Easy Steps for Getting Rid of the Extra Windows Partition Reserved for Recovery

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What to Know

• In PowerShell or Command Prompt:diskpart >list disk >select disk # >list partition >select partition # >delete partition override .
• To format partition: right-clickStart >Disk Management > right-clickUnallocated >New Simple Volume > follow wizard.

This article explains how to delete a recovery partition in Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7. It also explains how to format and expand a partition to use the unallocated space.

How to Delete a Recovery Partition in Windows

Because recovery partitions are protected, the steps for removing them differ from deleting a normal partition.

When you create a recovery partition for Windows , it’s best to store it on an external drive in case something happens to your computer. After saving it somewhere else, you can delete the recovery partition from your PC to free up space.

1. Right-click the Start menu and selectTerminal (Admin) Windows 11,Windows PowerShell (Admin) , orCommand Prompt (Admin) .
   If you’re using Windows 7 or earlier, you’ll have to open Command Prompt another way, like through the Start menu or Run dialog box.
2. Typediskpart and pressEnter , then typelist disk and pressEnter .
3. A list of disks displays. Type select disk # (where # is the number of the disk with the recovery partition) and press Enter .
   If you’re unsure which one it’s on, find out by opening the Disk Management tool .
   
4. Type list partition and press Enter . A list of partitions displays. Type select partition # (where # is the number of the recovery partition) and press Enter .
   
5. Type delete partition override and pressEnter .

After you see a confirmation message, you can close the PowerShell/Command Prompt.

How to Format a Partition

Deleting a recovery partition will create a section of unallocated space on your drive. To use the unallocated space, you must format the partition:

1. Right-click the Start menu and select Disk Management .
   If using Windows 7 or earlier, click theStart menu and type diskmgmt.msc in the search box to find the Disk Management tool.
2. Beside the disk number for your hard drive, you’ll see several partitions, including one namedUnallocated . Right-click theUnallocated partition and selectNew Simple Volume .
   
3. SelectNext to continue the wizard.
4. Enter how much data the new partition should use out of the unallocated space, then selectNext .
   
5. Choose a letter from the drop-down menu to assign to the partition, then selectNext .
   
6. Enter a name for the partition in theVolume label field, then selectNext .

The default file system is NTFS , but you can change it to FAT32 or another file system if you wish.

7. SelectFinish to close the wizard.

How to Expand a Partition to Use the Unallocated Space

If you want to expand another partition to use the extra space, then the unallocated space must appear to the immediate right of that partition in the Disk Management tool. To extend a partition:

1. Right-click the partition you want to expand and selectExtend Volume .
   
2. SelectNext to continue the wizard.
3. Enter how much of the unallocated space you want to use, then selectNext .
   
4. SelectFinish to terminate the wizard. The Windows partition will be resized to include the extra space.

FAQ

• Is it safe to delete a recovery partition in Windows?
  Yes. Removing a recovery partition will not affect the Windows operating system.
• How do I restore a deleted Windows recovery partition?
  To restore deleted recovery partitions, rebuild the Windows Boot Configuration Drive , use a third-party tool, or reinstall Windows.
• How do I factory reset Windows without a recovery partition?
  Use Reset This PC to restore your Windows PC to factory settings. In Windows 8, use Refresh Your PC to back up your files first.
• How do I create a recovery drive in Windows?
  In Windows 11 or 10, search forCreate a recovery drive and check the box besideBack up system files to the recovery drive . Next, connect a USB drive, then selectNext . You can also create a recovery drive in Windows 8 .

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