Macrium finds extra partition


  1. Posts : 728
    Windows 10 Home - Version 22H2- Build 19045.3758
       #1

    Macrium finds extra partition


    I did a backup and I noticed that Macrium shows 5 partitions while disk management shows 4 partitions, at least graphically. What is that 3rd 128 mb partition about shown in Marcrium. Is it okay to leave it there/leave it be?

    Macrium finds extra partition-untitled2.png


    Macrium finds extra partition-untitled.png
      My Computers


  2. WOT
    Posts : 471
    Win 10 Pro 15063.332 (ex-Insider)
       #2

    That is a hidden partition reserved by Microsoft for future use.

    I (personally) would not delete it. Just create a full system image and you should be good to go.

    Hope this helps,

    WOT
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 728
    Windows 10 Home - Version 22H2- Build 19045.3758
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Great - thanks WOT.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #4

    Hi,

    That is a hidden partition reserved by Microsoft for future use.
    For future use ? It's the GPT file system partition, that's all.

    Cheers,
      My Computers


  5. WOT
    Posts : 471
    Win 10 Pro 15063.332 (ex-Insider)
       #5

    fdegrove said:
    Hi,



    For future use ? It's the GPT file system partition, that's all.

    Cheers,

    Oh really? I thought it was the MSR partition?
    https://wiki2.org/en/Microsoft_Reserved_Partition

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micros...rved_Partition
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  6. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #6

    Hi,

    Well yes, but it's the "for future use" that triggered my reply. It only varies in size depending on the size of the drive (16Mb to 128Mb).

    If you convert a blank (as in in factory fresh or cleaned using diskpart) drive to GPT it will be the first partition on that drive.
    You won't find it on Bios/Non-Efi systems as these do not support GPT.
    The position of most partitions isn't all that critical on EFI systems although some positions may be inconvenient for practical reasons.
    I've never experienced that GPT partition change in size, never.


    Cheers,
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #7

    fdegrove said:
    Hi,

    Well yes, but it's the "for future use" that triggered my reply. It only varies in size depending on the size of the drive (16Mb to 128Mb).

    If you convert a blank (as in in factory fresh or cleaned using diskpart) drive to GPT it will be the first partition on that drive.
    You won't find it on Bios/Non-Efi systems as these do not support GPT.
    The position of most partitions isn't all that critical on EFI systems although some positions may be inconvenient for practical reasons.
    I've never experienced that GPT partition change in size, never.


    Cheers,
    WOT is mostly correct. The MSR partition is a bit of an enigma as nobody seems to be clear on its exact purpose, although some say it is/will be used by bitlocker for example.

    I have many installs where it is not present with no impact at all. It is a real PITA actually as it is the only partition that cannot be moved once created even with tools like minitool partition wizard.

    Leaving it there is no big deal, but on my 32 GB tablet, I delete it and all recovery partitions to gain a bit of extra space, only leaving the 100 MB EFI fat32 partition and the Windows partition.

    The MSR partition was always 128 MB until W19 where by default it is now 16GB. It is always installed second after the Recovery partition on clean installs.



    Wikipedia:

    A Microsoft Reserved Partition, or MSR, is a partition of a data storage device, which is created simply to reserve a chunk of disk space for possible subsequent use by the operating system software of a Windows operating system. No data is stored within the MSR; Windows may take from the MSR partition for the creation of new partitions, which themselves may contain data structures.
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  8. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #8

    cereberus said:
    WOT is mostly correct. The MSR partition is a bit of an enigma as nobody seems to be clear on its exact purpose, although some say it is/will be used by bitlocker for example.

    I have many installs where it is not present with no impact at all. It is a real PITA actually as it is the only partition that cannot be moved once created even with tools like minitool partition wizard.
    Me too. If I do any customizing of the front part of the drive, the MSR partition gets deleted. Never has presented an issue on any computer that doesn't have it in my house.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #9

    NavyLCDR said:
    Me too. If I do any customizing of the front part of the drive, the MSR partition gets deleted. Never has presented an issue on any computer that doesn't have it in my house.
    It is often not realised you only need two partitions - efi and the windows partition. Rest are optional.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #10

    Hi,

    Yep. I found that out when I created a Windows To Go stick where only the basic two partitions are created.

    Cheers,
      My Computers


 

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