Default Windows 10 Partitions

Question

I was trying to install arch linux via command line, When setting up partitions i accidentally put arch on my windows 10 drive. This meant windows 10 got wiped. Luckily i had a windows 10 install with me, so it didnt matter that much. I just want to make sure all traces of arch are gone. I would like to know what default partitions windows 10 makes.

Are these partitions suppose to be there, or is 1 of them not suppose to be there. My pc is custom not OEM(I know that OEM installs sometimes have an extra partition). The following are my partitions on my main drive:

Answer 1

You have one extra 450 MB recovery partition before all other partitions. This doesn't do any harm on normal usage of PC.

When recovery partion is last then Windows can shrink previous partition if recovery partition need more spce. That couldun't be done for first partition.

Answer 2

Hi _imMiles_,

I'm Paul, a fellow customer like you & an Independent Advisor. To answer your question, there's no default partition as users are given a choice (prior to installing Windows) which partition to install Windows OS. However, that GPT/NTFS/drive C:\ on your screenshot is usually the preferred choice for many. When you say "you had a Windows 10 install", you mean you have

Windows 10 installer or you have another Windows 10 version installed on another partition?

Looking forward to your reply. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Paul A.

Independent Advisor

Answer 3

On this support page is described Windows 10 recommended disk layout for GPT disk.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/configure-uefigpt-based-hard-drive-partitions

Answer 4

Hi Paul,

My windows install is completely fresh, only windows 10 is installed, no other OS is loaded on the system at the moment. I just want to know if the partitions I showed are normal or not. When looking on the internet it says i should have 4 partitions. I have 5, so i just want to know if my install is normal or arch still has files on the drive.

Best Regards,

                 Miles

Answer 5

Hi Miles,

Got it, thanks. Yes, those partitions are all good. You even have an extra 450MB for your Linux OS.

I hope I was able to provide some light on the matter. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Paul A.

Independent Advisor