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JonstSlay's avatar
JonstSlay
Copper Contributor
Nov 22, 2024
Solved

Questions about unknown partitions in Windows 11

When I check the partitions from Device Manager, there are a couple of unknown partitions. Clearly, I did not create them for sure. Can I delete those partitions, such as EFI system partition, reserved partition and recovery partition.

  • If you're looking to create more space, consider using the built-in Disk Cleanup tool rather than deleting partitions. This can help free up space without risking system functionality.

  • DeanTech1980's avatar
    DeanTech1980
    Copper Contributor

    100MB FAT32 - EFI System Partition (ESP), used by computers with the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

    16MB NTFS - Microsoft-reserved partition (MSR).

    692MB NTFS - Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

    I wouldn't delete any of these.

  • Yarisyoyo's avatar
    Yarisyoyo
    Iron Contributor

    There are system related partitions and the computer could crash if you deleted them. Leave them along and only deal with the user partitions.

  • Yongqi_Liang's avatar
    Yongqi_Liang
    Copper Contributor

    Not recommended, this may be a system recovery environment provided by the OEM

  • Asainna's avatar
    Asainna
    Iron Contributor

    If you're looking to create more space, consider using the built-in Disk Cleanup tool rather than deleting partitions. This can help free up space without risking system functionality.

  • Yamskmskdd's avatar
    Yamskmskdd
    Brass Contributor

    Designed to store recovery tools and the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This can be used to troubleshoot and recover your system if it fails to boot.
    but it is generally not advisable. If you delete it, you will lose the ability to utilize the recovery options provided by Windows for troubleshooting. If you have created recovery media (a USB drive or DVD with recovery tools), and you are sure you won’t need the recovery options, you could delete it.

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