Windows 7 partition loss due to improper file system conversion



File system refers to set of logical constructs and is an important working component of any system, based on which organization of files or how the hard drive space is to be utilized in determined. Different file system viz. FAT and NTFS have their own distinct features and in order to get those, file system conversion is often done.

However, it should always kept in mind that file system is one of the critical utility and converting it is not that simple. So, whenever such conversion say from FAT32 to NTFS file system is to be done, making data backup prior to it is really important. Apart from that converting partition which do not have null label following SysPrep cloning method, there may even occur more severe issue. Varying with method of conversion one or more errors may be received that finally leads to inaccessible volume due to unsuccessful file system conversion. This and such other cases of partition loss require appropriate application to be handled.



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When converting file system with Sysprep method, along with use of Sysprep.inf file, process does not take place as expected “[UNATTEND] FileSystem=ConvertNTFS”
In other cases, using convert.exe tool with partition label present message is shown as – “The type of the file system is FAT32. Enter current volume label for Drive X:”


Also it is likely to receive another message as ”convert cannot gain exclusive access to X: drive, so it cannot convert it now. Would you like to schedule it to be converted the next time system restarts(Y/N)?”

And this renders windows 7 partition inaccessible and acute data loss problem, such that identifying the cause of the issue and accordingly its rectification can be done.


Cause :- It is since ConvertNTFS parameter cannot function in mini setup phase, as this supports clones system obtained using system preparation utility. However, text mode setup supports this utility being not implemented via system preparation utility.


To resolve improper file system conversion issue which leads to partition loss, use of convert.exe command line utility is preferred. The tool can be incorporated in system preparation process.


No doubt the tool so described efficiently coverts file system, however the lost partition and data is not taken into account by it and you essentially have to use windows 7 partition recovery to retrieve lost data and files back. Different file system exFAT, FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, VFAT, NTFS and NTFS5 of window 2000, XP, 2003, Vista and windows 7 are supported by it.



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