In software, upgrade is the process of replacing older version with newer one of the same software. Upgrade is used in both system software (operating system) and application to replace with more advanced and better version. It improves the characteristics of software and updates it with latest features. You can also upgrade the system data structures, like file system in Windows operating system. In order to prevent the data loss situations and need of Windows Partition Recovery, in case of upgrade failure, you should create a complete backup of all your precious data.

However, in some situations, while upgrading to Microsoft Windows Vista, you may encounter some problems and, file system and operating system upgrade process fails halfway. It causes incomplete upgrade process and unbootable system, which cause partition loss eventually. In such cases, you are required to use the Partition Recovery methods to retrieve lost partitions.

As a practical example of failed file system conversion and upgrade process, you cannot select the upgrade options while installing MS Windows Vista. Additionally, Windows gives you the below error in the Install Windows dialog box:

"Upgrade has been disabled.

To upgrade Windows, your hard disk partition must be formatted as NTFS. To reformat the partition, cancel the installation, open the Command Prompt window, and then type: convert c: /fs:ntfs"

The above error message terminates Windows Vista upgrade process.

Cause

The problem generally occurs if you upgrade a version of Windows operating system that's installed on the FAT32 file system partition. Windows Vista needs NTFS file system on a the partition or volume on which you're attempting to install it.

Solution

To sort out this issue, you need to convert your existing FAT32 file system partition to NTFS. You can do it through the below steps:

Click Start button and select Run.

Type CMD in the text box and click OK button.

It opens a command prompt window.

Write convert :/FS:NTFS on command prompt and press Enter key.

After completion of the conversion process, reboot Windows system.

If the conversion process gets halted due to power failure or system crash, partition loss occurs. At this point, Partition Recovery Software come for your rescue. They Recover Partition in most of the partition loss situations, in a quick, safe, and easy way.

Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is the most efficient utility that successfully recovers lost Windows partitions from all types of hard drive. The software recovers NTFS5, NTFS, VFAT, FAT32, and FAT16 file system partitions. It is usable with Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, 2003, XP, and 2000.