Ceci n'est pas une pipe

Until a few years ago, installing Windows XP was common practice to choose to format the primary partition with the FAT32 filesystem. This is mainly because of the accessibility of data even from older operating systems (Windows 98) or "alternative" (Linux for read access and write access to NTFS partitions was introduced with some delay, for obvious reasons).

It happens even today to find old workstation with FAT32 filesystem. Lapsed reasonable motivation to keep this kind of choice in these cases I recommend to convert from FAT32 to NTFS, since the transaction is safe, proven, and that brings undoubted benefits in operational terms, first of all the ability to handle volumes larger than 32GB (maximum limit for FAT32).

The conversion operation is extremely simple. Simply open a DOS window and issue the following command:

Convert X: /FS:NTFS /V /NoSecurity

• X: is the drive we want to convert (for example: C :)
• / V indicates to display the details of each operation (verbose mode)
• / NoSecurity can not restrict access to files converted to NTFS

You will be asked the name of the volume for which to convert. If the volume has no name, press enter without entering anything. The rest is in an almost automatic. Here is an example of simple steps through which to pass:

Conversione Partizione Win XP (C)
Il file system è di tipo FAT32.
Inserire l'etichetta di volume corrente per l'unità C:: Win XP
Impossibile eseguire la conversione. Il volume è utilizzato
da un altro processo. Smontare il volume per eseguire
la conversione. TUTTI GLI HANDLE APERTI NEL VOLUME
CESSERANNO IN QUESTO MODO DI ESSERE VALIDI.
Forzare lo smontaggio su questo volume? (Sì/No)

Answer Yes (Y) to the last question. The system will warn you that you unmount the volume is in use and ask if you want to program the operation on the next reboot. Again, answer yes and restart the machine.

As I said, the operation is extremely safe and proven, but - as they say overseas - "shit happens", so I recommend making a backup prior when, for example, will cut off the light just as you are performing the conversion the filesystem.