Windows 10: What Partitions do I need to keep

C:\WINDOWS\system32> reagentc /infoWindows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and system reset configurationInformation: Windows RE status: Enabled Windows RE location: \\?\GLOBALROOT\device\harddisk0\partition2\Recovery\WindowsRE Boot Configuration Data (BCD) identifier: cb38db2b-b516-11e7-bb8a-b5037269ac39 Recovery image location: Recovery image index: 0 Custom image location: Custom image index: 0REAGENTC.EXE: Operation Successful.

How do I move the EFI partition ? sorry I am a thick OAP.!
Pete

 

Hi,
Without efi partition your computer will not boot *Smile

 

Your recovery partition is on disk 0 (and registered OK) so you can delete the one on disk 1. You can also delete partition 3 on disk 1 (your D volume) assuming you don't want it.

To move the EFI partition is a bit more involved.

You would need to create some space (100mb) for it on disk 0 by shrinking C. Normally you would have EFI before C but it doesn't really matter. Then create a EFI partition in this free space and format it FAT32. Then mount the EFI partition on disk 1 and copy the contents.

To be really correct you should make a 16MB MSR partition as well:




UEFI/GPT-based hard drive partitions | Microsoft Docs

I'd be inclined to leave the EFI on disk 1 and delete the other 2 partitions. You aren't going to unplug disk 1 (I don't think you can) and this would be easiest.

If you would like detailed instructions on moving it though just say.

 

Thank you very much for your help.
I assume that I can delete partitions 2,3,4 on disk 1 leaving partition 1 (EFI) then form a new partition on disk 1 to use all remaining space.
I will try this first thing tomorrow.
Pete

 

Hi,
To see if you already have a 16mb partition use free mini tool it will show it if it exists
Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Free

 

I'd be inclined to leave partition 2 as well - Just delete D and the recovery. Partition 2 is Microsoft Reserved (MSR) Partition and is only 128MB.

128MB is the old size (now it is 16MB) and it is also on the wrong disk - it should be before C. Note in your picture in post 3 you have assigned letter E to it - the MSR is not formatted and should not have a drive letter - it is just a bit of free space the purpose of which is unclear (to me anyway).

Windows seems to work fine without MSR but best to leave it as Microsoft say it should be there and it is only tiny.

It looks like you had Windows installed on that drive at some point.

 

Hi,
Windows will always create another recovery partition
Question is do you want to use system restore *Smile
Use disk clean up as administrator and check all boxes and also go to More options and click on delete restore points.
After it's done restart the machine to complete.

After that delete partition 2 if you want too.

 

The recovery partition does more than just system restore, but you can live without one - just make sure you have the latest bootable install usb handy (or make a recovery drive usb) as they include all the same tools. You never know when you might need the other repair functions normally provided by a recovery partition.

 

Hi,
Might have to double check but I believe he already uses macrium reflect :/

Oops nope might be something to start using *Smile
Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect Windows 10 Tutorials

Create Backup Image with Macrium Reflect by Britec - YouTube

 

Hi,

Just for info:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micros...rved_Partition

Personally I'd still like to have the EFI partition on drive #0 but that's just me.

Cheers, *Wink

 

Moving EFI from drive 1 to drive 0 is easy using minitool partition wizard free's partition copy function.

 

Hi,

My thoughts exactly. Always make a backup image before you start though.

Cheers, *Wink