How to Convert NTFS to EXT4 Without Losing Data on Windows 10

Q: How to convert the file system from NTFS to EXT4 in Windows?

“I want to convert one partition of on my Windows, which is NTFS (or can be FAT32) to a Linux file system partitioning? I'm looking for some tools or ways to convert NTFS to EXT4without losing my data, any suggestion?”

NTFS and EXT4 are file systems for two different computer systems, the former for Windows and the latter for Linux. However, there are many demands for converting file system from NTFS to EXT4 or in the vice versa, especially when you have dual boot the PC.

If you are wondering how to convert NTFS to EXT4 on Windows, you are not alone. Here, we will show you the simplest way to convert NTFS to EXT4 without losing data with a competent partition manager program - EaseUS Partition Master.

How to Convert NTFS to EXT4 Without Losing Data

Obviously, it is not allowed to format NTFS to EXT4 using Windows built-in disk management tool - Disk Management. In such a condition, to convert NTFS to EXT4 on Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7, a robust partition manager tool is indispensable.

EaseUS Partition Master provides full-around partition and disk management solutions for your Windows computer, for instances:

• Resize/move partitions, create, format, delete, and merge partitions with advanced options, like drag to transfer space from D drive to C drive 
• Convert disk/partition easily, including converting a logical partition to primary, FAT to NTFS partition, NTFS to FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4, MBR disk to GPT, or GPT disk to MBR
• Copy and clone an entire disk to another even the target partition is smaller than the source
• Completely wipe out all the data on the hard disk to prevent information from being leaked or recovered
• Migrate OS to SSD to speed up Windows to without reinstalling

After downloading EaseUS Partition Master, refer to the following guide to format and convert your NTFS partition to EXT4.

 

Step 1: Launch EaseUS Partition Master

Right-click on the target drive and choose "Format".

Step 2: Set the partition file system as EXT2, EXT3, or EXT4.

A mini window pops out, on which you can edit the partition label, and choose a file system. Here you should choose EXT2, EXT3, or EXT4. Click "OK".

Step 3: Confirm to format data

Then you will see a warning window, click "OK" in it to continue.

Step 4: Execute format to EXT2/EXT3/EXT4 operation

Click "Execute Operation" > "Apply". Now you've successfully formatted an EXT2/EXT3/EXT4 hard drive that can be used on a Linux computer.

Bonus Tips: How to Recover Data From Formatted Hard Drive

If you forget to back up your NTFS disk before formatting it, and your data is permanently lost. Don't panic. Immediately apply EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to quickly recover formatted hard drive and get back the missing data.

This powerful file recovery tool can recover any deleted or lost data from emptied recycle bin, HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, external hard drive, and SD card in complex data loss cases, including accidental deletion, device formatting, lost partition, virus attack, OS crash, and so on.

Step 1. Choose the partition.

Launch EaseUS formatted data recovery software after the installation. Choose the hard drive partition which you've accidentally formatted. Click "Scan".

Step 2. Select wanted files.

After the scanning process, you can click "Filter" to filter a specific file type to quickly find wanted files.

Step 3. Recover files to a secure location.

Select the data files you wish to recover. Click "Recover". Choose a location to store the files and click "OK".

Final Verdict

When you plan to convert NTFS to EXT4 or convert EXT4 to NTFS on Windows, ask the help of EaseUS Partition Master. With this tool, you can format NTFS partition to EXT4 within a few clicks. What's more, you can enjoy more functions to manage your EXT4 partitions, such as resize EXT4 partition, create, delete, wipe, merge, and clone EXT4 partitions without effort.

Give it a try to easily organize your hard drive and optimize disk partitions to improve your computer's performance.

FAQs on How to Convert NTFS to EXT4 on Windows

The following are the top five highly relevant questions on how to convert NTFS to EXT4 on Windows without losing data. If you also have any of these problems, you can find the methods here.

1. How can I convert NTFS to EXT4 without losing data?

You can back up your files on the NTFS partition at first, then use EaseUS partition management tool to format NTFS to EXT4 directly. Using this EXT4 formatter Windows 10, there is no need to delete the NTFS partition or shrink the NTFS partition.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master. Right-click on the NTFS drive and choose "Format".

Step 2. Set the partition file system as EXT4. Click "OK".

Step 3. Confirm to format data. Then, execute format NTFS to EXT4 operation.

2. Is ext4 better than NTFS?

EXT4 and NTFS apply to different computer operating systems. Comparing these two file system has no practical meaning. When you select the system you select the file system.

• NTFS is a proprietary journaling file system developed by Microsoft. Starting with Windows NT 3.1, it is the default file system of the Windows NT family.
• EXT4 or Extended Files System version 4 is the file system for Linux. It is the evolution of the most used Linux filesystem, Ext3. In many ways, Ext4 is a deeper improvement over Ext3 and Ext2.

3. Can Windows read ext4?

The Linux supports NTFS, but Windows 10 doesn't offer any support for EXT4, so Windows can't read EXT4. But you can use third-party software to read EX4 on Windows 10, like using EaseUS partition manager program.

4. How can I convert NTFS to Exfat without formatting?

Basically, there's no direct way to convert NTFS to exFAT. These two file systems store information in a much different way. The way to convert NTFS to Exfat is formatting. You can back up files saved on NTFS drive somewhere, then format the partition to ext4 and move them back.

5. What is the best file system for Linux?

EXT4. Ext4 is the preferred and most widely used Linux file System. Ext4 has all the advantages you expected in the previous file system (Ext2/Ext3), also bringing some improvements. It does better in log verification, multiple block file allocation, compatibility, continuous pre-allocation of free space, and greater file support.