Windows 10: Hidden partitions after cloning

This is a computer I built several years ago (E6300).
I have upgraded from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 Pro.
I have cloned the HDD to an SSD. (I eventually figured out how using Macrium Reflect. There was another D: partition for which I used Aomei Partition Assistant to combine it with C:.)
This is what Disk Management shows now:





Notice that the recovery partition is empty, although there is something in the other hidden partition.
1. What is typically in a recovery partition? Anything related to using Create a Restore Point?
2. What might be in the other (350MB) hidden partition?
3. Can either of these be safely deleted? Not that the space is needed but I'd just like to know.

I understand that a partition ahead of C: cannot be combined with C:, but the unused 450MB recovery partition could be.

Suggestions/discussion appreciated.

P.S. I cloned another computer and the recovery partition ended up being called D:. ???

:)

 

Cloning HDD to SSD

I have a Kingspec 64gb SSD, how do you go about cloning the 120gb drive to a 64gb SSD?



Do i use Acronis True Image to clone the hidden recovery partition to USB stick and then use the Acronis True Image recovery CD to apply the image of the hidden partition onto the SSD, and then F8 system recovery and reinstall?



Or am i barking up the wrong tree?



I have used Windows Anytime Upgrade to Home Premium and have the product key, could i do a clean install from a Retail or OEM DVD?



Advise Please



Darren

 

Hard drive failing - What can I do to transfer/ clone my drive?

You can clone your Windows from drive to drive with no problems .

You do need enough space on your HDD drive to create a free space as large as your Windows C:\ drive

for the clone. The cloning tool will create the partition in the free space.

- Make sure the HDD gets a good defrag/optimise after doing the clone.

Note that you have been running Windows on an SSD for a long time that Windows will be
very slow loading from HDD.

I only really appreciated how much an SSD helps after cloning my Windows to a HDD for backup.

- Macrium Reflect is highly regarded.

AOEMI Partition assistant is another good free tool ( they use the term Migrate vs clone/image )

Free Partition Manager - AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard

- If you really want to be safe make two clones, if possible. Should lightning strike twice....

.

 

The recovery partition is probably not empty despite what Disk Management shows. You won't have the necessary permission to see what's in a Recovery partition hence the apparent '100% free'. If all is well, the WinRE recovery environment should be there. Open a Command Prompt (Admin) and type reagentc /info to find out if the Recovery partition is in use. If it is in use, it should say:

Windows RE location: \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition3\Recovery\WindowsRE

Restore points are kept in the hidden folder 'System Volume Information' on the root of the drive to which they refer.

 

I just had to reinstall Win10 on a client's computer and the 'hidden' partition on it contains the Win8 Factory Restore files, more than 17GB and labeled as OEM Recovery, used to put the computer back to its as-shipped condition.

 

At 450MB it's a bit small for that. It's the typical size for a Windows 10 recovery environment.

You can see what's in a Recovery Partition by using MiniTool Partition Wizard. Right-click on the partition and select 'Explore'.

 

At over 17GB it obviously includes all the bloatware that came installed on the computer.

 

I was referring to Jambe's recovery partition, which is shown as 450MB in the screenshot.