Are you willing to convert your FAT32 file system to the NTFS file system? Then you should create complete backup of your significant data before proceeding. If you convert file system during Sysprep cloning process and partition that is being converted does not have null (blank) label, conversion may not complete successfully. Depending upon the conversion method, either an error occurs that disappears before it can be read or you do not encounter any error. The partition becomes inaccessible after unsuccessful conversion and you face partition loss. In order to recover inaccessible or lost partitions in such cases, you have to recover partition using appropriate tools.

If you are using the Sysprep method in conjunction with an altered Sysprep.inf file and add the below line to section, the conversion can not complete successfully:

“[UNATTEND] FileSystem=ConvertNTFS”

In case you use the Convert.exe tool for converting the file system and partition has any label, the below message appears:

“The type of the file system is FAT32. Enter current volume label for Drive X:” When you enter the partition label, the below message appears:

“Convert cannot gain exclusive access to the X: drive, so it cannot convert it now. Would you like to schedule it to be converted the next time the system restarts (Y/N)?”

This behavior leaves your Windows partition in unusable state. To salvage lost partition and stored data, identify the root of this issue and perform Windows data recovery. Cause

Use of ConvertNTFS parameter isn't supported during Mini-Setup phase, which is run after preparing a cloned system with System Preparation Utility. It is supported only during the text mode setup that is not invoked by System Preparation utility.

Resolution

You can easily convert the FAT32 file system to NTFS file system using Convert.exe command-line utility. You can incorporate the Convert.exe command-line tool into system preparation process.

The above method helps you to successfully convert the file system, however it can not fix the partition damage caused by unsuccessful or incomplete conversion process. When it occurs, you need to use partition recovery software to get your Windows hard drive partitions recovered.

The Windows data recovery tools are particularly designed to carry out in-depth scan of the entire Windows hard drive and to extract all lost partitions from it. They are pretty safe and easy to use.

Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is the most efficient utility to ensure absolute recovery of all lost Windows partitions. It efficiently recovers all exFAT, NTFS5, NTFS, FAT32, VFAT, FAT16, and FAT12 file system partitions. The software is compatible with MS Windows 7, Vista, 2003, XP, and 2000.