[Server Helper] Convert NTFS to FAT32 in Server 2008/2012/2016/2022 without Data Loss

Are there any effective ways to convert NTFS to FAT32 without data loss? Read on to convert NTFS to FAT32.

Applies: Convert NTFS to FAT32 on Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2022.

Times: 4 minutes to read.

Data Security: No data loss with a third-party tool.

Ready to convert NTFS to FAT32 in Server 2008-2022? When it comes to transforming a file system, the difference between two file systems and tools that we can use often arises from our minds. But, of course, no need to knit brows. In this article, you have four choices to change your file system between NTFS and FAT32. 

Everything You Need to Know about NTFS and FAT32

FAT32 and NTFS are the two different file systems on the computer. FAT32, aka File Allocation Table, is often used on all Windows versions and includes macOS, PlayStation, and Linux. On the other hand, NTFS (New Technology File System) is a journaling file system mainly used on Windows Server.

Check comparison table about two formats:

When Do You Need to Convert NTFS to FAT32 on Server Computer?

- "Can NTFS convert to FAT32?"

- "How can I convert NTFS to FAT32 without formatting?"

If you found your device (hard drive or USB drive) with NTFS format is not compatible with Windows PC, this article can guide you through multiple methods on converting NTFS to FAT32.

Moreover, if the PC with an NTFS file system can not recognize your game, you can convert to FAT32 to solve the incompatibility issue.

Download Server NTFS to FAT32 Converter

Here, we recommend one free incredible NTFS converter that can help you easily convert NTFS to FAT32 without losing data. There is no need to check complex command lines or back up huge files; EaseUS Partition Master Enterprise can convert the file system to another format on Windows Server, Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP. You are free to change the file system between NTFS and FAT32. 

It is not just a file system converter. EaseUS Partition Master Enterprise also can manage disk space for better PC performance on Windows Servers.

• Support to convert MBR to GPT or vice versa, convert basic to dynamic or vice versa. 
• Support to resize, shrink, delete, format, create partitions.
• Support to clone disk in Windows Server.

Use Professional Converter to Convert NTFS to FAT32 Without Formatting

Now, following easy steps to start changing the file system:

Step 1. Right-click target device partition and select "Advanced" > "Convert to FAT".

Step 2. When the check process completes, click "Proceed" to start NTFS to FAT32 conversion.

Step 3. Click "Apply" to save all changes.

Other Manual Ways (Need Formatting)

Besides a well-designed utility, Windows Server also has three ways to convert NTFS to FAT32.

Note: Data Loss Warning! The following three solutions are going to format your hard drive. First, it is vital to back up all essential files. Then remember to restore files to the previous state after formatting.

1. Change NTFS to FAT32 with Disk Management

Step 1. Press "Windows +X," then click Disk Management from the menu.

Step 2. Right-click the device you want to convert, then choose "Format" from the pop-up list.

Step 3. Click "Yes" > Select file system as "FAT32" > Click OK.

Your hard drive or USB drive is shown as FAT32 in Disk Management.

2. Format NTFS to FAT32 with Diskpart

Step 1. Open Search icon, type cmd inbox, right-click on cmd, and choose "Run as administrator."

Step 2. When Command Prompt opens, type "diskpart" and then press Enter.

Step 3. Type the following command lines (Press Enter each time after typing a command):

list disk

Select disk n (Change N as the target device's disk number, such as "select disk 1".

list volume

select volume n (Replace n with the selected volume.)

Format fs=fat32 quick

Step 4. Type exit when the formatting process finishes.

Now, your drive is displaying as FAT32.

3. Use Windows File Explorer to Change NTFS to FAT32

Step 1. Connect your USB drive to Windows PC.

Step 2. Type "File Explorer" on the search box. Open it.

Step 3. Right-click on the USB drive select "Format."

Step 4. Choose File system as FAT32 (Default). Tick "Quick Format." Then click "Start" to start the formatting process.

Step 5. Click OK to confirm.

Conclusion

This post explained what NTFS and FAT32 are, the difference between NTFS and FAT32, and why the file system is needed. 

Here are four options you can choose to do the conversion job:

• EaseUS Partition Master Free - Easy Steps; No data loss.
• Other three choices (File Explorer; Disk Management; Command Prompt) - Have to back up all data first; Windows built-in methods.

FAQs about Converting NTFS to FAT32 on Windows Servers

Here the following, we added some more questions that are related to NTFS to FAT32 conversion on Windows Server computers. If you have same doubts as listed here, follow and find the answer below instantly.

1. What command in Windows Server 2012 can you use to format a disk for FAT32?

Most Windows Server users may prefer to apply the Command Prompt Diskpart to format a disk to FAT32. So what command in Windows Server can you use to format a disk for FAT32?

Here is it: format fs=fat32 quick.

Note that the Windows system has a volume size limit for FAT32 format, if your hard drive partition is bigger than 32GB, you can't format the volume to FAT32 with a command line. At this moment, you'll need to turn to a third-party format tool like EaseUS Partition Master which breaks the limit with its powerful formatting algorithm. 

2. How to convert NTFS to FAT32 using CMD?

• Connect the external storage device to your PC if you need to convert a removable disk to FAT32.
• Back up all valuable files from the target drive to another safe location.
• Press Windows + R keys, type cmd, and hit Enter to open the command prompt.
• Type diskpart and hit Enter.
• Type list disk and hit Enter.
• Type select disk * and hit Enter. (Replace * with the number of your target disk.)
• Type list volume and hit Enter.
• Type select volume * and hit Enter. (Replace * with the volume number on your target drive.)
• Type format fs=fat32 quick and hit Enter.

Once done, you've successfully converted NTFS to FAT32 by formatting the target device using CMD.

3. Can you copy NTFS to FAT32?

Yes, you can copy files and data from NTFS to FAT32. One thing that you need to be aware of is that FAT32 has a maximum file size limit. FAT32 only supports storing single files smaller than 4GB, while NTFS doesn't have this limit.

In other words, if you have a file larger than 4GB in the NTFS drive, you can't directly copy it from NTFS to FAT32 successfully. To deal with this issue, you have two ways out: 1. Compress the big file to smaller than 4GB, and copy from NTFS to FAT32. 2. Change the file system format of the FAT32 disk to other format - exFAT or NTFS, etc.