• Mystery Partitions

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    #2542687

    I have an older Dell desktop PC XPS8500 that has, what appears to me, several unused partitions.  I would like to “recover” this space if I can.  What I found was a partition called “EFI System Partition” with 100% space free, a “Recovery Partition” with 100% space free, and a second “Recovery Partition” with 100% space free.

    Since all three of these partitions show to be empty, 100% space free, it would seem it would be safe to remove these partitions to regain that space for another use.  Would like to make space for a second operating system, like a Linux distro if safe to do so.

    So, can I safely remove these three partitions?  With the unallocated space now on the drive, and the three 100% empty partitions, I stand to gain approximately 356GB, enough for a lite Linux distro or two.

    Professional advice would be sincerely appreciated.  Thank you.

    Dell XPS8500, Win8.1, 3rd generation i7, 16GB memory, Nvidia GT640/1GB, 2TB SSD.

    • This topic was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by PKCano.
    • This topic was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Steve.
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    • #2542691

      Are you planning to keep the Win8.1 and multi-boot with the Linux distros, or remove it and install the Linux?

      Control Panel\Administrative Tools\Computer Management\Disk Management
      Use Snip n Sketch to make a screenshot (.png) including the upper section and disk layout graphic, and attach it to a post.

      • #2542694

        Thanks for the speedy reply.  Yes, although this PC has now been relegated to a back-up system, I need to keep my Win8.1 operational.

        I just don’t know if Windows needs to see any of those partitions, especially the “EFI System Partition”, to boot successfully.  Even though they are 100% free, that doesn’t mean that something might be needed for scratch memory, or something like that.  If I don’t need them, I really want to get rid of them.  I just don’t feel I have the knowledge to safely remove them without consequences.

        Disk-0

    • #2542711

      Steve,

      Under NO Circumstances remove the EFI partition! This is a necessary part of the start up process for GPT disks and Secure Boot.

      Recovery partitions can be moved if you are careful about it. However, since they are only using about a single GB I would just let them be and avoid any unnecessary problems. The space you would gain in not worth the possible problems IMHO.

      May the Forces of good computing be with you!

      RG

      PowerShell & VBA Rule!
      Computer Specs

      1 user thanked author for this post.
      • #2542716

        Okay, great advice, this is what I was concerned about.  Hands off the EFI partition.  Got it.

        You are implying that the two Recovery partitions serve no purpose and, even though empty, should not be removed.  But if I am reading this correctly, I should be able to move them to recover some contiguous space.  Did I get this right?  But what about shrinking them, since they contain not data anyway?

        Thanks for the response.

        • #2542786

          The partitions are not empty. Disk management is unable to define the used space of a GPT protective partition.

    • #2542729

      Hi Steve, I looked at the screenshot provided and I’m not sure where you’re getting the 356 GB figure from. Other than the ~186 GB empty partition which looks like a very enticing place to install a Linux distro, all the other small partitions look to add up to just about 1.5 gigs, not enough space to bother recovering considering the potential for something to go wrong.

      Just remember to have a full disk image backed up the way it is now if you wish to retain your Win 8.1 installation in case things go weirdly awry while installing a second OS, which can definitely happen.

      Good luck.

    • #2542779

      If I were you I would double check whether those recovery partitions are really empty, using a different method (maybe using file explorer with hide system files and folders turned off). My Dell computers show the same partitions in disk management and with 100% free space as well; but they are definitely not empty. They contain recovery media and files that are only accessed when you boot into recovery mode.

    • #2542850

      The partitions you mention add up to just 1.5GB… hardly worth worrying about when you have 186.3GB of unallocated space sat there just waiting to be put to good use. 🙂

      Hope this helps…

    • #2542870

      Okay, the jury is in, and the verdict is: leave the partitions well enough alone.

      The 186GB will be enough to do what I want.  So thanks to those who took the time to explain all this to me, I appreciate the time and effort contributed. I learned a lot.

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