log files and checkpoint information. Moreover, we can set permission authorities for sharing resources, files and folders. In addition, NTFS adopts smaller cluster, which improve disk space management efficiency. It also provides functions like disk compression, data encryption, disk quota, dynamic disk management and so on. Therefore, many users would like to convert FAT32 to NTFS. Then how to convert FAT32 to NTFS without losing data? Complicated commands are needed if we convert FAT32 to NTFS with the function built in operating system. For users who are not familiar with command operations, it is difficult and bothering because partition data losses may be resulted from careless operations. However, there is an alternative solution. With the professional partition magic, MiniTool Partition Wizard, we can convert FAT32 to NTFS without losing data.

Professional partition magic-MiniTool Partition Wizard
MiniTool Partition Wizard is not only able to convert FAT32 to NTFS, but also copy partition, merge partition, create partition and resize partition, etc. Many users use this partition magic to manage partitions and successfully convert FAT32 to NTFS without losing data because the partition magic operation is simple.

First, launch the partition magic and the main interface of MiniTool Partition Wizard will be shown. We can see some partition information including file system, partition size, partition use information, etc.



In this interface, take Partition F: for an example. If we want to convert FAT32 to NTFS without losing data, select Partition F: and click "Convert FAT to NTFS" in "Operations" area to enter the conversion interface.



Click "Start" to convert FAT32 to NTFS. Wait for a while, and converting FAT 32 to NTFS without losing data will be finished.

In the demonstration, only that convert FAT32 to NTFS by employing the function "Convert FAT to NTFS" is introduced. The partition magic MiniTool Partition Wizard also has many other functions of partition management. It is the best tool for users to optimize disk partition. The partition magic and more related information can be got on the official website http://www.partitionwizard.com.

How to convert to dynamic disk and how to convert dynamic disk to basic disk?

The concept of dynamic disk was put forward when Windows 2000 was released and this style of disk is superior to basic disk. Dynamic disk is able to help users realize management of multiple disks. We can create different types of volumes and the single volume is not limited by the space of single disk. Besides, dynamic disk has relatively larger capacity, and it is beneficial to improving operation speed of computer and accessing speed of file. Furthermore, volumes in dynamic disk facilitate protecting data information. It is due to these advantages that dynamic disk style is used in most Servers. But for common users, dynamic disk is unfamiliar. As a matter of fact, converting basic disk to dynamic disk can be easily carried out with built-in disk management tool.



Firstly, right click "Computer" and select "Manage" in the popping up menu bar to enter management interface. Then in the interface of "Server Manager", find and unfold "Storage". Next, click "Disk Management" to get the interface of Disk Management.



From the picture, it can be seen there are several disks in the computer and they are all basic disks. At this time, right click any disk and select "Convert to Dynamic Disk" in the popping up menu bar to get the next interface.



In this interface, select the disk that will be converted to dynamic disk. We will select four disks and click "OK". Then click "Continue" according to the prompt information to finish converting basic disk to dynamic disk.



Returning to the disk management interface, we can see all disks have been converted to dynamic disk from basic disk, which is so simple.

Convert to Basic Disk
Seeing the above operations, many users can not help converting the only basic disk to dynamic disk, but after conversion, the merits mentioned above can not be experienced. However, those advantages only find expression in multiple disks. If there is only one disk and it is converted to dynamic disk, we can only create simple volume instead of creating other kinds of volumes like spanned volume, but simple volume has no big difference from partition in basic disk. And that kind of conversion is more inconvenient for users to manage disk, for we can hardly operate dynamic disk and most disk manager software doesn't support dynamic disk management, unless we use MiniTool Partition Wizard; but we only can create simple volume in such a situation. Therefore, it is reminded that if there are several disks in the computer, it is suggested to convert basic disk to dynamic disk for the sake of convenient use and management. But for single disk, basic disk style is recommended. Seeing this article, maybe some users have already converted the only disk to dynamic disk, but it is rather difficult to convert dynamic disk to basic disk with built-in disk management tool. We can right click the dynamic disk in the disk management interface and the following interface will be shown.



In the picture, although the built-in disk management tool has the function "Convert to Basic Disk", it is not operable. Why? This is the defect of the built-in disk management tool. We can not convert dynamic disk to basic disk with it unless there is no volume in the disk. Thus, to convert dynamic disk to basic disk with system built-in disk management tool, all volumes should be deleted. If there is only one disk in the computer, we can not delete the volume where the system is. At this time, we are facing a big dilemma. Is there any other method for conversion? Yes. We can use the dynamic disk manager MiniTool Partition Wizard to convert dynamic disk to basic disk.



In the main interface, select any dynamic disk and the option "Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic" will appear in the left "Operations" area. Click the option and then click "Apply". Now the dynamic disk manager prompts us to restart the computer. In the restarting process, this dynamic disk management software will perform all operations automatically and after the computer is restarted, dynamic disk is converted to basic disk successfully. In the entire process, data files will not be damaged or lost, neither will the disk where system volume. This is the powerful function "Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic" of the dynamic disk manager, MiniTool Partition Wizard. For more other information, please visit the website http://www.partitionwizard.com.

What is Partition Magic 9?

Partition Magic is a software in the partition management with a long history. Partition Magic 9.0 is its most recent release.

About Partition Magic

Partition Magic is a computer program for hard disk drive partitioning originally made by the Power Quest Corporation but now owned by Symantec. The program runs on Microsoft Windows operating systems (only 2000 and XP, not Vista) or from a bootable CD-ROM and enables creation and modification of partitions. Existing partitions can be resized without loss of data.

We can clearly see that Partition Magic has some limitations in terms of the operating systems that it supports. What's more, it is not a free software. You would probably spend about $60 for the Partition Magic if you were to purchase it.

So, Partition Magic is not the best partition management solution out there.

Here is the industry-leading Partition Manager developed by MT Solution.

Partition Wizard

As the industry leading partition manager, Partition Wizard provides users with safe, easy and fast solutions to partition management.

With MiniTool Partition Manager, you can Move/Resize Partition, Merge Partition, Change Cluster Size, Copy Partition, Create Partition, Delete Partition, Format Partition, Convert File System, Hide/Unhide Partition, Explore Partition, Partition Recovery, Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk and much more.

Partition Wizard is a Windows based FREE Partition Manager. It supports Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008 server and Windows 7.

By using MiniTool Partition Manager, home users, Professional users, system administrators can easily perform partition operations safely and quickly. The Enhanced Data Protecting technology keeps your data safe even in case of power outages or hardware failure. Even better, Partition Wizard is FREE for home and Professional.

It is amazing. So do not hesitate to go to the website for more information. http://www.partitionwizard.com.

How to resize a partition on Windows XP?

In daily computer use, we often encounter the situation that partition is oversized or undersized. Disk partition is completed with the installation of operating system and we have no idea about future specific data storage, so we have to partition disk according to experience and judgment. However, as time goes on, the previous partitions can not satisfy our data storage demands. We usually resize partition to meet our requirements under this condition. As many computer users like me are not very familiar with computer, only knowing that disk partition is realized in the process of installing operating system, we have acquired the misconception that only by reinstalling operating system can we repartition disk.

When first using computer, I always turned to the professional serviceman of the maintenance point because I could not install operating system. And he partitioned disk incidentally when installing operating system. Knowing noting about computer, I had that misconception mentioned above. And after a long time, the running speed of my computer became slower and slower. I did not know what the matter was, only thinking about reinstalling operating system. Therefore, I asked the serviceman for help again. He told me that this problem had nothing to do with system. I had installed too much software in system partition C;, which led to lack of space in Partition C:. This would cause slow operation of the system or computer down. When I asked whether we could only solve this problem by reinstalling operating system, he corrected my mistake. The third-party partition magic such as MiniTool Partition Wizard can help us manage partitions at any time.

After back home, I searched the software name on the internet, finding this partition magic which is from Canada. I downloaded the free home edition on the official website. After installing it, I began to resize Partition C:. According to the demonstrations on the official website and the software prompts in the operation, I shrunk Partition F: and extended the unallocated space to Partition C:. Having expanding Partition C:, I rebooted computer and its run speed became normal. This software is humanized. When resizing partition, we can not only input accurate value, but also drag the control bar, which is very useful for us who know little about computer. 

In the process of learning computer knowledge, I find some difficult problems become simple after we know the principle. Therefore, I suggest that all computer users acquire some knowledge of computer and related software so as to apply and manage our computers better.

How to recover lost partition?

It is reported that some users had encountered a strange situation. After installing Windows 7 Beta, some users complain that the original system partition is lost and users of dual guidance system or multiple operating systems also have the same plaint. The specific phenomenon is that partitions in Windows XP or Windows Vista disappear under Windows 7 Beta. And disk management tool is displayed as blank space without letter or properties.

This report was paid high attention and many users of multiple operating systems began to worry. It is a horrible matter if partition is lost. Because the consequence brought by partition loss is more serious than that caused data loss. We may not only be bothered with data loss in the whole partition, but we may also suffer serious financial losses caused by data loss. Therefore, how to retrieve the lost partition without data loss is an emergency for all users.

If installing windows 7 Beta lead to partition loss, most users will firstly think disk management tool built in operating system when encountering the above situation. But the disk management tool can't recover lost partition. So we have to choose the third-party software to restore data. There are so much data recovery software in the market, It is difficult for us to select one for much software can't really recover partition. Even though some can, they can not retrieve all data in the lost partition.

Restoring lost partition is an urgent thing. How to restore partition without data loss? Which software should we use? Many users are lost when facing so many questions. In order to settle this confusion, the specialist recommends MiniTool Partition Wizard for us.

The ordinary partition management software may not give the result which we look forward to. Nowadays, information is money. No matter partition loss or data loss in partition, we can not afford it. It is very difficult to recover partition perfectly if there is no good data recovery software. Fortunately, we have got MiniTool Partition Wizard. Now recovering data is a simple task. You just need several operations according to the software instructions. When you unfold “ Computer”, you will find that the lost partition has been restored without any data loss.

When users of multiple operating systems install Windows 7 Beta, you'd better not install it in the same partition with Windows Vista or Windows XP. So you can use MiniTool Partition Wizard to create new partitions to store several operating systems, which can guarantee smooth installation and normal run of every system.

How to deleted data thoroughly?

What measure do you often take to delete the unnecessary data in your computer? Can you ensure that deleted data can not be restored by data recovery software? If you can’t, I will introduce the most powerful method for data wipe.

The most powerful method? You may have doubt about it. Data wipe, in most people’s mind, is to delete the undesired data directly. And we do this operation everyday. Positively, deleting data is a simple task, but how to make data in computer disappear forever? Few people can make it. With the development of data recovery technology, the ways we take to delete data are not strong enough for us to prevent data leak. As far as I know, the software MiniTool Power Data Recovery can retrieve all deleted data in you daily operations. If you think formatting partition can eliminate data thoroughly, you are totally wrong; if you think deleting partition can make it, you are wrong, either. Not a data recovery professional, just you, if you are familiar with computer operation, and MiniTool Power Data Recovery can restore all your deleted data. Why? Because the way by which you delete the data is not the most powerful. No matter deleting data through recycle bin, formatting data or deleting partition, these ways are small cases for MiniTool Power Data Recovery.

Users who know the principle of data recovery may know the reason why MiniTool Power Data Recovery can regain the deleted data. When deleting data, we operate on file allocation table recording data information instead of operating on data directly. The operating system only marks the corresponding index file with a “deleted” sign, so we and the operating system are misled and think that the data has been deleted from the computer. And MiniTool Power Data Recovery makes full use of this principle to restore data. Similarly, it uses the same way to retrieve formatted data and deleted partition data. We can’t wipe data thoroughly unless we operate on data area directly. Otherwise, MiniTool Power Data Recovery may restore all deleted data except data that is overwritten.

Therefore, I sum up several ways to wipe data thoroughly. Since we can completely eliminate data by covering it, we just need to write new data into the partition after we delete some important files. So I often copy plenty of junk files to the partition until it was full filled. This method proves effective by repeating tests. Even MiniTool Power Data Recovery can not retrieve the data. If you are not ensured yet, you can perform this operation repeatedly.

I used to take this method to delete important data in computer. Later on I found this way had been taken by others and it was simpler. A few years ago, MiniTool Partition Wizard had possessed the function for wiping partition and disk and the working principle is similar to my operation. Both eliminate data by repeating wipe and write. However, MiniTool Partition Wizard is more superior to me. It provides five ways to wipe data. It is worthy of the name” the most powerful specialist for data wipe”

How to hide a partition and its advantages and disadvantages

I have ever done some tests on the hidden partition in Windows 7. And the test reveals that the hidden partition format is NTFS without volume label and letter. Its disk statuses are system, active, primary partition. It can not be seen because it has no letter. But this hidden partition of 100MB (200MB in Bata Edition) is very important to Windows 7 as it stores information of system boot files and disk boot sectors. If it is lost, the consequence will be disastrous for Windows 7. Therefore, storing the boot file of Windows 7 in the hidden partition improves Windows 7 security beyond any doubt and prevents artificial damage or damage caused by virus, for the hidden can only be modified or deleted in DOS interface. So many users are concerned about how to hide partition with important files or privacy.

To hide partition, we only need some partition magic. MiniTool Partition Wizard, released by the professional software development company MiniTool Solution Ltd., is some professional disk management software. It can hide partition to improve partition security. And the hidden partition is not displayed in the explorer. When need files in hidden, we can explore it with MiniTool Partition Wizard. Although the operation is a little complicated, it is necessary for users who want to hide partition to avoid data leak. We can apply MiniTool Partition Wizard to create a new partition to store the important data and then hide the new partition though the “Hide Partition” function. This operation is not only in favor of anti-virus, but also can guarantee data security.

However, hidden partition also has some disadvantages. Some brand computers use hidden partition to store hardware drivers and these drivers always occupy a lot of space. If disk space is not enough, we can back up them in the optical disk and delete them to release hidden partition space. However, many manufactures also store some operating system back up in the hidden partition. When recover system, we need to download much installation software and update software, so the system backup is useless and wasteful. So we can delete the hidden partition and merge it into Partition C: before deleting the hidden partition in Windows 7, we have to set C: as active partition and copy all data of the hidden partition to Partition C: otherwise, we can not boot operating system after the deletion.

We can hide partition according to our demands. If we attach importance to security, we can put all important in one partition and hide. If we pay much attention to disk space, we can delete the unessential hidden partition to release space.