How to Convert RAW to NTFS Without Formatting

Summary

When your disk/partition or USB storage device becomes RAW due to improper operation, virus attack, or internal error, don't be panic. You can convert RAW to NTFS using CMD without formatting. If the CMD fails, you still can use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to restore files from the RAW drive, then format RAW to NTFS without losing data.

Why do you need to convert RAW to NTFS?

When a hard drive/partition, external hard drive, USB/SD or memory card becomes RAW, you can't access and read the data on the RAW drive. Mostly, in this case, you have to format the RAW file system to NTFS and make the disk/drive reusable again. However, we all know that disk formatting will erase everything on the storage device. If you want to avoid data loss, you can first try to convert RAW to NTFS system with CMD. If this fails, continue using EaseUS hard drive recovery software to restore files from RAW drive and then format it to NTFS without losing data.

How to Convert RAW to NTFS Without Formatting 

You can convert RAW to NTFS without formatting using CMD with the step by step guides below.

Method to Change RAW to NTFS file system with CMD.

• Click on Start, then type: cmd and hit Enter.
• Right click on cmd and then click on "Run As Administrator".
• Type "Diskpart" and then hit Enter.
• Type H: /FS :NTFS and hit Enter. (H shall be the drive letter of your RAW storage device.)

Now, your RAW will fix RAW partition without formatting via CMD. But usually, the CMD will fail and you will get the message "CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives." If so, don't get discouraged, go on using a data recovery tool to change RAW to NTFS without losing data. 

How to Convert RAW to NTFS Without Losing Data

If the CMD doesn't work, you need to format the RAW drive to NFTS to use again. And you can do it without losing any important file by using the following method. 

First. Recover Data from the RAW Drive 

In order to avoid unnecessary data loss caused by converting RAW to NTFS, before the formatting, we highly recommend you try data recovery from the RAW drive at first via Professional EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard within 3 simple steps. This versatile data recovery program enables you to recover lost files from internal and external storage devices from formatting, deletion, partition loss or damage, software crash, virus infection, unexpected shutdown or other unknown reasons.

Now, download this software and follow steps below to restore files from the RAW drive.

Step 1. Locate and scan the RAW hard drive.

On EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, locate the RAW drive and then click "Scan". The program will automatically scan all lost files and data on the RAW drive.

Step 2. Find and preview found data in the RAW drive. 

When the scanning process finishes, find lost RAW drive data in "Deleted Files", "Lost Files" or "Existing Files". Filter and Search features also can locate the found files with ease. Check and double-click each file to preview them. 

Step 3. Restore and save RAW drive data.

Choose the found files from RAW Drive and click "Recover" to save the items to a new location.

Second. Format and Convert RAW to NTFS

After getting lost data back, you can change RAW to NTFS by formatting now. 

• Go to This PC or Disk Management, and right-click on the RAW partition or drive, select "Format".
• Set Volume Label, File System (NTFS), and Allocation unit size. The default format option is Quick Format. Then, click "OK" to start the operation.

After reformatting, you can access and use the RAW file system partition or drive as normal.