Solved No recovery partition after a clean install of windows 8.1

riton72

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Hello,

I built up a new PC featuring a brand new SSD (i.e fully unallocated). Then, I made a clean install of Windows 8.1 pro (64bits) using an ISO DVD. Using Windows disk management tool after the install, I can see that only two partitions have been created: one System partition in NTFS (350MB) and the remaining of the SSD is the C: partition while I was expecting a third one : a recovery partition. Of course, I do not remember a prompt during the install to ask whether I want a recovery parttion or not.

Is it normal ?
Is a recovery partition useful knowing I have the install DVD ?
If the recovery partition has some advantages, is there a way to create it after the install is completed ?


Thanks in advance for your help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro (64bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    home assembly
    CPU
    core i5-4570
    Motherboard
    gigabyte B85M-HD3
    Memory
    Kingston HyperX 2x4Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    IGP intel HD4600
Hello,

I built up a new PC featuring a brand new SSD (i.e fully unallocated). Then, I made a clean install of Windows 8.1 pro (64bits) using an ISO DVD. Using Windows disk management tool after the install, I can see that only two partitions have been created: one System partition in NTFS (350MB) and the remaining of the SSD is the C: partition while I was expecting a third one : a recovery partition. Of course, I do not remember a prompt during the install to ask whether I want a recovery parttion or not.

Is it normal ?
Is a recovery partition useful knowing I have the install DVD ?
If the recovery partition has some advantages, is there a way to create it after the install is completed ?


Thanks in advance for your help.

Looks to me like you made a MBR installation, A UEIF GPT install would have created 4 partitions one of which would have been recovery. Follow the guides for a UEIF install closely and you'll end up with a Recovery partition
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
Thanks Theog and Clintlgm for these quick answers.
I was not expecting that my recovery partition issue was related to a MBR vs UEFI GPT install. I confirm my instal is a MBR one but it was not my intention I was shooting for a UEFI GPT install. I read the tutorial and I do not really know why I ended up with a MBR install but one issue i found out is that my DVD drive is not recognized by the UEFI firmware of the mobo as UEFI (the UEFI prefix is not there in front the DVD drive in the Boot menu). I made a post about on Gigabyte french forum (I am french) 3 days ago but I got no answer so far. If I would find a way to have my DVD drive (an asus one) recognize as UEFI capable by the UEFI firmware, I will reinstall but for the time being I am stuck with this issue; Do you have any idea that can help me to figure out what's happened ?
Note: I configured my UEFI firmware to allow UEFI and MBR legacy boot with UEFI first
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro (64bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    home assembly
    CPU
    core i5-4570
    Motherboard
    gigabyte B85M-HD3
    Memory
    Kingston HyperX 2x4Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    IGP intel HD4600
Where do you buy your Windows 8 x64 DVD from?
 

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
Thanks Theog and Clintlgm for these quick answers.
I was not expecting that my recovery partition issue was related to a MBR vs UEFI GPT install. I confirm my instal is a MBR one but it was not my intention I was shooting for a UEFI GPT install. I read the tutorial and I do not really know why I ended up with a MBR install but one issue i found out is that my DVD drive is not recognized by the UEFI firmware of the mobo as UEFI (the UEFI prefix is not there in front the DVD drive in the Boot menu). I made a post about on Gigabyte french forum (I am french) 3 days ago but I got no answer so far. If I would find a way to have my DVD drive (an asus one) recognize as UEFI capable by the UEFI firmware, I will reinstall but for the time being I am stuck with this issue; Do you have any idea that can help me to figure out what's happened ?
Note: I configured my UEFI firmware to allow UEFI and MBR legacy boot with UEFI first


Well it works better using a USB Thumb drive to install, Rufus can create this for you from your DVD. Then you must insure that your USB, Set up for UEIF GPT, Boots to the UEIF USB. you will actually see both USB Boot And UEIF USB boot, Not sure how you get a boot menu for you computer. on mine I just Spammed the Esc Key which brought up a Boot Menu! Then since you now have your disk set up as MBR you will have to run a command prompt F10 at the first install window will bring it up, and use diskpart to Clean and convert your disk to GPT. If you have more than 1 disk installed I recommend that you remove all but the disk you want to install too. Rufus set up.png
Diskpart set up.pngBoot manager.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
and use diskpart to Clean and convert your disk to GPT

Best to use CLEAN only, or make all partitions.

UP8-1-009.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
Thanks for your very comprehensive advices.
Just to double check: should I use Diskpart to clean my SSD before launching the new install or launch the new install first and then manage to get into a command prompt window to execute Diskpart ? I would prefer the former as the F10 does not work for me (but if I press the Shift key while restarting then my PC restart and go in a debug menu where I can choose to launch a command prompt window.
I am ready to give a try to the process you have described but before I have one more sanity check question: after the install (MBR style then), my windows license was activated so if I reinstall windows following your process in UEFI with my disk converted to GPT will my windows license activate again without any issue ?
@Theog: I bough my windows 8.1 pro license at the microsoft online store here:Acheter Windows | Microsoft Store France

Note: I faced another issue during my install related to wireless network config that I fixed but I still find it odd so I will do a new post in the networking section to share my experience and check if someone can explain the problem I faced.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro (64bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    home assembly
    CPU
    core i5-4570
    Motherboard
    gigabyte B85M-HD3
    Memory
    Kingston HyperX 2x4Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    IGP intel HD4600

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
This post for a quick feedback.
I followed your indications to re-instal my system and I got the expected result. Thanks !
Btw: I finally received an answer from gigabyte support indicating it is not possible to do a UEFI install from a DVD drive with an ISO disk it is mandatory to install from a USB stick to get an install in UEFI mode. I really do not understand such restrcition but by experience seems really the case.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro (64bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    home assembly
    CPU
    core i5-4570
    Motherboard
    gigabyte B85M-HD3
    Memory
    Kingston HyperX 2x4Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    IGP intel HD4600
answer from gigabyte support indicating it is not possible to do a UEFI install from a DVD drive with an ISO disk

You can install in UEFI mode from a DVD of Windows 7, 8, & 8.1. (Also Linux)

Windows 8 Downgrade-006 SB for posting.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
Hi Theog. Sorry for this late feedback I missed your lastest post.
Indeed, I have similar to your picture dual entries in my UEFI boot menu (I mean one with the UEFI prefix and one without) when I use a USB key to boot but I do not have it for my DVD drive. Refering to my previous post, I got an answer from Gigabyte support indicating it is not possible to do an UEFI install from a DVD drive and recommending instead to install from a USB key. It is what I made following the indication given in this thread to create a bootable USB key from an ISO file using Rufus software.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 pro (64bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    home assembly
    CPU
    core i5-4570
    Motherboard
    gigabyte B85M-HD3
    Memory
    Kingston HyperX 2x4Go
    Graphics Card(s)
    IGP intel HD4600
Is it normal ?

Yes

Is a recovery partition useful knowing I have the install DVD ?

Yes, I have created one. Easier to do a repair or complete reinstall direct from HD. However, it is not essential if you have the dvd.

If the recovery partition has some advantages, is there a way to create it after the install is completed ?

Yes, copy the contents of the install dvd onto a partition ( a different HD is preferable, if you have one, else the same HD if not ) and point at it with reagentc /setosimage command.
If you want to get fancy, you can use an updated install.wim instead of the bog standard one. Just the same as we do in win7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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