Cannot expand HDD because of 450 MB Recovery space allocation


  1. Posts : 223
    Win 10 Pro 64bit v 21H1 build 19043.1166
       #1

    Cannot expand HDD because of 450 MB Recovery space allocation


    I want to 'clone' my C: drive to a bigger HDD. However, my C: drive has 450 MB of 'recovery space' that MS Technet says:

    'MS has set aside a portion of your HDD for that unique Internet install they developed. That secret partition is not to be messed with, as that has all the recovery information and re-install information if you decide to do a clean re-install or just have some files replaced that may have gotten corrupted for one reason or another.'

    Because of this space, I cannot expand C: to use the entire space on the bigger HDD.

    I upgraded Win 7 Pro to Win 10 Pro and then to Win 10 Anniversary Pro. I'm perfectly happy with the way the OS is operating and have no wish to revert back. How can I remove (or move to another HDD) this 'useless' captured space so I can move to a bigger HDD?

    Thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, you do need to keep that (not useless) partition. By using a partition manager you can shuffle partitions to achieve what you want.
    E.g. Minitool partition wizard. Free bootable medium.
    Bootable Partition Manager| MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition

    (Move, shrink, expand....)
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 223
    Win 10 Pro 64bit v 21H1 build 19043.1166
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Well, I'll give it a try. I am using Macrim Reflect to clone the C: drive and I thought that putting the 1G C: data on a 2G drive would allow expansion but that 450MB Recovery area prevents the expansion. Then, Windows treats the extra area as a new partition, not allowing expanding.

    Hope this works.

    Thanks.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,752
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       #4

    Please include a Screenshot of Disk Management windows lower pane showing your Disk with the various partitions.
    A recovery partition is used if your computer wont' boot and you want to restore the computer back to Factory Defaults by pressing a certain key at bootup, depending on the make of computer.
    If you are cloning your smaller HDD to a bigger one, you do not have to expand the C: drive, You should be able to Clone the whole HDD including the Recovery Partition and the Hidden System Reserved Partition. The Clone opperation will determine that the new drive is larger and make adjustments and automatically expand the C: drive. If you want the cloned HDD to boot, you need to include the System Reserved Partition as this holds the boot information.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 223
    Win 10 Pro 64bit v 21H1 build 19043.1166
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Actually, my C: drive crashed tonight. Thought it was a perfect opportunity to restore Sunday's macrim backup onto the bigger HDD. That worked, of course, and showed the 1/2 of the new drive as unallocated space. Just expanded the volume and it filled the drive.

    Thanks for your help!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    Good- great you used disk imaging. Do nonetheless post a screenshot of your drive as suggested using e.g. Minitool partition wizard (Disk Management doesn't show the small partitions e.g. System reserved at 16Mb), and confirm if you're using legacy BIOS or UEFI.
      My Computers


 

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