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How to Convert FAT32 to exFAT without Losing Data (3 Ways)
How to convert FAT32 to exFAT without losing data? This article will introduce you to 3 useful methods, namely using Disk Management, DiskPart, and File Explore. Scroll down to explore more.
By Ivy / Updated on December 26, 2024
Can I Change FAT32 to exFAT without Formatting?
So I have a 2 TB external hard drive. It's formatted in FAT 32 but I want it to be exfat. To do so I would have to format it to exfat. But the problem is I have no other hard drive to back up all my files. So I was wondering if there's a way I can change my hard drive to exFAT without formatting it and losing all my data.
No, Microsoft only allows you to change FAT32 to exFAT using the formatting method, which has 3 ways. So, it’s necessary to backup files before converting file systems.
Usually, reliable backup software like AOMEI Backupper Standard will provide different backup destinations, such as internal or external drives, network drives or NAS, cloud storage, etc.
Why Choose exFAT over FAT32?
FAT32 and exFAT are the most popular file systems, but they are different. FAT32 has an obvious disadvantage - it is limited to a maximum file size of 4GB. If that's all, you can also use the NTFS file system. So which is the better option? Here's a comparison chart.
| FAT32 | exFAT | NTFS | |
|
👍Best for |
Store small files on removable devices | Store small or large files on external or USB drives | Store large files on internal hard drives |
| 💻Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, game consoles, and just about anything with a USB port. | all versions of Windows and Mac OS X; compatible with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One | compatible only with all versions of Windows, from Windows XP to Windows 11, as well as Microsoft Xbox One |
|
📄Size |
max 4GB file size and 2TB partition size | no file size limit | no file size limit |
|
💾Speed |
slower reading and writing speed | high response speed for small files, 15MB/s write speed for large files | very slow for small files but fastest for large files, 25MB/s. |
How to Convert FAT32 to exFAT without Losing Data
Here are 3 simple and effective methods to convert external or USB drives from FAT32 to exFAT without losing data.
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exFAT file system is not compatible with Mac OS X older than 10.6.5.
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Please backup files to external hard drive or any recognized storage device. As formatting will erase all data on the disk.
Way 1: Convert FAT32 to exFAT in File Explore
In File Explorer, Microsoft provides you with a quick way to format FAT32 to exFAT. Please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open File Explorer by pressing the Win + E keys. Then, find the FAT32 external drives, right-click I,t and select Format.
Step 2: In the Format window, go to the file system section and change FAT32 to exFAT from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Be sure the Quick Format option is checked. Then, click the Start button to format and convert FAT32 to exFAT.
Way 2: Convert FAT32 to exFAT in Disk Management
Disk Management is a built-in disk partition manager software, which allows you to format disk and change file system from FAT21 to exFAT in a few clicks. Here’s how：
Step 1. Right-click the start icon and select Disk Management.
Step 2. Locate the FAT32 external drive, right-click it, and select Format
Step 3. In the Format X: window, select exFAT from the file system drop-down menu. Then, click OK to start the formatting process.
Way 3: Convert FAT32 to exFAT in DiskPart
You can also convert FAT32 to exFAT using the Diskpart tool. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Then, type diskpart and click OK to open it
Step 2: Type the following commands one by one and press Enter to execute them.
- list disk
- select disk n
- list partition
- select partition m
- format fs = exFAT
Step 3: Wait for the process to complete. Then, type exit and press Enter to leave.
Bonus Tips to Recover Data from Formatted Drive
If you forget to backup files before converting FAT32 to exFAT, there is still a chance to recover data from a formatted drive. In most cases, Microsoft uses the quick format method, which only deletes the file directories instead of actual data, thus making them invisible.
At this time, you can’t access the disk, but powerful data recovery software like MyRecover can do so and scan all recoverable data for recovery. This is all thanks to its top-notch algorithms. Also, it provides users with a user-friendly interface, rich features, and reliable results.
❤❤❤ Why Choose MyRecover?
✔ Uphold multiple data types, such as documents, images(e.g. recover PNG files), audios, videos,etc., over 1000 formats.
✔Automatically search all recoverable fileswith Quick Scan & Deep Scan.
✔ Search or filter files quickly through the filename, extension, data type, etc.
✔ Recover specific files or folders instead of all.
✔ Preview and recover files while scanning.
✔ Support NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS file systems.
✔ Recover data in any disaster, such as accidental deletion, formatted or damaged drive, virus infection, lost partition, system crashes, etc.
To get started, please download it on your computer. It’s compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Sever PCs.
Step 1. Scan your external drive
Connect the formatted external drive to your computer via a compatible adapter or external enclosure. Then, launch MyRecover. Hover the mouse over it and click Scan.
Step 2. Search for recoverable data
MyRecover can automatically scan the external disk to find all recoverable files. The Quick Scan searches for recently deleted files while Deep Scan searches for other missing files. Here are two ways to locate them:
- From sidebar directories: Expand the Deleted Files/Other Missing Files folder and go the original location to find data on external drive.
- Search or filter data: Specify a data type, such as “Documents” first.Then, type name or extension in the search box. You can also set the date (today, yesterday, last 7/30 days, etc.), and size (<128KB, 128KB~1MB, 1MB~ 512MB, etc.).
Step 3. Start external hard drive data recovery
Once found, double-click them to preview and select the desired files by ticking the checkboxes or leaving them blank. Then, click “Recover x files “and select a new location to save the recovered files.
It is not limited to recovering data from formatted external hard drives, but also hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, memory cards, etc., in the following scenarios:
- Recover data from formatted SSD drive
- Recover files deleted by virus
- Recover files from lost partition
- Recover deleted files from Recycle Bin
- Recover permanently deleted files
- ......
Conclusion
This article describes how to convert FAT32 to exFAT without losing data in 3 easy and effective methods. Please be sure to backup files to external hard drives or other storage devices at first. AOMEI Backupper Standard is worth trying as backup software for Windows.
It doesn’t matter if you forget to backup files. You still can employ powerful data recovery software like MyRecover to scan and recover data from formatted drives. It supports multiple data types, from documents to images, videos, etc., in over 1000+ formats.
FAQs
1. Can exFAT replace FAT32?
2. Will I lose my data if I format to exFAT?
Yes, the formatting method will delete all data on the formatted disk. But if you use the Quick Format option, your data are still recoverable with reliable data recovery software. MyRecover is a good choice.
- Download and install MyRecover on your computer. Then, open it.
- Select the formatted drive and click Scan.
- Wait until the scanning process is complete.
- Then, expand the sidebar directories or use the Search or Filter feature to check the result.
- Preview the data, select them, and click Recover x files.
3. Is FAT32 obsolete?
4. How to change from FAT32 to exFAT?
- Connect the USB to your computer through a USB port.
- Click the Start icon and select File Explore.
- In This PC section, right-click the USB and select Format.
- In the Format window, select the exFAT file system. Click OK to confirm this operation.
5. Is FAT32 only 32GB?
100%
Clean & Secure
