Windows Installation Drive - partition questions


When I upgraded from a WD Black HDD to a 2.5" SSD in 2012 the boot time dropped from 3min (180 sec) to 25 sec, that is 7 times faster.
In 2016 I bought a new computer and installed a M.2 drive (1900 M/s) so I was expecting a boot time of less than 10 sec.
For may surprise the boot time remain 25 sec.
Have installed many NVMe in many computers and even they are very fast on the bench mark test, I didn't notice the difference.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP 64 - Lubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Win 11
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    (4) -1 BX500 SSD - 128G for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Q550LF
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800- 3000MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs
    & 1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
Fishmill said:
Unless you have a very unusual use case, I don't think you notice any appreciable performance difference on 2 different gen 4 drives.

But you may be highly concerned with benchmarks you've seen. Or the stated TBW in the spec sheets. Or with random Internet anecdotes. Or brand loyalty.

You state: "1Tb drive was going to be used for disk imaging for backup, critical data backup and maybe as a scrub disk for video editing."

"disk imaging for backup" of what exactly?

An image of 2 TB of whatever probably won't fit on a 1 TB drive.

If the partition to be imaged has no more than maybe 1.5 TB occupied, that might fit on a 1 TB backup drive...snugly. I say might.

If "data" is not on C, maybe you can keep an image of C relatively small and backup "data" separately through something other than imaging, typically with an application like Sync Back Free or Free File Sync that simply replicates file by file as you specify.....these files, these folders, not these files, not these folders, using check boxes.

Data file backup by imaging is doable, but unnecessarily complex.

Ideally, you'd like the larger drive for data and backup. Or even 3 drives: C for OS/apps; D for data; E for backups of both C and D...with E being the largest.

But I don't know locked in you are to a budget or your original plan.
Click to expand...
Sorry to have made you post much of this as I used a phrase a little loosely. When I said disk imaging, I was meaning imaging of the OS drive (via Macrium until my recent investigations showed the are going to the dark side and subscription models)

I went ahead and took everyone's advice last night as a test. So my 1Tb drive now has a 120gb partition for the OS and Win 11 installed into it. The rest of the drive is given over to a Backup partition 900 odd GB) which I planned to use to store macrium images of the OS drive (and so much smaller than the 900GB partition).

The 4TB drive is now a single Data partition. Where games, installs and whatever else will live due to its 'spec sheet' speed.

I did have a query though on the partitioning i did last night on the 1TB drive.

I was doing what someone suggested. Create a 120GB partition and a partition for the rest (say 880GB) and once created delete the 120GB partition so it becomes unallocated and then install windows in to it.

Now this seems to have worked but when I go into disk manager in windows isnonlt shows the System, Windows and Recovery bits. And then my 880GB partition. Thr MSR if I remember rightly is missing. Is that normal in that view?

Any other tools I could use to see everything worked as intended? I don't mind going through the process again to fix stuff as it's a good learning experience for me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
Method said:
Sorry to have made you post much of this as I used a phrase a little loosely. When I said disk imaging, I was meaning imaging of the OS drive (via Macrium until my recent investigations showed the are going to the dark side and subscription models)
Click to expand...

Yes. Unfortunately they have gone to subscriptions.

Fortunately, I bought a lifetime license 10 years ago when they were under 20 dollars.

Method said:
I went ahead and took everyone's advice last night as a test. So my 1Tb drive now has a 120gb partition for the OS and Win 11 installed into it. The rest of the drive is given over to a Backup partition 900 odd GB) which I planned to use to store macrium images of the OS drive (and so much smaller than the 900GB partition).
Click to expand...

I assume you are quite confident that you will never expect C to take up more than maybe 90 or 100 GB.

Maybe I am not following you, but....

How does a Macrium image of an OS partition that is saved in a backup partition on that same drive help you out when that same drive drops dead?

Method said:
Now this seems to have worked but when I go into disk manager in windows isnonlt shows the System, Windows and Recovery bits. And then my 880GB partition. Thr MSR if I remember rightly is missing. Is that normal in that view?
Click to expand...

Right now, my very ordinary installation shows 4 partitions on my 500 GB OS drive:

Left to right in Disk Management: recovery (450 mb capacity), EFI system (100 mb capacity), C (464 GB capacity), and another recovery (1000 mb capacity).

I have nothing named "Windows".

Yours may differ, particularly the capacities. At times, my capacities have varied. I let Windows manage all of it and have never had to fiddle with any of these partitions. They were all made by the Windows install process and then totally ignored.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
Fishmill said:
I assume you are quite confident that you will never expect C to take up more than maybe 90 or 100 GB.

Maybe I am not following you, but....

How does a Macrium image of an OS partition that is saved in a backup partition on that same drive help you out when that same drive drops dead?
Click to expand...
Sorry again. More exposition needed.
I will also be copying those macrium images over to my NAS from the Backup (880GB partition). The Backup drive (D:) is convenience. Fast to create images and fast to write them to and fast to restore from. If the drive falls over I've lost nothing as I can come over slowly from the NAS.
Fishmill said:
Left to right in Disk Management: recovery (450 mb capacity), EFI system (100 mb capacity), C (464 GB capacity), and another recovery (1000 mb capacity).

I have nothing named "Windows".
Click to expand...
I'm going by memory here. I will screenshot when I'm home (I'm at work). One thing was definitely missing from what I understood to be the standard windows install (uefi) layout. The machine is connected to Internet now and last thing I did was all the windows updates. However before I do more I want to check it installed properly and that I'm not going to start over with some new partitioning approach based on these helpful discussions.

Btw to everyone reading this and posting: thank-you. It's amazing not to feel alone in this when so much has changed since I last did an install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built




Method said:
I will also be copying those macrium images over to my NAS from the Backup (880GB partition). The Backup drive (D:) is convenience. Fast to create images and fast to write them to and fast to restore from. If the drive falls over I've lost nothing as I can come over slowly from the NAS.
Click to expand...

Your OS partition is 120 gb.

A full image file of it at maximum capacity might be 70 gb in size.

I assume you don't want to save the image file to the 4 TB drive because you are afraid that might cause lack of capacity problems on the 4 TB?

Or do you have another reason to save it on the OS drive?

What is your strongest reason to divide the OS drive into multiple partitions at all, rather than using an ordinary folder structure?

I'd personally be OK with a 120 gb OS partition as I've never even used 60, but most users would give you a major frown at the idea....even though Windows itself is still under 40 gb as far as I know.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
Fishmill said:
Or do you have another reason to save it on the OS drive?

What is your strongest reason to divide the OS drive into multiple partitions at all, rather than using an ordinary folder structure?

I'd personally be OK with a 120 gb OS partition as I've never even used 60, but most users would give you a major frown at the idea....even though Windows itself is still under 40 gb as far as I know.
Click to expand...
The only reason I'm saving to the OS drive is because, after being persuaded that there is no noticeable performance reason for the OS to be on the 'faster' 4TB drive, what else do I do with 1TB for an OS?

Everything I understand about OS imaging is that you don't want your data along with it. So my data is sitting on my other drive. The OS is sitting on the 1TB drive and we both agree that the OS doesn't really need close to the 120GB I've given it.

So what would you use the other 880GB for? Using it for OS images seemed logical, once you accept no risk due to it being on a NAS too.

I may be misunderstanding your line of questioning. Please don't assume I know what I'm doing. I'm learning.

I want re-imaging my OS (if required) to be easy and quick and not involve any of my data
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
I understand and agree with your notion of keeping data separate from OS/installed programs. Not doing so can interfere with the results of an image restoration.

There is no strong over-riding reason to NOT split the OS drive into 2 partitions. But you need to compare the idea of "the 880 gb of wasted space I'm not using" versus the possibility of wishing your 120 gb OS partition was larger than 120 gb several years from now. You are the world's foremost authority on how much space you will need in the future. I have NO idea, but few PC enthusiasts would be excited about 120 gb. I use 55 gb right now, but acknowledge that's quite unusual.

Are you totally averse to putting the 1 TB NVME in an enclosure and using it as a high speed flash drive via a cable connection to a USB port? They are very handy. I use one monthly to make backups of my 300 GB of "most important data". Then buy a new high speed high quality smallish NVME for your OS...250 or 500 GB.

That's just an idea that some use. The enclosure might cost you 20 bucks.

I could understand reluctance to spend more money.

It's not a big deal. I'd be more concerned with outright parts failures.

Be sure to immediately make Macrium rescue media with a USB stick.... confirm it will boot your PC and ideally get comfortable with the restoration process rather than wait till after the stuff hits the fan and you are under pressure.

Good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
Fishmill said:
I understand and agree with your notion of keeping data separate from OS/installed programs. Not doing so can interfere with the results of an image restoration.
Click to expand...

This depends upon your imaging solution. As an example, Macrium Reflect X has the abilioty to excluide folders and files from an image backup. In fact, it is for this reason that I have reorganized by drives. I now combine some data and the OS drive into one. For my needs, it far more efficient because I'm not wasting space trying to juggle space between OS and data. I also exclude the data folders from my image backup and do a separate file / folder backup of the data folders.

By doing it this way I can restore my OS rapidly and be productive while all the data gets restored live while I am in Windows.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kamrui Mini PC, Model CK10
    CPU
    Intel i5-12450H
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 2TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 4TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 4TB 2.5" SSD
    PSU
    120W "Brick"
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Mechanical Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
hsehestedt said:
Macrium Reflect X has the abilioty to excluide folders and files from an image backup.
Click to expand...

Is X the new subscription only version? I'm still on 7 and will likely stay with it for the duration. 4 minutes, once a month.

I remember hearing about some imaging app that was said to allow exclusion of designated files and folders several years ago. Not Macrium, maybe one of the fancy versions of Aomei? But I never read of anybody trying to use it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Fishmill Special
Fishmill said:
I could understand reluctance to spend more money.

It's not a big deal. I'd be more concerned with outright parts failures.

Be sure to immediately make Macrium rescue media with a USB stick.... confirm it will boot your PC and ideally get comfortable with the restoration process rather than wait till after the stuff hits the fan and you are under pressure.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
I've just spent 1 squillion pounds (UK here) on this new PC, so a bit extra won't hurt if needed.

Understand your concern about parts failure. I'll give some thought to the fate of my 1TB drive.

Thanks for the advice re Macrium. Sounds sensible.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
hsehestedt said:
By doing it this way I can restore my OS rapidly and be productive while all the data gets restored live while I am in Windows.
Click to expand...
When you do it this way, I presume after the restore happens, you just get your OS back (as the image excludes said data). Understand you are backing up your data seperately. So how do you re-integrate your data back into the newly restored OS?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
Method said:
When you do it this way, I presume after the restore happens, you just get your OS back (as the image excludes said data). Understand you are backing up your data seperately. So how do you re-integrate your data back into the newly restored OS?
Click to expand...
Well, a restore would restore the OS as well as any apps - everything that is on the C: drive except my data folders. I perform a separate file and folder backup (not disk image backup) of those data folders. As a result, after I restore the disk image, I can start working with my computer while I am restoring the data folders in the background. This helps get me up FAST. The data folders are about 500GB so it takes a while to restore and this way I don't have to wait so long to be up and running.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kamrui Mini PC, Model CK10
    CPU
    Intel i5-12450H
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 2TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 4TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 4TB 2.5" SSD
    PSU
    120W "Brick"
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Mechanical Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
Method said:
Now this seems to have worked but when I go into disk manager in windows it shows the System, Windows and Recovery bits. And then my 880GB partition. Thr MSR if I remember rightly is missing. Is that normal in that view?

Any other tools I could use to see everything worked as intended? I don't mind going through the process again to fix stuff as it's a good learning experience for me.
Click to expand...
Windows Disk manager is a very basic drive manager. It doesn't show MSR partition and doesn't show the correct data size on EFI partition.
I recommend you use Mini Tool
Don't save the main drive partitions image (UEFI, MSR, C: and recovery) on same drive. If the main drive fails you will loose everything. Save it on the 4 T drive.
Use the 900G partition on the main drive to save important data backups from the 4 T drive.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP 64 - Lubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Win 11
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    (4) -1 BX500 SSD - 128G for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Q550LF
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800- 3000MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs
    & 1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
Well, for those of you watching this thread, desperate to know the fascinating outcomes of this discussion for me here we are:

I've listened to more sage advice and now I have simply re-installed W11P on my 1TB drive with the while lot given to the OS as unallocated space

Now interestingly W11 just finished installing and I've done nothing besides go straight to Computer Manager. Here is what it looks like:

20250123_201643.webp

I can't remember who was saying that theirs contains 4 parts, but my ufei install only contains 3 parts. SYS, C: AND RECOVERY.

Before I go any further can someone weigh in please? Am I doing something wrong?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
Fishmill said:
Is X the new subscription only version? I'm still on 7 and will likely stay with it for the duration. 4 minutes, once a month.

I remember hearing about some imaging app that was said to allow exclusion of designated files and folders several years ago. Not Macrium, maybe one of the fancy versions of Aomei? But I never read of anybody trying to use it.
Click to expand...
Hasleo does exclusions

hasleo-filterjpg.webp

hasleo-filterjpg2.webp





Free Windows Backup Software for Windows in 2025 - Hasleo Backup Suite

Hasleo Backup Suite Free is a completely free Windows backup software for Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista and Windows Server that can help you back up and restore the Windows OSs, disks, partitions and files(folders) to protect the security of your Windows and personal data. It is the best free Windows...
www.easyuefi.com www.easyuefi.com

diskgenius has exclusions from partition images, but not whole disk

dg-exclude1.webp




Click the ADD button and browse to any file or folder you want to exclude.

dg-exclude2.webp


Also O&O diskimage last time I looked at it

@Method

MSR partition does not show in windows diskmgmt. It can be seen using diskpart command or a 3d party partitioner such as diskgenius free version

DiskGenius Download Center | Free Download DiskGenius

Free download DiskGenius to recover lost data & partitions, manage disk capacity, backup Windows and personal data, and fix disk issues on PCs and Servers.
www.diskgenius.com
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7,Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7,win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    pentium g5400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    1x8gb 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
SIW2 said:
Hasleo does exclusions

View attachment 123013

View attachment 123014





Free Windows Backup Software for Windows in 2025 - Hasleo Backup Suite

Hasleo Backup Suite Free is a completely free Windows backup software for Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista and Windows Server that can help you back up and restore the Windows OSs, disks, partitions and files(folders) to protect the security of your Windows and personal data. It is the best free Windows...
www.easyuefi.com www.easyuefi.com

diskgenius has exclusions from partition images, but not whole disk

View attachment 123010




Click the ADD button and browse to any file or folder you want to exclude.

View attachment 123011


Also O&O diskimage last time I looked at it

@Method

MSR partition does not show in windows diskmgmt. It can be seen using diskpart command or a 3d party partitioner such as diskgenius free version

DiskGenius Download Center | Free Download DiskGenius

Free download DiskGenius to recover lost data & partitions, manage disk capacity, backup Windows and personal data, and fix disk issues on PCs and Servers.
www.diskgenius.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for this. Appreciated
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
Last question then I'm going to get a curry for me and my wife!

Is it normal that on a clean install of W11Pro that when I go to power there is no 'sleep' option?

I've only got lock, shutdown and restart.

Why would MS remove the most useful one!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
Method said:
Last question then I'm going to get a curry for me and my wife!

Is it normal that on a clean install of W11Pro that when I go to power there is no 'sleep' option?

I've only got lock, shutdown and restart.

Why would MS remove the most useful one!
Click to expand...

Mmmm, curry!

First, verify that your system supports sleep by opening a command prompt and running "powercfg /a". "Standby (S3)" should be available.

Image1.webp

If your system does support sleep, then search for and open Control Panel. View either by large or small icons. Select Power options. Click on "Choose what the power buttons do". Make sure that the option for sleep is checked.

NOTE: If you need to enable it but the selections on that screen are greyed out, then click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable".

If this is still not working, then I have to wonder if you installed all the drivers for your system, especially stuff like chipset drivers.

Going back to your earlier question regarding the number of partitions, Diskpart does not show the MSR (Microsoft Reserved Partition). You can see this in diskpart if you wanted to verify it. Once you start diskpart issue these commands:

select disk 0
list partition

At this point you should see all the partitions including a partion approx 128MB in size with a type of "Reserved". That is the MSR partition not shown in Disk Management.

Type "exit" to exit out of diskpart.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Kamrui Mini PC, Model CK10
    CPU
    Intel i5-12450H
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP Envy 32
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    1 x 2TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 4TB NVMe SSD
    1 x 4TB 2.5" SSD
    PSU
    120W "Brick"
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Mechanical Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
Method said:
So my 1Tb drive now has a 120gb partition for the OS and Win 11 installed into it. The rest of the drive is given over to a Backup partition 900 odd GB) which I planned to use to store macrium images of the OS drive (and so much smaller than the 900GB partition).
Click to expand...
Are you sure you want your backup images on the same drive? If something happens to that drive you could lose your images. I keep all my backup images on external drives.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Method said:
I was meaning imaging of the OS drive (via Macrium until my recent investigations showed the are going to the dark side and subscription models)
Click to expand...
The free version can still be downloaded and still works great. I have read it can still be downloaded from their web page. I use the Major Geeks site.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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