So maybe you could pull some of the functionality from V2 to write a script to collect only Critical, Error, and Warning level entries from Administrative Events.
@zbook,
Here's a proof of concept PowerShell script that does just that -
Last edited by OldNavyGuy; 27 Nov 2020 at 23:34. Reason: Added proof of concept script
The mystery continues. At the time of my last post, I noticed that all of a sudden, tree size free reported a lot less space in use in the SRP. Maybe going in triggered something. At any rate, ran the 20H2 update iso again - and one hour later, the system has updated from 1909 to 20H2, no more error, disk management says I now have 44% space free in the SRP, drive letter has been removed.
I wonder, if after years of this nonsense with SRP filling up invisibly, MS actually changed something, and that I triggered it. Though I've no idea what I did to accomplish that. BUT - no removal of SRP, no resizing, no DISM, etc. The out of space error just went away.
So guys, thank you all for your input. I've no idea how I found a viral site that had the same name as the sight that owns that partition tool, but be careful. We don't have any clean answer, but we have some things that while they sound appropriate did not apply in this situation. And don't forget - all of us thinking about it, pushing ideas, discussing it, one way or another led to a solution! So THANKS!
One possibility why is mentioned in the Microsoft article above -
The System Reserved Partition (SRP) may be full. The System Reserve Partition (SRP) is a small partition on your hard drive that stores boot information for Windows. Some third-party anti-virus and security apps write to the SRP, and can fill it up.
MS hints a lot about it. Lots of things seem to use it as a temporary cache. Windows (7) Backup and Restore. That I knew from experience. Today I learned that when Windows tries to do a feature upgrade it uses it for something. Either that or Windows Update doing the Feature upgrade. Oddly, this saga began when my first WU attempt to go to 2004 earlier in the day failed with a message that suggested corrupted files. So I went instead for the 20H2 installer ISO, mounted it, ran it, - and it failed with the SRP problem. (all this reminding me of how bad these updates can be, how they only give slightly more useful messages than, say, 20 years ago, and how long a way MS has to convince us they give a hoot about what they put their captive audience through).
Most days, Windows works fairly well. But it can be almost as difficult to update as AmigaDos V1. With Workbench nearly 30 years ago - back then AD was very new and still far better than anything else out there, though.
MS needs to rethink. Run a preinstall test that is actually functional. Tests the devices out there, lets you temporarily take one off line if a problem (yes, that goes farther than any of the 'advisors' we've gotten from MS. Tests the SRP sizing, and if a problem, walks you through a troubleshooter to clean up what's going on, mostly automatically. Etc. Downloads and tests everything it needs. When all is tested and ready, then it tells you to walk away for a while and installs.
I found an alternate solution by accident.
I booted from the Macrium Reflect rescue media and told it to "Fix boot problems".
It took all the important parts of SRP, and moved them to the C:\ partition.
No more SRP filling up, problems.
I had all other physical drives disconnected, when I did this. And... iirc, I also only had one large partition on my SSD (Disk 0).
I set my drives as MBR intentionally, before I even installed Windows 10.
I think you would need all three things to make this happen.
1. MBR partition scheme on Disk 0.
2. One large partition using all of Disk 0, and no other drives connected.
3. Then use the Macrium rescue media and tell it to "Fix Boot Problems".
Here is when I originally figured this out...
I want to delete the system reserved partition
Nice that Macrium has a solution. But what happens to tools that look for SRP space? And if that 'log' problem were to happen in your system partition and squeeze it full? Maybe MS still has a reason for SRP or the like (depending on MBR, etc.).
Haven't had any issues since then (May 2020).
I've done WU, In-place upgrades, CAB file updates...etc. I've seriously abused my Windows installation.
For example, I removed all the Windows Apps, except Paint 3D and the image extensions.
I removed the new Edge Chromium and prevented it from returning.
I use WAU Manager for controlling Windows updates.
I've used Winaero Tweaker to further abuse Windows 10.
I can't think of anything I could try, that would need the SRP.
I also removed the SRP on Windows 7 as well, and had no problems there for 8 years.
When MS started with their SRP, I didn't like it. I didn't like partitions I couldn't access, and that MS could possibly use for nefarious reasons.
The only thing I tried on Windows 10 that didn't work... was attempting to remove the OLD Edge browser. That broke Windows Updates.
/edit
Also, if you EVER intend to use Microsoft Store... don't remove it. It's very hard to... "get back".
I also don't have a Microsoft account, nor do I use or even have One Drive.
Lastly, I found out how completely disable Windows Defender.
For Edge, every time it annoys me, I look to see what triggered it and take it away. I don't hate Edge, I just use Chrome.
For the most part I'm OK with having the native / comes with it Windows apps. But I also like old ones, like the very classic solitaire, and that gets reinstalled with every feature update. I also have a few favorite Win 7 Gadgets that work very well and are useful. I use Ultimate Windows Tweaker (and sometimes Aero). One oddity - UWT shows you the Win build, etc. on the desktop like we used to have before MS decided we didn't want or need it. But the numbers are almost never identical to what Windows says you have.
Did you use the upgrade advisor after SRP was off to do a feature upgrade? If you did would suggest that MS found a way for that not to be a problem. Maybe Backup could to. SRP is certainly a major PITA at times.
SRP is necessary if you want to use BitLocker.
When I installed Win 10 it was version 1909. I used my Win 7 Home (retail key) to do it. I now have Win 10 Home (retail).
When it came time for the 2004 Feature Update, it kept failing, so I just used the In-Place upgrade instead.
To get to 20H2, I used the CAB file method, to install it.
As I said... I use Winaero Tweaker, (pic below). And since I'm on Home, I don't have Bitlocker or GPE. But I haven't really found the need for either...so far.
And @OldNavyGuy is correct... if you WANT to use Bitlocker, you will need the SRP.
And if you want storage drives larger than 2TB you will need to set them as GPT partitions.
Here is my whole system...
/edit
I didn't WANT to switch to Windows 10, but had to, because ASUS didn't offer anything but Win 10 drivers for my motherboard. As long as I had to go to Win 10... I figured I'd make it as much like Win 7 as I could.
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