What is the default partition layout... a bit confused...

Hi there,

I have just performed a clean install of Windows 10 from a bootable DVD, made from Media Creation Tool. Laptop with initial HP recovery stuff and OEM programs removed! During the installation I formatted only the primary partition C and now the laptop is running excellent.

I know, guys, there is plenty of information in this forum, as well as in the Web but it seems it is still not clear for me:

What should the default partition layout be? Is this Recovery partition the same so called Windows RE? I am only concerned about the location of the Recovery partition. I read somewhere that this partition must be after C, mine is the very first. So what is right?

Thanks you in advance...



p.s. Sorry if similar threat has already been posted and also if my English is not as expected.

There are 2 recommended partition layouts. There is what Microsoft recommend OEM do and what they do themselves.

Microsoft recommend to OEM manufacturers that when you install Windows the Recovery partition is after C. The reason for this is so that if it is required to increase the size it isn't necessary to make another partition.

Important: As of Windows 10, version 1607, the Recovery partition must be the next partition after the Windows partition. This ensures that winre.wim can be kept up-to-date during life of the device.

OEM deployment of Windows 10 for desktop editions | Microsoft Docs

However the Windows installer team obviously didn't get the memo and does not follow this (sensible) advice. Windows still creates partition in the old fashioned way putting the recovery partition first when you do a clean install.

From a practical point of view it actually doesn't matter at all - you can put your partitions in any order you like. You can put your ESP first, last, or on a flash drive and drop the MSR and recovery partitions completely if you want. If you are concerned about your partition layout don't be - it is fine and what you should expect from a clean install.

If however you have a recovery partition that is (in future) too small to allow a bigger winre.wim then during an upgrade the Windows installer will create another bigger recovery partition after C as it can't extend the size of a partition before C. There are many threads on this forum with people having multiple recovery partitions because of this.

In short if you do a clean install you'll get what you show above. If you want to install Windows so it conforms to the recommendations Microsoft make for their partners you'll have to create the partitions yourself as described in the link above, or, alternatively, you can rearrange the order after using third party software and then re-register winre.wim in whatever partition it is now in.

lx07 said:

There are 2 recommended partition layouts. There is what Microsoft recommend OEM do and what they do themselves.

Microsoft recommend to OEM manufacturers that when you install Windows the Recovery partition is after C. The reason for this is so that if it is required to increase the size it isn't necessary to make another partition.OEM deployment of Windows 10 for desktop editions | Microsoft Docs

However the Windows installer team obviously didn't get the memo and does not follow this (sensible) advice. Windows still creates partition in the old fashioned way putting the WinRe partition first when you do a clean install.

From a practical point of view it actually doesn't matter at all - you can put your partitions in any order you like. You can put your ESP first, last, or on a flash drive and drop the MSR and recovery partitions completely if you want.

If however you have a recovery partition that is (in future) too small to allow a bigger WinRE.wim then during an upgrade the Windows installer will create another bigger recovery partition after C: as it can't extend the size of a partition before C: There are many threads on this forum with people having multiple recovery partitions because of this.

Thank you lx07, brilliant answer.

You are welcome. It is odd whoever writes the Windows installer doesn't follow the (clearly sensible) Microsoft advice.

MS is a big company and it is not a huge issue either way I guess :)