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Delete Dell's Recovery partition

Anonymous
2011-05-19T18:22:20+00:00

How can I delete Dell's Recovery partition, OS = Windows7. Two issues, the recovery partition is "active" and can not be deleted, and I believe the Recovery partition also contains some boot components that would have to be moved to the OS partition. Thanks, Brian

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Recovery and backup

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-05-19T19:05:51+00:00

    You should not delete the recovery partition. It can reinstall Windows - don't remove it.

    If your Dell computer allows you to create install disks from the recovery partition do so first.

    Or make a system image:

    http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/4241/how-to-create-a-system-image-in-windows-7/

    Create system repair disc:

    1. Open Backup and Restore by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Backup and Restore.
    2. In the left pane, click Create a system repair disc, and then follow the steps. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

    Delete recovery partition:

    If you are unable to make changes to partitions using Disk Management below are partitioning programs you can use.

    Paragon Partition Manager (free):

    A good program for making general changes to hard drive partitions while Windows is running. Create, delete, format, and resize partitions with this program. It can also defragment, check file system integrity, and more. Be careful, re-sizing partitions is usually safe but errors can happen, and always backup anything important before modifying partitions on your hard drive.

    http://www.paragon-software.com/home/pm-express/download.html

    EASEUS Partition Master (free):

    Includes Partition Manager, Disk & Partition Copy Wizard and Partition Recovery Wizard for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7 (32 bit and 64 bit). It allows users to Resize/Move Partition, Extend System Drive, Copy Disk & Partition, Merge Partition, Split Partition, Redistribute Free Space, Convert Dynamic Disk, Partition Recovery and more. Be careful, re-sizing partitions is usually safe but errors can happen, and always backup anything important before modifying partitions on your hard drive.

    http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm

    If Windows doesn't boot:

    Try Repairing The Windows 7 Installation

    1a. Insert the Windows 7 DVD or repair disk and restart your computer. Boot from the DVD, press a key if prompted.

    1b. Or if the computer can boot you can press F8 instead repeatedly at boot and chose "Repair your computer" then go to step 4.

    1. Choose your language and click Next.
    2. Click Repair Your Computer and then select the operating system you want to repair.
    3. Click on the Startup Repair link from list of recovery tools in System Recovery Options.

    More info and a how to guide:

    http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/ss/windows-7-startup-repair.htm

    If that doesn't fix it: 

    1a. Insert the Windows 7 DVD or repair disk and restart your computer. Boot from the DVD, press a key if prompted.

    1b. Or if the computer can boot you can press F8 instead repeatedly at boot and chose "Repair your computer" then go to step 4.

    1. Choose your language and click Next.
    2. Click Repair Your Computer and then select the operating system you want to repair.
    3. Select Command Prompt and type the following commands (pressing Enter after each one):  

    bootrec /fixMBR

    bootrec /fixBoot

    bootrec /rebuildBCD

    Note: there is a space before the /

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-09T21:40:02+00:00

    I've got a dell with Vista on it

    I did a clean install with win 7 ultimate

    I think there is now two recoveries in my recovery partition (as it is overfull)

    How can I remove dell's vista and get a pristine win 7 installation with a normal recovery partition?

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-23T01:36:32+00:00

    What doesn't work  is using the Dell Recovery and Restore Media... it boots into a "Dell tries to fix it for you and you can't do anything" mode that puts you in worse shape than you were at the begining.... make sure you don't use that to try and get into the command line!

    Now nothing is working- I jsut get a black screen... everything I have tried to get the drive to work has failed....

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-05-19T22:01:35+00:00

    I'm still looking how to identify and move any necessary boot files from the recovery partition to the OS partition. I was hopeing that someone has gone through this and would share what they did. Thanks again, Brian

    The "Try Repairing The Windows 7 Installation" section above will replace boot files if they were removed. Make a system repair disc first so you can repair if needed.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-05-19T21:43:41+00:00

    Thank-you for your responce. I want to delete the partition because I believe it is wasted space that I can use in the OS partition (I have updated my OS since Dell created the Recovery partition). I plan on making a recovery disc for any future repairs. Your response provided some usefull information, thank-you. I'm still looking how to identify and move any necessary boot files from the recovery partition to the OS partition. I was hopeing that someone has gone through this and would share what they did. Thanks again, Brian

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