The convert in Windows command

The convert command converts File Allocation Table (FAT) and FAT32 to the NTFS file system, keeping existing files and folders intact. The drives that have been converted to NTFS file systems cannot be converted to FAT or FAT32 anymore.

The convert command converts File Allocation Table (FAT) and FAT32 to the NTFS file system, keeping existing files and folders intact. The drives that have been converted to NTFS file systems cannot be converted to FAT or FAT32 anymore.

For an example of how to use this command, please see the Example below.

Convert command syntax

 convert [] /fs:ntfs [/v] [/cvtarea:] [/nosecurity] [/x]

Parameters

ParameterDescription Specifies the drive letter (after the colon), mount point or drive letter to convert to NTFS. / fs: ntfs Required. Convert drive to NTFS. / v Run the convert command in verbose mode, displaying all notifications during the conversion process. / cvtarea:

Specify that the Master File Table (MFT) and other NTFS metadata files are written to the existing adjacent placeholder file. This file must be in the root directory of the converted file system. Using the / cvtarea parameter can lead to a file system that is less fragmented after conversion. For best results, the size of this file must be 1KB multiplied by the number of files and directories in the file system, even though the convert command accepts files of any size.

Important note: You must create the placeholder file by using the fsutil file createnew command before running the convert command . The convert command does not create this file for you. The convert command will overwrite this file with NTFS metadata. After conversion, any unused space in this file is released.

/ nosecurity Specifies that security settings on converted files and folders allow all users to access them. / x Remove mount drive, if necessary, before it is converted. Any open installation for the drive will no longer be valid. /? Show help at the command prompt.

Note

If convert cannot lock the drive (for example, the drive is a system drive or the current drive), you are given the option to convert the drive the next time you restart the computer. If you cannot restart the computer immediately to complete the conversion, plan the time to restart the computer and allow more time for the conversion process to complete.
For files converted from FAT or FAT32 to NTFS:

Due to the use of the current drive, the MFT is created in a different location than on the location on the original formatted drive with NTFS, so the drive performance may not be as good as the original drive formatted. with NTFS. For optimal performance, consider recreating these drives and formatting them with the NTFS file system.

The drive converted from FAT or FAT32 to NTFS leaves files intact, but the drive may lack some performance benefits compared to the original drive formatted with NTFS. For example, the MFT may be fragmented on a converted drive. Also, on the boot drive being converted, the convert command applies the same default security applied in Windows Setup.