Windows 10: Partition structure issues.

I have some questions about the meaning of the screenshot information below.
First: What is the significance of " *: " ? I'm guessing it means a partition without a drive letter.
Second: What is the difference between an unallocated partition and a partition with data. How do I add data or extend the other partitions to incorporate it.?
Finally: what is the meaning/use of that small partition between C: and the Unallocated chunk?
I don't want to blunder too far into this boot drive without understanding where I'm headed.
Thanks!




:)

 

Windows 10 Partitions Structure

This answer provided no answers to the question. You are just passing the buck. If you don't know the details of the partition structure, at least provide links to a knowledgeable article.

 

Windows 10 Partitions Structure

I've seen that there are many questions about Partitions Structure in Windows 10. As I've also the same questions, I've decided to post my own queries on that matter. Since these questions are difficult to answer (because they are quite complex), it would
be better that they were answered by a Microsoft Tech.

I gather that the Windows 10 Partitions Structure (default) is the following:

Under BIOS/MBR mode: SYSTEM / WINDOWS / RECOVERY

Under UEFI/GPT mode: SYSTEM / MSR / WINDOWS / RECOVERY

Instead, the Windows 8/8.1 Partitions Structure (default) was:

Under BIOS/MBR mode: SYSTEM / WINDOWS

Under UEFI/GPT mode: WINDOWS RE TOOLS / SYSTEM / MSR / WINDOWS

1. First question: Is this correct?

2. Second: In my case, after upgrading to Windows 10 (from Windows 8.1), it appeared three partitions (BIOS): SYSTEM / WINDOWS / RECOVERY. Earlier, on my HD (with Windows 8.1, BOIS mode) there were only the two partitions indicated above: SYSTEM / WINDOWS.
Is this correct? Why these changes from two (Windows 8/8.1) to three partitions (Windows 10)?

3. Third: I did the upgrade, and next a clean installation of Windows 10. That is, there were no possibility of revert to Windows 8.1. In this case, three partitions appeared. If I had done a clean installation of Windows 10 not upgrading (that is, from
Windows 8.1) but from a Windows 10 DVD or CD with a new license (that is, from an installation completely new newly purchased), it would have appeared also three partitions?

4. Fourth: After doing the clean installation, one file appeared on C:\ It's a file called "Recovery.txt" (0 bytes). Can this file be deleted safely?

Thanks.