Solved Windows 11 version 25H2 fails to install: we couldn't update the system reserved partition

Nick12345 · Feb 14, 2026

Hello everyone, and nice to meet you all.

Since yesterday, after receiving a Windows Update notification that version 25H2 is available for my laptop, I’ve been experiencing the following issue:

My laptop's specifications:

My current Windows 11 Home version

I have tried the following:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Search for cmd in the Start menu, right-click, and select "Run as administrator".

Mount the Partition: Type mountvol y: /s and press Enter to assign the Y: drive letter to the system partition.

Navigate to the Fonts Folder: Type y: and press Enter. Then, navigate to the fonts folder by typing cd EFI\Microsoft\Boot\Fonts and press Enter.
Delete Font Files: Type del *.* and press Enter to delete font files. Confirm with Y if prompted.

Restart and Update: Close the command prompt and restart your computer to apply the changes, then retry the Windows 11 installation.

This does not work. I have tried multiple times but I am getting the same error.

Can anyone help, please?

Thank you very much!

zbook · Feb 14, 2026

1) Please add WMIC:

Code:

DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:WMIC~~~~

Add or Remove WMIC command Feature in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the WMIC command as an optional feature for all users in Windows 11. The WMI command-line (WMIC) utility provides a command-line interface for Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). WMIC is compatible with existing shells and utility commands...

www.elevenforum.com

2) Run tuneup_plus_log.bat > post a share link

https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/bsod-crashes-debugging/360137d1645183388-batch-files-use-bsod-debugging-tuneup_plus_log.bat

Batch files for use in BSOD debugging - Windows 10 Help Forums

Information This thread is for use by the BSOD team to store batch files that can be used to collect additional data, fix settings or anything else that is useful in debugging BSOD problems in Windows 10. The way I see it working is the first

www.tenforums.com

Index of Batch Scripts for BSOD debugging, and other Windows troubleshooting

Toc1 Table of Contents Contents Part Zero Download Tips for Edge, Firefox and Chrome Part One Verify vertical scroll buffer (Height) is large enough Part Two Capture output of batch file to Clipboard Part Two-OneA From Command Prompt or Powershell Window Part Two-OneB From Notepad Window Part...

www.elevenforum.com

3) Run upgrade_failure_info.bat > post a share link

https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/bsod-crashes-debugging/353454d1638278360-batch-files-use-bsod-debugging-upgrade_failure_info.bat

Batch files for use in BSOD debugging - Windows 10 Help Forums

Information This thread is for use by the BSOD team to store batch files that can be used to collect additional data, fix settings or anything else that is useful in debugging BSOD problems in Windows 10. The way I see it working is the first

www.tenforums.com

Batch files for use in BSOD debugging - Windows 10 Help Forums

Information This thread is for use by the BSOD team to store batch files that can be used to collect additional data, fix settings or anything else that is useful in debugging BSOD problems in Windows 10. The way I see it working is the first

www.tenforums.com

4) Run the V2 log collector > post a share link

BSOD - Posting Instructions

BSOD - Posting Instructions This will show you how to help provide needed information about your system and dump files. It will not contain any personal or sensitive information about you or your data. To get better help with your Windows BSOD issue, please read these instructions and follow...

www.elevenforum.com

5) Run diskparinfo.bat > post a share link

https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/bsod-crashes-debugging/355861d1640707960-batch-files-use-bsod-debugging-diskparinfo.bat

Batch files for use in BSOD debugging - Windows 10 Help Forums

Information This thread is for use by the BSOD team to store batch files that can be used to collect additional data, fix settings or anything else that is useful in debugging BSOD problems in Windows 10. The way I see it working is the first

www.tenforums.com

Batch files for use in BSOD debugging - Windows 10 Help Forums

Information This thread is for use by the BSOD team to store batch files that can be used to collect additional data, fix settings or anything else that is useful in debugging BSOD problems in Windows 10. The way I see it working is the first

www.tenforums.com

6) Open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste:

fltmc
mountvol Y: /s
dir Y:\ /s /a >c:\dir.txt

Post a share link

john1955 · Feb 14, 2026

What's the size of your reserve partition? Mine is 100MB and 65MB free

Nick12345 · Feb 14, 2026

@zbook
Thank you for your support! I have successfully completed Step 1 (add WMIC) and Step 2 (Run upgrade_failure_info.bat). After completing Step 2, I now have a zipped folder on my Desktop: Tuneup_log 2026-02-14 at 13-13-24 - How do I share this folder here, please?

Regarding Step 3, I am taken to Windows 10 Forums, however I cannot download upgrade_failure_info.bat because it asks me to login to Windows 10 Forums and I do not have an account there.

Regarding Step 4: Run the V2 log collector, I have tried but I am getting the following error message:

@john1955 how do I check the size of my reserve partition, please?

Do you mean this?

FreeBooter · Feb 14, 2026

I suggest you delete and create new system reserve partition.

In this video, i will take you through the steps to create a Windows recovery partition in a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC installed in UEFI mode with GPT partition style.

Hazel123 · Feb 14, 2026

If you download and use minitool - you can resize the system reserved partition and make it bigger. I think it's a known thing that Windows 11 needs a larger system reserved partition. It's easy to resize it using minitool partition wizard. Mine is 200mb (from a clean install - Windows automatically created it at clean install).

zbook · Feb 14, 2026

For share links please use:

Drop box
Google drive

How to use Google Drive - Computer - Google Drive Help

Want advanced Google Workspace features for your business?

support.google.com

For V2 > view the menu bar > click "extract all" > after the box reappears > run V2 > post a share link into the newest post

For the scripts see if you can launch them from this Eleven Forum link:

Index of Batch Scripts for BSOD debugging, and other Windows troubleshooting

Toc1 Table of Contents Contents Part Zero Download Tips for Edge, Firefox and Chrome Part One Verify vertical scroll buffer (Height) is large enough Part Two Capture output of batch file to Clipboard Part Two-OneA From Command Prompt or Powershell Window Part Two-OneB From Notepad Window Part...

www.elevenforum.com

If these links still require TF logon then please register / logon and comment into this thread.

Nick12345 · Feb 14, 2026

Hello all,

Thank you for your replies, so far.

@FreeBooter - the error message I am getting refers to the Reserved Partition, 16MB in my case, but this is actually misleading? Do they refer to the actual System Partition, as shown in my screenshot, so Partition 1? Is that the Partition that needs resizing? I have watched your video. I am willing to try it. Is this going to work 100%? Will I be able to boot back into Windows if this will not work? This laptop is my primary and only device. I cannot afford it to malfunction. Also, for what it's worth, I have faced similar issues (not enough space on a partition, when a new BIOS has been available for my laptop. I had to try 4 - 5 times to install a new BIOS and I had to use a USB stick. It finally updated, not sure how.

Which Windows 11 ISO should I download, please? Is it the one shown here:

@Hazel123 thank you for your recommendation. I think I will try what @FreeBooter recommended.

john1955 · Feb 14, 2026

It's confusing because the error says it cannot update the System Reserve partition but you have a system and a reserve partition and I only have the 100mb System so I'm going to just watch this thread But I assume you do have a recent backup image of the disks(?) I dont know why it's trying to write to that reserve partition when I dont even have one on either of my computers

Nick12345 · Feb 14, 2026

@zbook

Thank you for your support!

I have successfully completed:
Step 1 - Done
Step 2 - Here is the link: Tuneup_log 2026-02-14 at 13-13-24.zip
Step 3 - I am not able to download the Upgrade_failure_info.bat from this forum. I have not registered on Windows 10 Forums
Step 4 - Completed. Here is the link: HP-ENVY-LAPTOP--(2026-02-14_14-35-23).zip
Step 5 - I am not able to download the diskparinfo.bat from this forum. I have not registered on Windows 10 Forums
Step 6- Done. Here is the link: dir.txt

Can you please provide the following:
Upgrade_failure_info.bat
diskparinfo.bat

I wouldn't like to register to Windows 10 Forums just for these two scripts.

Thank you very much!

Hazel123 · Feb 14, 2026

Hazel123 said:
If you download and use minitool - you can resize the system reserved partition and make it bigger. I think it's a known thing that Windows 11 needs a larger system reserved partition. It's easy to resize it using minitool partition wizard. Mine is 200mb (from a clean install - Windows automatically created it at clean install).

Edit - apologies - 200mb is my boot partition. When I checked with diskpart, my system reserved partition is only 16mb!

zbook · Feb 14, 2026

Please download and install:

voidtools

www.voidtools.com

Search for > post share links

C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Rollback
C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther
C:\Windows\inf\setupapi.dev.log

Open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste:

fltmc

Post a share link

Nick12345 · Feb 14, 2026

zbook said:
Rollback

zbook said:
Please download and install:

voidtools

www.voidtools.com

Search for > post share links

C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Rollback
C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther
C:\Windows\inf\setupapi.dev.log

Open administrative command prompt and type or copy and paste:

fltmc

Post a share link

Panther --> Panther - Google Drive

setupapi.dev.log -- > setupapi.dev.log

Celery · Feb 14, 2026

Partitions:
- System 100 MB
- Reserved 16 MB
- Primary (Windows)
- Recovery 928 MB

Google Gemini:

It’s a bit of a "lost in translation" situation with Windows error messages. Even though your disk is GPT and you see a 100 MB System Partition (the EFI System Partition or ESP), Windows still uses the old-school terminology "System Reserved" when it encounters an error writing to the boot files.

The error message "We couldn't update the system reserved partition" usually has nothing to do with the 16 MB MSR (Microsoft Reserved) partition.

Instead, it means the 100 MB EFI System Partition is too full. During a major feature update like 25H2, Windows needs to write new boot files to that partition. If there isn't enough "breathing room" (typically at least 15-30 MB of free space), the update fails immediately to prevent your laptop from becoming unbootable.

Hazel123 · Feb 14, 2026

Celery said:
Partitions:
- System 100 MB
- Reserved 16 MB
- Primary (Windows)
- Recovery 928 MB

Google Gemini:

That's what I thought - it's the EFI partition that needs increasing.

zbook · Feb 14, 2026

Please search for > post share links

C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC
C:\Windows\Panther\NewOS
C:\Windows\Panther\setupact.log
C:\Windows\Panther\setuperr.log
C:\Windows\Logs\MoSetup
C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\Panther\setupact.log
C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\Panther\setuperr.log

garlin · Feb 14, 2026

Some vendors (Dell and HP) may store firmware images in the EFI partition, so they can flash the BIOS without needing you to provide an USB stick. The problem being they don't clean up older versions.

Run these commands:

Code:

mountvol S: /s
dir s:\EFI\HP\DEVFW
dir S:\EFI\HP\BIOS\Previous
dir S:\EFI\HP\BIOS\Current

Don't remove anything, but report if you have any large files stored in those folders. If you don't have those folders, that's OK.

zbook · Feb 14, 2026

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.

The prior BIOS issues placed extra files in the system partition.

There was insufficient free space blocking the upgrade.

Code:

 Directory of Y:\EFI\HP

29/10/2022  22:03    <DIR>          .
29/10/2022  22:03    <DIR>          ..
15/12/2025  20:26    <DIR>          BIOS
15/12/2025  20:24    <DIR>          BIOSUpdate
15/12/2025  20:24    <DIR>          DEVFW
24/05/2024  09:00    <DIR>          SystemDiags
24/05/2024  09:11               420 DI.efi
               1 File(s)            420 bytes

 Directory of Y:\EFI\HP\BIOS

29/10/2022  22:03    <DIR>          .
29/10/2022  22:03    <DIR>          ..
15/12/2025  20:26    <DIR>          Current
29/10/2022  22:08    <DIR>          Previous
19/11/2022  00:22    <DIR>          New1
15/12/2025  20:24    <DIR>          New
               0 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of Y:\EFI\HP\BIOS\Current

29/10/2022  22:03    <DIR>          .
29/10/2022  22:03    <DIR>          ..
15/12/2025  20:26        16,777,216 08A2E.bin
15/12/2025  20:26               256 08A2E.sig
               2 File(s)     16,777,472 bytes

 Directory of Y:\EFI\HP\BIOS\Previous

29/10/2022  22:03    <DIR>          .
29/10/2022  22:03    <DIR>          ..
29/10/2022  22:08        16,777,216 08A2E.bin
29/10/2022  22:08               256 08A2E.sig
               2 File(s)     16,777,472 bytes

 Directory of Y:\EFI\HP\BIOS\New1

18/11/2022  23:37    <DIR>          .
18/11/2022  23:37    <DIR>          ..
04/12/2022  08:00        16,777,216 08A2E.bin
04/12/2022  08:00               256 08A2E.sig
04/12/2022  08:00                 0 08A2E.b01
               3 File(s)     16,777,472 bytes

 Directory of Y:\EFI\HP\BIOS\New

04/12/2022  08:00    <DIR>          .
04/12/2022  08:00    <DIR>          ..
15/12/2025  20:24                 0 08A2E.bin
15/12/2025  20:24                 0 08A2E.b01
               2 File(s)              0 bytes

 Directory of Y:\EFI\HP\BIOSUpdate

29/10/2022  22:03    <DIR>          .
29/10/2022  22:03    <DIR>          ..
11/04/2023  14:59           454,184 CryptRSA.efi
21/05/2023  08:22            18,543 HpBiosUpdate.log
15/12/2025  20:24                 0 BiosMgmt.efi
15/12/2025  20:24               256 BiosMgmt.s09
15/12/2025  20:24               256 BiosMgmt.s12
15/12/2025  20:24               256 BiosMgmt.s14
               6 File(s)        473,495 bytes

Nick12345 · Feb 14, 2026

@zbook

Do you still require this information?

Please search for > post share links

C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC
C:\Windows\Panther\NewOS
C:\Windows\Panther\setupact.log
C:\Windows\Panther\setuperr.log
C:\Windows\Logs\MoSetup
C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\Panther\setupact.log
C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\Panther\setuperr.log

I have trouble uploading some of these files to Google Drive, to share them. It says: File Unreadable.

Have you come to any conclusion(s) from all the System information I have shared so far with you? Can you tell me what might be causing this issue and what can I do to fix it?

I have just run Windows Update again and I am still getting the exact same error.

FreeBooter · Feb 14, 2026

Open File Explorer and navigate to the system reserved partition (usually labeled as "System Reserved" or "EFI System Partition").

Solved Windows 11 version 25H2 fails to install: we couldn't update the system reserved partition

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