[SOLVED] Can I delete the "System Reserved" Volume from my 3TB hard disk drive?

[Tearaxe]

I have a 3TB hard disk drive and It turns out that I need to delete all of the partitions of this drive to be able to convert it to a GPT Disk, so I can use all of the 3TB (currently only able to use 2TB). I was wondering if the system reserved partition is required for Windows to work properly. This disk isn't where Windows 10 is installed, as I have installed it onto an M.2 SSD.
Basically asking, is it okay to delete the "System Reserved" partition?
Thanks!

 

[rgd1101]

when you install windows 10 on the m.2 ssd, did you have the hdd plug in?
can test it by unplug the hdd and test if the m.2 still boot.

 

[Tearaxe]

when you install windows 10 on the m.2 ssd, did you have the hdd plug in?
can test it by unplug the hdd and test if the m.2 still boot.

Currently away from home right now, but I will unplug my HDD when I get back home. My Windows still boots up, does that mean it's okay to delete "System Reserved?"

 

[USAFRet]

Power OFF
Physically disconnect the drive in question.
Power UP

Does it boot properly?

 

[Tearaxe]

Unfortunately, when I take out the HDD, the system asks me to select the proper boot device, meaning that I cannot boot up windows properly without the HDD.

 

[Deleted member 14196]

so do NOT delete that partition on the HDD. you left that HDD attached and powered on when you installed windows to the m.2

 

[Tearaxe]

so do NOT delete that partition on the HDD. you left that HDD attached and powered on when you installed windows to the m.2

Damn. So is there any other way I can use all of my 3TB of space?

 

[Deleted member 14196]

there are other gurus who could help you through that. I am too rusty for that. Others here will most likely help you.

I would back up my data and do a clean install following these instructions. Do not have any drive hooked up or powered on except the m.2 when you install. After successful install and configuration (drivers/etc), then you power off and hook up the HDD and then you can do what you want.

But that is just me. However, lots of folks are complaining about stuttering in games after clean install, so, it's up to you. Best of luck.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Damn. So is there any other way I can use all of my 3TB of space?

Show us screenshot from Disk Management.
Essentially you'd have to create a new bootloader partition on your SSD for it to be bootable without HDD present.

 

[USAFRet]

Possibly this:

Create a Win 10 install USB
Disconnect the 3TB drive.
Boot up from the Win 10 USB, and run the Repair function

This may work.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Boot up from the Win 10 USB, and run the Repair function
This may work.

Nah. Automatic repair can not create a new bootloader partition.

 

[popatim]

https://www.backup-utility.com/clone/move-system-reserved-partition-to-another-drive.html

 

[Tearaxe]

Show us a

screenshot from Disk Management.
Essentially you'd have to create a new bootloader partition on your SSD for it to be bootable without HDD present.

Disk 0 is my 3TB HDD. I can use 2TB, but I cannot use the other 1TB. Disk 1 is my 500GB M.2 SSD, with Windows 10 installed onto it.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Execute these commands from elevated command prompt:
( c: is shrinked, new bootloader partition is created, made active and bootloader files are copied onto it)

diskpart​

list disk​

select disk 1​

list partition​

select partition 1​

shrink desired=500​

create partition primary​

format fs=ntfs quick​

active​

assign letter=H​

exit​

bcdboot C:\windows /s H:​

After this is done, disconnect HDD and verify, you can boot from SSD.
Reconnect HDD, adjust boot sequence in BIOS.
Now you can clean your HDD and change partitioning scheme.

 

[USAFRet]

Execute these commands from elevated command prompt:
....

Question: This results in the boot partition having the H drive letter?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Question: This results in the boot partition having the H drive letter?

Of course. Letter can be removed afterwards.

 

[USAFRet]

OK, just checking.
I've been meaning to blatantly plagiarize your procedure for a while, and just wanted to verify.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Sure - plagiarize away.
The script doesn't contain anything other than common knowledge.

 

[USAFRet]

Sure - plagiarize away.
The script doesn't contain anything other than common knowledge.

Right.
But I generally don't recommend a specific series of steps like that, if I've not done it personally.

 

[Tearaxe]

Right.
But I generally don't recommend a specific series of steps like that, if I've not done it personally.

Just a quick update, I'm pretty sure I managed to transfer all the important stuff from systems reserved. By using Easy BCD, the software automatically transferred the boot device and made it the C drive (my SSD). I am currently typing this with my HDD plugged out of my PC so, unlike before, the system now boots without the HDD. Does this mean it is safe for me to delete the systems reserved volume from my HDD?

 

[Deleted member 14196]

yes, you can nuke the hdd

 

[Tearaxe]

Here I goo! 😬

 

[Tearaxe]

Alright, guys, I have solved the issue. My HDD is now using its full 3TB of storage and the system now boots from the SSD.

Huge thanks to everyone who took their time out of their days to help me fix this issue. I really do appreciate it.

 

[Deleted member 14196]

you should pick the winning answer, I upvoted one but you get to choose, that will show other users this issue is solved and show the correct answer you pick.

 

[Mattnrosie10]

Currently away from home right now, but I will unplug my HDD when I get back home. My Windows still boots up, does that mean it's okay to delete "System Reserved?"

You can delete the system reserve file no problem but if u have a system error issue you would need to reinstall instead of doing a repair as u have no backup of files your best of doing a backup of your system on a DVD-RW disc or and external hdd/ssd drive.