Format or convert?

[Herzl Regev]

When converting a FAT filesystem into NTFS, what are the pros and cons of
using convert v. format, other than the backup issue? E.g. is there a danger
to the integrity of the files under conversion?

 

[Mark Adams]

When converting a FAT filesystem into NTFS, what are the pros and cons of
using convert v. format, other than the backup issue? E.g. is there a danger
to the integrity of the files under conversion?

Converting FAT to NTFS is supposed to leave files on the partition intact.
As always, there might be some risk of data corruption or loss during the
conversion. It would be wise to have a backup of those files.

Formatting wipes everything out on the partition, so you most definitely
need to have files backed up to a different location.

 

[smlunatick]

When converting a FAT filesystem into NTFS, what are the pros and cons of
using convert v. format, other than the backup issue? E.g. is there a danger
to the integrity of the files under conversion?

Integrity of files is always a concern. Convert usually works well
and would normally keep the files intact Format would force you to
"copy" the files off the drive to be converted and then to copy them
back.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

When converting a FAT filesystem into NTFS, what are the pros and cons of
using convert v. format, other than the backup issue? E.g. is there a danger
to the integrity of the files under conversion?

There is no need to format.

To convert to NTFS, you use the CONVERT command. But first read
http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm because there's an important issue
regarding cluster size that isn't obvious.

Also note that conversion is a big step, affecting everything on your
drive. When you take such a big step, no matter how unlikely, it is
always possible that something could go wrong. For that reason, it's
prudent to make sure you have a backup of anything you can't afford to
lose before beginning.

 

[Anteaus]

The main risk would be that of a power failure during the conversion. If
these is any possibility of this then it might be worthwhile to beg or borrow
a UPS. Otherwise, it's rare for the conversion to go wrong.