Multiple EFI Partitions

Question

Checked computer management and found 2 EFI partitions and also checked with a partition manager which displays 3 EFI partitions.

Why so many?

How do I know which one is being used?

James

Answer 1

The 16mb is hidden MSR which is reserved for future use such as Bitlocker and should be ignored and left alone.

The tutorial I gave shows how to spread the columns so I can read the labels in the Status column, which was not done. You should not work on these partitions if there is no more attention to detail than this, as it requires utmost precision and following instructions to the letter.

There is a question of why there are two 100mb EFI System Partitions. Since they're small you can just ignore it, or if you need to know assign both a letter using the partition manager, post a screenshot of contents back and I'll try to help you figure out which is actually booting Windows. Or the Status labels may tell us if only one is labeled System.

Answer 2

Not sure why you deleted one before providing the screenshot properly prepared so we could simply see which one was labeled System in the Status column, which was not spread properly so I could read it.

If not then I showed how to assign a letter to post back contents of both EFI partitions so we could see which one had the boot files.

And there are other ways to determine which was was booting it, but if it wasn't interfering you could leave the duplicate.

If you ever decide to use Bitlocker you may need the 16mb MSR partition.

I'm glad it's working now.

Answer 3

I did find out which one Windows was using.

I deleted the one next directly to the left of C; and when I tried to boot it

couldn't find an operating system, I restore an image and was able to boot.

I then deleted the other, 2 (110 mb and the 16 mb.)

Just hope everything runs ok after removing the 16 mb. Been running finso far.

My best bet was to not mess with them at all but I just couldn't help myself.

Answer 4

My third party partition manager is showing one more EFI of 16.00 MB. I know Windows requires at least one EFI.

Answer 5

Hi James. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

Please post a screenshot of Disk Management, which I read like a doctor reads X-rays. Follow the steps here so I can see everything needed to advise you: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/foru...

I'll be able to tell you more after the screenshot.