Windows 10: My hard disk has 12 partitions after windows update, what can I do?

Hello!!

I have a Dell Inspiron 17R 5737. The computer originally came loaded with Windows 8 and later 8.1. I upgraded to Windows 10 and after that to the Anniversary Edition. Recently upgraded to the Windows 10 Creators Update and my hard disk right now has 12 partitions!! *Eek yes, 12 partitions!! .... I need you guys help me to figure it out what to do to get rid of this mess. I´m afraid to delete something that could cause more problems than solutions. My partitions structure is UEFI/GPT. There is only two partitions that I created (as you can see in the screenshots):

1. Partition C: OS and software.
2. Partition D, named Warehouse: data, videos, music, photos ..... (in case of a clean install, I would like to keep this partition, if possible!! *Smile)

The other 10 partitions have been created as a results of the many upgrades, and since the computer is working fine I haven´t paid much attention till now. Of course, the computer boots slowly and the same happen when restarted or shutdown. After the OS boot ,everything works fine but still I would like to get rid of so many partitions. I´m considering a clean install but I´m not sure which partitions can I safely delete. Here are the screenshots:







What can I do guys?? I want to go with a clean install, which partitions can I delete?? which partitions should I keep? can I keep my D partition with a clean install??

Any help would be much appreciated, Thanks so much in advance!!!

:)

 

My hard disk has 12 partitions after windows update, what can I do?

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My hard disk has 12 partitions after windows update, what can I do?

Hello!!

I have a Dell Inspiron 17R 5737. The computer originally came loaded with Windows 8 and later 8.1. I upgraded to Windows 10 and after that to the Anniversary Edition. Recently upgraded to the Windows 10 Creators Update and my hard disk right now has 12 partitions!!
yes, 12 partitions!! .... I need you guys help me to figure it out what to do to get rid of this mess. I´m afraid to delete something that could cause more problems than solutions. My partitions structure is UEFI/GPT. There is only two partitions that I created
(as you can see in the screenshots):

1. Partition C: OS and software.

2. Partition D, named Warehouse: data, videos, music, photos ..... (in case of a clean install, I would like to keep this partition, if possible!! )

The other 10 partitions have been created as a results of the many upgrades, and since the computer is working fine I haven´t paid much attention till now. Of course, the computer boots slowly and the same happen when restarted or shutdown. After the OS boot
,everything works fine but still I would like to get rid of so many partitions. I´m considering a clean install but I´m not sure which partitions can I safely delete. I posted two screenshots to help clarify my situation.

What can I do guys?? I want to go with a clean install, which partitions can I delete?? which partitions should I keep? can I keep my D partition with a clean install??

Any help would be much appreciated, Thanks so much in advance!!!

 

If you are going to do a clean install, Windows will create all the necessary partitions for a UEFI system and GPT disk.
So you can delete everything (IF you are doing a clean installation anyway).
You MUST back up your user data - all of The Warehouse directory, and any other personal files you may have on C:. You will reinstall/copy this data after your clean install is complete and configured.

You will also need to have downloaded all the drivers for your system, and be ready to re-install all of your programs.

This is what your disk setup should look like after a clean install:





If you want to try and clean up the current disk and keep the existing installation then we need to talk about something else.

 

When you do the clean install, delete all the partitions as part of the clean install process, then you will end up with just 3 partitions as shown below:





Use this tutorial and delete all partitions as part of step 12 (see 100% unallocated).

Clean Install Windows 10

However, it looks like you could save your D partition (if it has no association with the OS) but I would back it up and just recreate it after the new clean install by shrinking the new C and then creating a new D partition.

Maybe someone else has a better idea but that is the way I would go.

Good luck,

 

And remember, a clean install will eliminate any OEM functionality that you may have had before.

 

Thanks a lot TV2 and WOT for your ideas, much appreciated .... I really like to keep my D partition, has more than 100GB of my music!! .... Any other ideas?

 

Well, first, is your intent to do the clean install anyway?

 

Yes, I would like to clean install the creators update

 

Then you just need to prepare as mentioned above.
The clean install guide that WOT linked is a good, thorough one.
Just be sure to backup all your stuff first.

Do you have any idea what the 2 OEM partitions are for? (These were most likely installed by the manufacturer).

 

Remember that the MSR is the 4th partition. It does not show up in Explorer or Disk Management.
It does show up in Diskpart and any 3rd party tools. It is Partition #3 in the diskpart pic above (128MB)

 

Yes both are installed by Dell. Partition No. 2 is for Diagnostics, and partition No. 4 is WINRETOOLS, looks like a manufacturer recovery partition with winRe.wim on it, but is dated 2013/2014 so it should be windows 8 related.

 

TV2, what do you suggest for the MSR partition?? you are trying to say that I shouldn't delete that partition??

 

See if you can download the Dell Diagnostics for re-installation if you think you need it. Otherwise just delete that too and live without it.

You are correct about the Dell recovery partition. Unless you want to go back to Windows 8, delete it.

 

I'm not suggesting anything there. Just a point of information.

You can delete everything if you are doing a clean install. Nothing but unallocated space.
I believe the installation process will do this anyway, but not sure. I always wipe the disk before a clean install.