Windows 10 Partition Confusion


  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Windows 10 Partition Confusion


    Hi all.

    Recently I installed a new SSD, onto which I cloned my Windows 10 OS and files as it was on the original HDD that came with my laptop. As far as I can observe, the cloning process worked properly, as I write this from the Windows booted off the new SSD.

    However when I looked at the disk management, I am confused by what I see. Disk 0 is the new SSD. Disk 1 is my old HDD. Originally before installing and cloning the new SSD, my laptop HDD was partitioned this way:

    Windows (C:) - 450GB
    RECOVERY (D:) - 28.9GB
    Sean (F:) - 399GB
    Other (X:) - 50.2GB

    Now when I look at Disk Management, this is what I see:

    Windows 10 Partition Confusion-screenshot-1688-.png

    On Disk 0 (which was identical to what Disk 1 shows above), I chose to "Delete Volume" for both Sean (H:) and Other (I:), which accounts for the 450.22GB unallocated on Disk 0, as I want to extend the C Drive on Disk 0. However as you can see, it shows 958 MB NTFS partition. I cannot assign this a Drive letter, and so I don't know what this partition is.

    How can I determine is this is safe to delete? Without deleting this, I cannot extend the C Drive. Any advice or input is appreciated! Thank you.

    UPDATE: Using a command prompt I was able to assign it a Drive letter. When I view the properties of that partition, it shows that 601MB of 957MB is used - but browsing the folder in Windows Explorer shows an empty folder. The "Show hidden files, folder, and drives" folder view option is selected.

    Windows 10 Partition Confusion-screenshot-1-.png
    Windows 10 Partition Confusion-screenshot-4-.pngWindows 10 Partition Confusion-screenshot-4-.png
    Last edited by Boundless84; 06 Feb 2020 at 08:40.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,990
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, I prefer to use a 3rd party partition manager such as Minitool Partition Wizard or Aomei Partition Assstant- there are others.

    These are far more user friendly, and will allow you to do more. Further, as yours is UEFI, they will show a 16Mb partition Disk Management will not by design.

    If that partition is 'in the way' you will have more difficulty extending C:.

    How can I determine is this is safe to delete?
    Further, using one of the above, rt clicking the partition in its GUI allows you to explore the contents of that partition.
    I'm going to guess the partition in question is a Recovery partition. You have one at the start (650Mb), and it looks as though the 950Mb partition may be a later larger one. But from the screenshot alone, it looks as though the one at the start may be the one in use, but I would have expected the larger one to be.

    Using the partition manager you can compare the date, and see which is more recent.

    Appropriate commands will tell you which one is in use.
    At an admin command prompt type
    reagentc /info
    and post the result.


    Do not keep 2 Windows installations in your PC as you have at present. at some point this is very likely to trip up updating windows.

    Consider whether you wish to retain what is presumably the manufacturer's recovery partition used for factory reset. (28.95Gb Recovery)
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thank you! I tried the AOMEI software and it worked perfectly.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42,990
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

      My Computers


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 15:53.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums