Multiple Recovery Partitions in Windows 10/11 - Causes and Solutions

Updated by

Sherly 

Updated on April 25, 2024

In this article, we will explain why Windows 10/11 has multiple recovery partitions and how you can safely delete them.

Why do I have multiple recovery partitions on my disk?

Why do I have multiple recovery partitions? The issue of having multiple recovery partitions usually occurs after several Windows upgrades or in-place repairs. If the previous recovery partition didn't have enough room for an upgrade, Windows creates an additional recovery partition, taking up hundreds of MBs of your disk space.

To prevent having multiple recovery partitions in Windows 10, you can extend the system recovery partition before upgrading. To quickly get rid of multiple recovery partitions, click the button and use Partition Master to safely delete them.

Share this article to let more users know why there can be multiple recovery partitions.

Which recovery partition should I delete?

Can you <a href="/partition-master/delete-recovery-partition.html">delete recovery partition</a>? Which recovery partition should you delete? Don't worry. This part will show you how to safely remove unnecessary recovery partitions.

You can safely delete extra recovery partitions without affecting the Windows operating system. However, you must make sure that you do not delete the recovery partition in use. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Type cmd in the Windows 10/11 search box, then press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to run Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Type the following command in the Command Prompt window, and then press Enter: reagentc /info

The command prompt will display the recovery partition that you're using, counted from left-to-right. You can then use the guide in this article to delete the unused recovery partition.

How to Safely Delete Multiple Recovery Partitions in Windows 10

The easiest and safest way to remove the redundant recovery partition on Windows 10 or Windows 11 is by using the Partition Master tool. It's more user-friendly and secure than the Command Prompt, which is more suitable for experienced advanced users.

Guide 1: Remove Multiple Recovery Partitions Using Partition Master In the Windows operating system, recovery partitions typically contain hidden files and tools for system restoration. If you have extra or no-longer-needed recovery partitions, you can use a third-party tool like tools Partition Master to delete them. Here's how: 1. First, visit the tools website and download and install Partition Master. Make sure to choose a version compatible with your computer's operating system. 2. After installation, launch Partition Master. A main interface will appear, displaying all hard disks and partitions. 3. In the main interface, locate the recovery partition you want to delete. It is usually labeled "Recovery" or has a related name. 4. Select the target recovery partition and click on the "Delete Partition" or "Remove Partition" button from the toolbar. 5. A warning window will pop up, asking you to confirm the deletion. Make sure you have backed up all important data, as this action cannot be undone. Click "OK" to proceed. 6. Once the partition is deleted, it will show as unallocated space. You can then choose to merge this space with an adjacent partition or create a new one. 7. Finally, click "Apply" or "Execute Task" to apply the changes. This process may take some time depending on the size of the partition. Please note that while tools Partition Master is a reliable tool, it's always advisable to back up crucial data before any disk operations to prevent accidental data loss.

Professional Partition Manager Tool is a reliable disk manager. It helps you efficiently delete partitions (like recovery partition, D drive, C drive) without entering any commands. Its intuitive interface makes it user-friendly for beginners. It is compatible with all Windows versions, including Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/XP/Vista. Download this partition manager and follow the guide to delete multiple recovery partitions.

Step 1: Launch MiniTool Partition Wizard and click “Partition Management”. Right click the partition to be recovered and select “Delete”.

Click OK to confirm the deletion of the selected partition.

Step 3: Click "Run Task", then click "Apply" in the new window to completely remove the recovery partition.

This tool is a quicker way to manage and delete recovery partitions. Don't miss out. It also allows you to move the recovery partition in Windows 10.

Guide 2: Removing Multiple Recovery Partitions using Diskpart Command

Next up, we'll translate this into American English: Diskpart requires using the command line to perform deletion operations. Incorrect commands can lead to data loss, so be cautious. To delete an unused recovery partition using Windows' built-in Diskpart tool, follow these steps:

Type “diskpart” into the computer's search bar, then click “Run as administrator” on the right.

In the new “Disk Management” window, type the commands listed below, one at a time, pressing Enter after each.

• List disks (shows all disks) • Select disk 0 (replace 0 with the number of the disk that contains the recovery partition) • List partitions (shows all partitions on the selected disk) • Select partition 7 (replace 7 with the number of the unused recovery partition) • Delete partition

The redundant recovery partition has been removed. Then, you can create a new partition or extend another one with the unallocated space. If the recovery partition is on the left of the target drive, Diskpart cannot extend the partition with the unallocated space. It's recommended to use Partition Master Tool. After deletion, you can directly extend the partition or create a new one with the unallocated space.

Conclusions

This article explains why there can be multiple recovery partitions in Windows 10 and offers two methods to safely delete redundant recovery partitions. However, for beginners, it's recommended to use a safer and quicker tool, Partition Master, to avoid data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions About Having Two or More Recovery Partitions in Windows 10/11

You might already know why there could be multiple recovery partitions and how to get rid of them. Read on for more details.

Why do I have two recovery partitions?

When you upgrade Windows to a new version, the installer checks for available space on the recovery partition. If there isn't enough free space on the previous recovery partition to hold the update, Windows will create a second recovery partition. This is why you might have two or more recovery partitions.

2. How can I merge two recovery partitions?

You cannot directly merge two recovery partitions. You need to delete the unused recovery partition first, and then extend another partition with the unallocated space.

3. Is it normal to have 2 or more recovery partitions?

Yes, a Recovery Partition is a special partition on a Windows system drive used to restore the operating system to its factory settings in case of issues. The Update Assistant creates a second recovery partition when the existing one doesn't have enough space for updates.