Cannot access System reserved partition in diskmgmt.msc

Question

I'm trying to access the System Reserved Partition. When I start the disk management console I can see the volume I want but properties is greyed out. I'm on Windows 10 Home Insider preview, build 18351.1. I can access it from Powershell  using mountvol F: /S. I can also access it from Linux, but that's time consuming. Can I really not access this from partition from its own OS, Microsoft???

Answer 1

Paul -

It seems you're making space on the System Reserved partition to get past the error. You can also resolve this by extending it a bit using a Partition Manager like free Partition Wizard to Extend. It has the ability to borrow free space from any other partition on the hard drive even if not adjacent.

See video tutorial here:

http://partitionwizard.com/video-help/extend_pa...

You may need to assign a letter first also using the Partition Manager.

Answer 2

Thank you for the quick reply, Greg! As I said, I'm on the Insider fast ring, which means I get updates pretty frequently. This installation seems to have trouble writing files to the EFI partition. I believe that is because that partition is shared with a Linux installation. The Windows installation always gives an error, "We couldn't update the system reserved partition" on every update.

To fix the error I delete the extra language folders in the EFI\Microsoft\Boot folder in that partition. I can do that easily through the Linux installation, but it would be even easier to do it through Windows.

Answer 3

Hi paul,

I am Sumit, an Independent Advisor and a 2-Year Windows Insider MVP here to help.

Recovery partition as the name suggests is used if your PC fails to boot to access repair options. It is hidden by design so that something does not delete the contents which would make the PC unable to boot.

Any reason why you want to access it?

Answer 4

Hi Paul. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP here to help you.

There's good reason it is not assigned a drive letter and not easily accessible as we see many cases where when it has been a rogue backup or other programs writes files to it and clogs WIndows from being able to Upgrade, System Restore or other procedures that depends on System Volume Information files which must have the extra space on the partition to expand in order to function.

It also can be targeted by hackers and infection if it's easily accessible.

You can use a bootable Partition Manager like Easeus to issue it a drive letter so it's accessed in File Explorer.

If you'll say what you need to do then I can help you better.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.