Windows 10 Installation - Recovery Partition

Hello, I need some help.

A client needs 50 PCs with Windows 10. Unfortunately I have to install the OS on each one, one by one.. anyway..

Client specifically wants a seperate Recovery Partition.

Nowadays, as far as I know the Windows Recovery environment is installed on the Windows Partition right? Is it possible to create it seperately during installation? What is the fastest way to achieve this.

Right now, the Windows Installation program creates 3 different partitions automatically, a 100MB System one, a 16MB MSR and the rest as the main one.

I appreciate any kind of help, thank you.

EDIT: I use a USB stick for the installation.

There is no infrastructure for that.

A typical UEFI installation consists of 4 partitions. One of those is a Recovery partition.

Any reason I get those specific partitions then?

Capritcio said:

There is no infrastructure for that.



Any reason I get those specific partitions then?

Are you installing to an existing partition, or to unallocated space?

unallocated space
I really don't understand based on what factors the installation chooses which partitions to create..

Anyway, I created a custom script for partitioning so consider the problem solved.

Thanks everyone.

Windows can be installed as Legacy - MBR or UEFI - GPT. Witch one you intent to install?
Legacy - MBR has different partitions than UEFI - GPT.

System partition is a Legacy - MBR partition. On a UEFI - GPT you don't have a System partition but you have a EFI (Fat32) partition.
The Windows Recovery environment by default is on a dedicated partition but it can be moved to the C: partition.

If the hardware is basically the same you don't need to install one by one.
You can install in one, enter sysprep to install drivers and some programs and then quint. It will be a template drive.
Then you clone this template drive into the others drives.
When you start the computers it will begin OOBE to proceed to create the user profile.


This is a typical UEFI - GPT drive, only D: isn't typical

I am preparing to wipe and clean re-install latest Win 10 on my Dell laptop which apparently cannot use Win 11. UEFI/GPT. Used Rufus to create boot-able USB install media. Everything has been backed up multiple ways. 2 full images, user folder, screenshots of all installed programs. Profile ID's recorded for browsers/mail client. Do I need to create/expand partitions or just let the install do it. Will it put the RE right after the Win drive so it will auto resize for future image updates? Only have 250gb ssd, currently using approx. 50%. Dell puts a factory/oem image to restore to on their machines. Should I do so? The laptop is well beyond Dell's service support and I will buy a new one in the near future. Just want to get this one back in shape for another backup machine. I have been unable unable to update any system drivers thru Dell update for multiple years in spite of reinstalling all of their software. Lost my audio as well. Should I create an extra partition for future use/needs or can this be done later. I read/downloaded the MS document listed above with scripts. Can I simply just run the install setup, select keep nothing, and let it run? Thanks!

gcwizard said:

- Do I need to create/expand partitions or just let the install do it. Will it put the RE right after the Win drive so it will auto resize for future image updates?
If you don't have any custom partition you should delete all partitions on the drive and then proceed. The necessary partitions (recovery included) will be created.

- Dell puts a factory/oem image to restore to on their machines. Should I do so?
I suppose the SSD isn't the original drive. The Factory Recover partition is useless for many reasons, specially because the Win 10 image on the Factory Recover partition is completely out dated.

- Should I create an extra partition for future use/needs or can this be done later?
It can be dome later.

Can I simply just run the install setup, select keep nothing, and let it run?
To do a Clean Install Windows 10 all you have to do is to delete all partitions on the drive.

Good to know you have all backed up.

Windows can be installed in two ways: Legacy-MBR or UEFI-GPT
To install as Legacy-MBR you must boot the installation drive as Legacy
To install as UEFI-GPT you must boot the installation drive as UEFI.


During POST, press F12(?) to launch the boot menu. You will see two options for the USB drive. USB UEFI (Name) and USB (Name). Select USB UEFI (Name).
Go to install and delete ALL partitions on the SSD till you have one and only one unallocated space and then proceed.
If you don't want to use MS account, don't enable updates or connect to the internet during installation.