Disk Management and Healthy (Recovery Partition)s

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[kandb]

Disk 0 Basic contained two Healthy (Recovery Partition)s until today.  It now has one Healthy (Recovery Partition), 450 MB in size, to the right of OS (C:).  The other Healthy (Recovery Partition) was parked to the left of OS (C:) and is 491 MB in size.  I attempted to merge the 491 MB into C drive and discovered that can’t be done due to it’s location relative to OS (C:).  I changed the 491 MB space to a New Volume (D:) Healthy (Primary Partition) and attempted to either delete or merge into OS (C:).  That did not work.  The shiny new volume (D:) sure looks nice along with the other partitions and I have no operational errors or problems but I’d like to either delete the volume (D:) or merge it into OS (C:).  Two third party software downloads will not get the job done and it seems due the volume’s location.  Suggestions to accomplish either deletion or merge appreciated and thank you.

• This topic was modified 10 months ago by kandb.
• This topic was modified 10 months ago by kandb.

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kandb wrote:

Two third party software downloads will not get the job done and it seems due the volume’s location.

I’ve used TeraByte’s BootIt UEFI to accomplish what you’re wanting to do.

First, are you sure that the Recovery Environment actually works?  Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now will boot you into the Recovery Environment if it is indeed working.

If it’s not working, I suggest tackling that first.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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kandb

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bbearren,

That is a GREAT tag at the bottom of your post regarding fresh images and “reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems”.  Thank you for the software tip and advice.

Bill T

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An extra 400MB on 1800GB seems a bit pointless, but if you want to add it try deleting any partitions you have on it, then use Disk Management to extend C. If it won’t extend it is likely the space is not located in an area that fits with the allocation scheme used for C.

cheers, Paul

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kandb

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AOMEI Back upper and AOMEI partition assistant, does all these tricks well. I have done it more than once.
And it does a lot more as well. Wish that this company will do a good and safe registry cleaner and can remove remnants of removed apps or leftovers of a failed installer. Or write an app that will track all the registry entries and bits that was done by an installer or an .MSI installer.

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kandb

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PS:  AOMEI can also create a bootable recovery environment as well as above.

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kandb

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“a bit pointless”

Paul, thanks for replying.  You are absolutely correct!  Sending 400 MB into an 1800 GB drive can/will be interpreted as a less than productive way to use one’s time.  As you did…  But I’ve got the time and I was curious about attempting the task plus I like housekeeping.

Bill T

 

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Len. wrote:

AOMEI Backupper and AOMEI partition assistant

AOMEI partition assistant is one of the third party packages I tried using and I did not have success.  Could be I goofed up the procedure.  AOMEI Backupper I don’t know of.  I do have a fresh Recovery USB.  Thank you.

Bill T

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BootIt UEFI is not free, but TeraByte offers a fully functional 30 day free trial download.  I’ve been using TeraByte’s tools for two decades, and I’ve never been disappointed.

You can download the free trial version and accomplish what you want to do for free.  It includes drive imaging.  It also has a BCD Store editor to sort out any boot issues that could possibly result from deleting that first partition.

Again, I advise making sure the Recovery Environment actually works before proceeding.

What needs to be done is to delete the first partition, slide the second partition (your OS) forward, then resize that partition to include the blank space.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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kandb

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@kandb, I used the free MiniTool Partition Wizard to do exactly what you’re trying to do.

It’s uses a simple “drag-and-drop” interface that makes it easy to move partitions to a new location on a drive.

In my case I also had an ‘active but unused” partition in front of my main OS partition that I wanted to merge into it and, like you, discovered you can’t do that unless it’s location immediately after the partition you want to merge it with.

So I use their How to Move/Resize Partition | MiniTool Partition Wizard Tutorial to move it after the OS partition, deleted it so it was “unused space“, and then merged it into the OS partition.

Worked like a charm!

FYI, be sure to make a full image backup before doing it just in case something goes wrong.

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kandb

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I don’t see an EFI or MBR System partition in that screenshot, so I wonder if we’re missing some relevant info. Perhaps that has something to do with why the partition couldn’t be deleted?

 

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kandb

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dg1261,

Here’s the full partition layout.  Thanks again for your response.

Bill T

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The Recovery Partition in the screenshot is only 480MB. That is not big enough. You probably should enlarge it to around 1GB (1000MB). Instead of merging the extra space into the C: drive, perhaps use it to enlarge the Recovery Environment?

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kandb

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PKCano wrote:

Instead of merging the extra space into the C: drive, perhaps use it to enlarge the Recovery Environment?

I agree, better use of the storage space.  941GB is plenty of room for the Recovery Environment.  My laptop has 798GB.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

1 user thanked author for this post.

kandb

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nOads,

I used 2 third party software downloads one being the MiniTool Partition Wizard.  Apparently there’s an operator error at my end.  I shall go back to class and try again!

I do have a fresh System Image Backup and MacriumReflect8/AcronisTrueImage backups living on my external hard drive.  Tested my boot into recovery media this AM just to be sure.  Thank you!

Bill T

 

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kandb wrote:

Tested my boot into recovery media this AM just to be sure. Thank you!

Have you checked your Recovery Environment?  A simple check is to open an elevated Command Prompt, type

reagentc /info

and see what you get.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

1 user thanked author for this post.

kandb

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bbearren,

bbearren wrote:

type reagentc /info and see what you get.

Looks good to me.

PKCano’s suggestion and your’s to merge into the Recovery Partition is a good one which I will do if I can get the merge accomplished.  I’m working with MiniTool Partition Wizard and I’m missing some point as I can’t get the space moved.  Like in the movie Good Fellas – this is breakin’ my balls.

Bill T

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kandb wrote:

Looks good to me.

Indeed it is, and right where it’s supposed to be.

kandb wrote:

I’m working with MiniTool Partition Wizard and I’m missing some point as I can’t get the space moved.

I have no experience with partitioning tools other than TeraByte’s BootIt and DISKPART.  Hopefully a MiniTool master will chime in.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

1 user thanked author for this post.

kandb

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Hello to all you AskWoody groupies that assisted me with my Disk Management and Healthy (Recovery Partitions)s situation.  Housekeeping is complete and the tools put away.  I re-downloaded the software MiniTool Partition Wizard 12 free; paid more attention and that’s it.  The software is dog-gone slick and worked well.  Thanks all.

Bill T

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