Windows RE partitions

business_kid · 06-26-2025, 07:11 AM

Morning All!

Code:

Number  Start (sector)    End (sector)  Size       Code  Name
   1            2048          206847   100.0 MiB   EF00  EFI system partition
   2          206848          239615   16.0 MiB    0C01  Microsoft reserved ...
   3          239616       531411596   253.3 GiB   0700  Basic data partition
   4       531412992       533116927   832.0 MiB   2700  [Windows RE]
   5       533121024       534145023   500.0 MiB   8300  boot
   6       534145024       659974143   60.0 GiB    8300  root
   7       659974144       999170047   161.7 GiB   8300  home
   8       999170048      1000212479   509.0 MiB   2700  [Windows RE]

I had to have my pc built for me, so it came with windows. I gave strict instructions to only use half the disk. I chose an install of Windows 10, which was cheaper, and gave me the free upgrade later to W11. W10 put partition 4 there, and the free upgrade inserted partition 8.

Recovery partitions? Recovery from what? Has anyone ever recovered, and how do you go about it? From what I've read, you use it when windows won't boot, but windows is expected to boot on the recovery drive

It also nukes the existing install. That's fine by me, I have nothing in installed

. But it might upset others.

hitest · 06-26-2025, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by business_kid

Recovery partitions? Recovery from what? Has anyone ever recovered, and how do you go about it?

Some PCs come pre-loaded with a recovery installation of Windows 10 that you can use if your existing install becomes corrupted by viruses or a bad Win 10 update, etc. To access the recovery partition you would probably boot using a function key like F2 or F12 (depending on your model) and then go into your UEFI settings and boot your PC from the factory reset image. The recovery image will return your PC to the same state as when you first booted it up.

enorbet · 06-26-2025, 10:21 AM

Allow me to suggest that it's likely smarter to download the latest upgraded installer before October. Chances are the recovery installed on that partition lacks numerous important updates. An up to date installer will have them all, IIRC.

business_kid · 06-26-2025, 12:15 PM

Thanks for the ideas guys. Bring windows back to before those updates is the last thing I want. I have a reinstall cd, I'm just irritated at the waste of space. Nobody has successfully used one? Anyone?

BTW, I haven't booted Windows since the end of winter.

boughtonp · 06-27-2025, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by business_kid

I had to have my pc built for me, so it came with windows.

It didn't come with Windows because it was built for you. It came with Windows because you chose for it to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by business_kid

Nobody has successfully used one? Anyone?

This is the General discussion area of Linux forum. For most people here, Windows is probably in a VM and "recovery" means copying a backup system disk image that was created after installing relevant software. You'd probably get answers if you found "Windows Questions" or equivalent.

business_kid · 06-27-2025, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boughtonp

It didn't come with Windows because it was built for you. It came with Windows because you chose for it to.

Yes, but if I didn't have an OS, they couldn't test the components they were supplying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boughtonp

This is the General discussion area of Linux forum. For most people here, Windows is probably in a VM and "recovery" means copying a backup system disk image that was created after installing relevant software. You'd probably get answers if you found "Windows Questions" or equivalent.

From my own research, it's a lame attempt to sell a dud OS as "rugged" (pause for laughter).
I was hoping someone could confirm/deny that. It seems they cannot. IME linux users know stuff that windows users don't. That's why I asked here.