Which Partitions Do I Need In Windows 8?

pacificredhawk

New Member
Messages
2
Hello everyone,

I have Windows 8.1 64 bit and I wanted to see if I have any extra partitions from a Ubuntu dual boot that I have since uninstalled.

Here are my current partitions. My system is a Lenovo.
Capture.JPG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Well, technically, you do not NEED any partitions.
That said, there is surely at least 1 recovery partition, and it would be best to keep that.(those?)...

At the very least, those 100% empty ones could surely be merged...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
As this is a OEM manufacturer's PC with Pre-installed Windows 8, which has been updated to Windows 8.1.

You need all the Partitions

Partition 1
Partition 2
Partition 3
Partition 4 Hidden in DM
Partition 5 OS
Partition 6 The new Windows 8.1 Repair Tool Partition.
Partition 7 Lenovo Drivers Store.
Partition 8 Lenovo Recovery Partition.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Seriously...??? The top 5 are completely empty, the free space matches the capacity.
I'm not saying you're wrong, but it does seem ridiculous.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Hidden partitions show as empty in DM.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Wow... So many partitions let me confused. I hate pre-installed computers ! It's much better when you choose how things work !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
You can have up to 128 partitions on one HDD.

120 to go.:D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Most of the partitions may show as empty but don't believe it. As the partitions were created by the OEM for OEM use they do not necessarily follow Windows file system standards. They typically contain data in a private form known only to the OEM.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
No kidding. Well, I stand corrected.
Is there any reason one could not simply reformat the hard drive and rid yerself of all that nonsense...???
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Let us assume for the moment that an OEM wished to store the recovery data in the context of a file system that Windows could understand. What file system could be used? For use on a hard drive Windows 7 understands 3 file systems: FAT 16, FAT 32, and NTFS. FAT 16 is limited to a maximum size of 4 GB so that is out. FAT 32 is limited to a maximum file size of 4 GB so multiple files would be needed. NTFS would work but it is a complex file system with considerable overhead, not to mention the software necessary to read it. You can't use the Windows software because that won't work unless Windows is running.

Why bother with all of that?
All that is needed is the raw recovery data and the relatively simple software to read it. No need for a file system at all. From the OEMs point of view this is a win win situation. The only downside is that many users will see what is apparently an empty partition and be tempted to delete it. But what can you do?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Most of the partitions may show as empty but don't believe it. As the partitions were created by the OEM for OEM use they do not necessarily follow Windows file system standards. They typically contain data in a private form known only to the OEM.

True, however I had an Ubuntu partition a while back. So one or two of them could be from that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    0i812
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4770K LGA1150
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    Corsair 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3 CMY32GX3M4A1866C9 1866MH
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 x Crappy GeForce GT 640 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    I haz lollies ..
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x LG / 2 x Samsung 21 Inch
    Screen Resolution
    Crispy
    Hard Drives
    2 x Samsung 250GB SSD 840 EVO (OS / Other)
    1 x Kingston 120G HyperX SSD (Swap)
    3 x Seagate SATA III 2TB Barracuda (Data Drives)
    1 x Seagate SATA III 1TB Barracuda (Media to XBox)
    1 x W/Digital SATA II 300G VelociRaptor (Image)
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500w
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 White Full Tower
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech G19
    Mouse
    Logitech G700 / Logitech T650 Touchpad Thingy
    Internet Speed
    ADSL 2+ (Australian version ... lol)
    Browser
    All of them
    Antivirus
    Nortons IS
    Other Info
    This one time at band camp ...
Most of the partitions may show as empty but don't believe it. As the partitions were created by the OEM for OEM use they do not necessarily follow Windows file system standards. They typically contain data in a private form known only to the OEM.

True, however I had an Ubuntu partition a while back. So one or two of them could be from that.
None of the partitions are Ubuntu.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Maybe for a computer with a SSD, but I wouldn't mind such solution for a magnetic disk based rig. In traditional disks (HDD) the head needs to move from one area to another when data in two partitions is accessed at the same time, what slows down the data transfer speed. For virtualization with HDDs, for example, it's better to keep the VDISK in the host partition for a better disk access transition between the host and guest. I know that the those hidden partitions aren't used unless you need to restore your system, so no pain at all, but anyways there are ways of keeping recovery tools and backup images in one or two partitions only, so why not to simplify !

:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
I am pragmatic. I make an image and keep the EFI partition and C. The rest is for the birds. I am sure theog will not agree, lol.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
If you want to keep the ability to recover your system after some catastrophic event, keep the partitions as Theog suggests.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
Here are my current partitions. My system is a Lenovo.

Don't delete any partitions! Your hard disk does not have any unnecessary partitions. I have a Lenovo laptop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
If you want to see what is in the partitions; go to Control panel > Folder options > View tab > Click on : show hidden files, folders, and drives. > Click : Apply > OK

Be sure you do the reverse order to hide them again to be safe.

original
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Z710 #59400485
    CPU
    i7-4700MQ
    Motherboard
    LENOVO Durian 7A1
    Memory
    8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel® HD Graphics 4600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" FHD LED Glossy Wedge
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB 5400 RPM

    WDC WD10JPCX-24UE4T0
    PSU
    4 Cell 41 Watt Hour Lithium-Ion
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Air in, Air out.
    Keyboard
    Logitech usb
    Mouse
    M$ Arc
    Internet Speed
    60 down- 25 up
    Browser
    Firefox - newest
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    MBAM Pro, SAS Pro, Revo Pro.
If you want to keep the ability to recover your system after some catastrophic event, keep the partitions as Theog suggests.

Or restore an image - a LOT easier.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I am pragmatic. I make an image and keep the EFI partition and C. The rest is for the birds. I am sure theog will not agree, lol.

50/50 with imaging.

With a clean install of Windows 8.1 x64, you can get down to three partitions, using the Windows 7 x64 partition lay-out.

Diskpart
Select disk 0
Clean
Convert gpt
Create partition efi size=200
Assign letter=s
Format quick fs=FAT32
Create partition msr size=128
Create partition primary
Assign letter=c
Format quick fs=NTFS

UP8-1-007.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
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