Windows 10: Issues with MSR Partition

Hi all,


I'm trying to update Windows 10 (build 1809) to the latest build 18890 in 20H1. I'm getting errors stating that it can't write to the system reserved partition, which I am aware was deleted some time ago. I haven't had any problems with Windows until this. Attached are some screenshots showing the problem.


Thanks for your help!

:)

 

Expanding EFI partition and moving MSR partition.

I would like to install Mac Os on this device. However I am limited by the size of the EFI partition. Mac Os requires at least 200mb. I have only 100mb. So I resized the Windows partition to leave 100mb unallocated. However I can't extend the EFI partition
because there is a MSR partition in the way. https://puu.sh/rFbsz/e52c847706.png

I know both the EFI and MSR partition and very much required partitions for proper functioning and it is better to not mess with it. But I have to get the EFI to 200mb. So how to move the MSR partition. I am pretty familiar with DISKPART or other GUI based
partition managers.

https://puu.sh/rFbsz/e52c847706.png

 

W7 Hard drive partition issue

to get rid of that 100 meg windows partition that setup creates for you on a new install on a blank hdd:

- press shift+f10 when on the partition management screen in setup <-- this opens a command prompt
- diskpart <-- start the windows command line partition management tool
- list disk <--- list the installed hdds in this computer for the next step
- select disk 0 <- might have to replace 0 with the number of the correct disk
- clean <-- this will erase all data on the disk you selected one step up- dont use the wrong disk!
- create partition primary <- creates a primary partition taking up all space on the drive, adjust the command if necessary
- exit, exit to exit diskpart and the command prompt
- click refresh in partition manager and select your newly created partition and install to that

 

No MSR partition after converting from MBR to GPT a while back?

Yes, we will rebuild the whole thing.

Here's the steps:

1. Copy this code and save it in a file called: EFI.txt to an external HD.
   IMPORTANT: The code uses Disk 0 on first line, make sure you use the same disk #, if not, change it.
   select disk 0
   clean
   convert GPT
   create partition primary size=499
   format quick fs=ntfs
   set id=DE94BBA4-06D1-4D40-A16A-BFD50179D6AC override
   gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001
   create partition primary size=99
   format quick fs=FAT32
   set id=C12A7328-F81F-11D2-BA4B-00A0C93EC93B override
   create par MSR size=16
   list par
   exit
2. Download Macrium Rescue disk ISO.: MacRescue.iso - Google Drive
   build a bootable USB, use: Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way
3. Boot up the PC with the USB. NOTE: there are 2 boot up modes: USB-XXX and UEFI-USB-XXX
   Since your Windows is GPT, Must use: UEFI-USB-XXX
4. Make a complete backup image of your current Windows Disk 0 including D: partition to the external HD.
   (Click on image this disk)
   IMPORTANT: Make sure you verify the image
5. Next, Click on the command icon on the bottom left to open the command windows then type:
   diskpart /s Drive:\EFI.txt where Drive is the the drive letter of the external HD.
   This will create the 1st 3 partitions: 500MB Recovery, 100MB EFI System, 16MB MSR
6. Go back to Macrium Windows, click on Backup tab, click on Refresh
7. Next, click on Restore Tab and select the backup image created in step 4
   Select the destination disk (Disk 0)
8. Drag the Cdrive from top row and drop to the empty space next to 16MB MSR, then drag D: and drop next to C:
   Click next->Finish
9. Once restore completed. Click on "Fix Windows Boot problem". Follow the screen to rebuild the BCD.
10. Reboot

You should have: 499 MB Recovery, 99 EFI System, 16MB MSR and C drive + Drive (16MB MSR is hidden from Disk Management)
Here's a screen shot without Drive D since I only have Windows partitions on disk 0




At this point your Windows Recovery Environment is broken, we will fix that next.

If you have any question. Please ask !!!