Written By:
Date Posted: August 27, 2001

Format as NTFS, using Disk Management, in Windows 2000, Cont'd

Note: You will need to be logged in as an Administrator to do these changes.

Once the tool is open, you select which partition you want to reformat. Select it, then right click. A pop up window will appear, and you can select Format.

Another pop up will appear, and you can choose a volume name, file system and cluster size. I usually leave it at default. Make sure you choose NTFS, since that's the whole point of this guide. :P

It's best to not select a quick format since there may be errors if you have a shaky disk. I also wouldn't bother using file compression since it's going to slow you down.

Format as NTFS, in DOS window, in Windows 2000

Let's say that like example #2, your PC isn't formatted with NTFS. Also, let's say that you have no backup storage devices, and you have some large files that wouldn't fit on another partition. Windows includes a tool called Convert, which is suitable for this scenario. It does as it's name suggests, converting FAT to NTFS.

To use Convert, you need to go to a DOS window. Simply click on Start, go to Run, then type cmd. A dos Window will appear. At the prompt, type convert d: /FS:NTFS.

One of two things should happen. Either the format will proceed as expected, or it will tell you some message that the disk is in use and cannot be formatted. It'll ask if you'd like to do so on the next reboot. If you say ok, it'll reformat into NTFS next time you reboot your PC. Note that Convert is a one way trip. you cannot use the tool to go back to FAT.

Prev Next