Cloning my SSD created boot files in my external SSD

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Erenkkk
    Posts : 5
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Cloning my SSD created boot files in my external SSD


    Windows Version 20H2

    I recently purchased an external SSD from Samsung and used their migration tool to copy all my files into it. Then I learned that I can't boot Windows from an external drive so I formatted the external SSD and started using it. But, apparently formatting doesn't delete everything. Now when I check my partitions, there are EFI partitions, MSR partitions etc. and they (EFI and MSR partitions) are causing problems when I am trying to dual-boot. I checked from diskpart and shared screenshots. Are those unnecessary files since I can't boot from external drive? Should I/Can I delete them?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Cloning my SSD created boot files in my external SSD-screenshot-2021-06-06-042337.png   Cloning my SSD created boot files in my external SSD-screenshot-2021-06-06-042316.png  
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  3. spunk
    Posts : 4,798
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #2

    You didn't Delete the Hidden Partitions and just Formatted the main NTFS partition.
    First unplug the external drive and restart your computer. Does it boot into Windows without the External drive attached? If so, then Save any files you want off of the external drive to another drive and in DiskPart, run the Clean Command, This will Wipe your external, then you can either create one large partition in DiskPart, or press the Windows key +X and choose Disk Management. In the lower pane, Right click the externals Unallocated Space and choose to make a Simple Volume, Format and give it a drive letter assignment.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  4. Erenkkk
    Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    @spunk Thank you for your help, can I only clean the specific partitions and leave the partition with my data intact? Or do you recommend cleaning the entire disk?
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  6. Winuser
    Posts : 7,128
    Windows 10 Pro Insider
       New #4

    Erenkkk said:
    @spunk Thank you for your help, can I only clean the specific partitions and leave the partition with my data intact? Or do you recommend cleaning the entire disk?
    I use MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro. They have a free version that should do what you want. Best Free Partition Manager Software Tool for Windows (Sep 2019)
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  7. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,322
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       New #5

    With MiniTool Partition Wizard or Disk Manager (C:\Windows\System32\diskmgmt.msc) post an whole image here. Don't forget to expand the columns so we can read them. How to Post a Screenshot of Disk Management

    You have a second System partition (Partition 5) that shouldn't be there.
    I seems that the partitions are out of order. The correct order on a EFI-GPT drive is:
    - System (EFI) Fat 32
    - MS Reserved
    - C: partition
    - Recovery

    In witch partition you have your data?

    What you have on partition 6 and 7?

    To suggest you something I need that you reply the questions above and show your Disk Manager
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  8. Erenkkk
    Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Cloning my SSD created boot files in my external SSD-screenshot-2021-06-06-173825.png
    @Megahertz
    In the picture, 2nd and 3rd partitions are the ones I asked in the tread (EFI and MSR). 4th partition has my data. Second system partition (Partition 5 you asked) has Linux EFI partition for boot. 6th and 7th partitions also have partitions necessary for Linux. I have no idea what those 2 unallocated partitions are but Windows and Linux seem to create them during the install so I didn't touch them.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  9. spunk
    Posts : 4,798
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #7

    If you are not using Linux on this drive, I would do the Clean command in DiskPart and wipe the drive or Delete All Partitions in Minitool or Disk Management. Then create one large partition Format
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  10. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,322
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       New #8

    Never seen a drive with two EFI (system) partition. Only one is needed.
    Detach any other drive (USB or SATA) drive or you may end with the boot loader in one drive and the OS in another.
    I would backup all your personal data from C: (partition 4) to an external drive then boot from the Win 10 installation drive, go to install, and delete partitions 1 (recovery) 2 (EFI), 3 (MS reserved), 4 (Windows), 6 (EFI).
    Keep partition 7 (Linux) and 8 (swap).
    Choose to install Win 10 on the big Unallocated partition.
    You may need to rebuild the Linux boot manager on the new Fat32 EFI partition.
    how to rebuild Linux efi boot loader - Google Search
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

  12. Erenkkk
    Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    @Megahertz I don't have another drive that can contain my backup from the partition 4, thats why I asked if I could delete all the other partitions and keep the 4th. But if you are saying deleting partition 4 is recommended/necessary, I can look for a solution I guess.
      My Computer
    Quote Quote

  13. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,322
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       New #10

    Erenkkk said:
    @Megahertz I don't have another drive that can contain my backup from the partition 4, thats why I asked if I could delete all the other partitions and keep the 4th. But if you are saying deleting partition 4 is recommended/necessary, I can look for a solution I guess.
    Boot from Linux and copy all your personal data from C: (partition 4) to it.
    After Win 10 installation, restore your personal data to C:
      My Computers
    Quote Quote

 

  Related Discussions
Long story short, I've purchased a 5TB WD Mypassport USB C HDD to replace my 4tb wd my passport and I'm usding syncback to copy over about 2.8TB of backups and what not Twice now I've had it crash while running. I've come back to it and found it...
Hi! My friend got a very old computer and tomorrow i have to set up a new computer for her, and i will have to migrate the win 10 from the old IDE HD to the new SSD. I cannot connect the old HD to the new computer and vice versa (no connectors on...
hi please help,i cant see the files the folder called naksatra,the system created duplicate folder with 0 files in it whereas i cant see the files in the folder where the properties showed i have 473 mb files.
I just acquired a second laptop identical to the one I have. I will have exactly the same configuration on both and keep them in sync. I need to clone the SSD to the new SSD, but I don't have access to a desktop or eSATA port. Is there a way to use...
I have two external USB backup drives. Both work fine when backing up my system image. However, disk #2 installed and will boot the Macrium recovery program. But when I try to install the Macrium boot files on disk #1, it will not give me the option...
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 08:11.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums