Forum Discussion
How to convert NTFS to FAT32 without losing data on Windows 11/10?
- Sep 13, 2024
If your 4TB hard drive is in NTFS format and Mac cannot directly write to NTFS format, you can indeed consider converting it to FAT32, so that both Windows and Mac can support it. However, direct formatting is definitely not an option because you cannot lose so much data. I have encountered a similar situation before, and later used Partition Manager to directly convert NTFS to FAT32, and the data was not lost at all. Moreover, this tool is easy to use and can be done in a few steps. I recommend you to try it.
I followed this tutorial: (worked for me)
https://www.gicmodo.com/how-to-convert-ntfs-to-fat32
Converting NTFS to FAT32 can improve compatibility across various devices. FAT32 is an older file system supported by a wide range of devices like game consoles, cameras, and older operating systems, including Linux and macOS. If you plan to use an external drive or USB stick across multiple platforms, FAT32 ensures it can be read and written by most devices without additional drivers or software.
FAT32 is also more efficient for smaller storage devices. NTFS, designed for modern hard drives and large file systems, can be overkill for smaller storage devices like USB drives or memory cards. By converting to FAT32, you might reduce the overhead that NTFS adds, which can make FAT32 a better choice for devices with lower storage capacities or for drives primarily used for small files.