Computersight -

NTFS is Better than FAT

Hard disks can either use the NTFS file system, as used in the most recent versions of Windows, or the older FAT system that is supported by earlier Windows versions. Analysis of drives before defragmentation is substantially faster on NTFS drives. For FAT systems, users must wait considerably longer and can take the popular coffee break. This is just one of several reasons why the old FAT system should be converted to the modern NTFS system.

The NTFS file system (NTFS = New Technology File System) is the file system from Windows NT and its successors (e.g. Windows 2000, XP , Vista) right up to Windows 7. It offers an intelligently devised access protection to file levels, allows flexible management of privileges, accommodates file sizes above 4 GB, offers automatic error correction of the file system and can utilize the storage space of today’s standard hard disk sizes in a considerably more efficient manner.

If your hard disks still use the FAT file system, you can carry out a very simple conversion.

Click the Windows Start icon, open Programs, navigate to the Accessories area and click Command Prompt. By entering this CONVERT.EXE C: /FS:NTFS command into the small black window, conversion will start.

Replace C: with another drive letter to convert a different partition. If the system partition is changed, the computer will need to be restarted. In this case, follow the instructions on your screen.

Note: Although conversion is considered very secure, you should make a backup of your saved data before attempting this.