Resolve System Reserved Partition on Incorrect Drive: Everything You Need to Know

"System Reserved partition on the wrong drive" occurs when the system partition and the System Reserved partition are not located on the same hard disk. This issue arises due to various reasons, such as incorrect configuration during a Windows installation or a failed update process. In this article, we will delve into the details of this error and provide a solution to rectify it. Before we proceed, let's first clarify what a System Reserved partition is. A System Reserved partition is a small portion of your hard drive that is automatically created by Windows (mainly Windows 7, 8, and 10) during the installation process. It contains essential system files, including the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, which is responsible for managing boot processes. This partition is typically hidden and does not appear in File Explorer. Its primary function is to ensure smooth system booting and recovery operations.

What is a System Reserved Partition?

The reserved system partition stores boot files. A Microsoft system reserved partition is created when the Legacy BIOS and MBR partitioning scheme are used; an EFI system partition is formed when the UEFI BIOS and GPT partitioning scheme are used.

These two are reserved system partitions because they both contain the boot files necessary to load Windows. The absence of this partition would prevent your computer from starting up.

In summary, there are two components:

• Boot Manager and Boot Configuration Data
• The startup files used for BitLocker Drive Encryption

Why Is the System Reserved Partition on the Incorrect Drive?

When Windows is installed on a clean disc, it creates a distinct partition referred to as the System Reserved Partition. This partition houses the Boot Configuration Database, Boot Manager code, Windows Recovery Environment, and the necessary startup items for BitLocker to function.

The System Reserved partition does not have an assigned drive letter, so it can only be viewed through Disk Management or a similar utility. On a computer, the System Reserved partition and the system partition reside on the same disk (typically the C: drive).

However, some users find that after installing the system, the system partition and the reserved system partition are located on different disks. This can occur accidentally during the installation process when the PC has multiple hard drives. So, how do you deal with a Windows System Reserved partition on the wrong drive? Keep reading to find out.

How to Fix System Reserved Partition on the Wrong Drive

You can always relocate the System Reserved partition to another drive. Here are various methods on how to accomplish this: 1. **Using Disk Management**: - Boot into Windows and press `Win + X` to open the context menu, then choose "Disk Management." - Identify the System Reserved partition (usually labeled as "System" or "EFI System Partition"). - Right-click on it and select "Resize/Move Volume." - Shrink the partition to free up space, then create a new partition on the unallocated space. - Move the System Reserved partition to the new unallocated space by right-clicking and selecting "Move Volume." - Follow the prompts to complete the process. 2. **Using Third-Party Partition Tools**: - Download and install a reliable partition manager like tools Partition Master, MiniTool Partition Wizard, or AOMEI Partition Assistant. - Launch the tool and locate the System Reserved partition. - Choose the "Move/Resize Partition" option. - Drag the partition to the desired location or use the "+" and "-" buttons to adjust its size. - Apply the changes and follow the software's instructions to complete the relocation. 3. **Command Prompt (Advanced Users)**: - Boot into Windows using a system repair disc or USB. - Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges. - Type `diskpart` and press Enter to launch the DiskPart utility. - Enter `list disk` to identify your disks, then select the disk containing the System Reserved partition with `select disk `. - Enter `list partition` to find the System Reserved partition (usually Partition 1), then select it with `select partition `. - To move the partition, type `move partition` followed by the target unallocated space's partition number. - Confirm the operation and wait for it to complete. Remember to back up your data before attempting any of these methods, as errors can lead to data loss.

Solution 1: Move System Reserved Partition with Partition Master Tool

Fix 2. Move System Reserved Partition via Disk Management

Solution 1: Move System Reserved Partition using Tool - Partition Master To resolve the issue, you can utilize a tool called Partition Master to relocate the System Reserved Partition. Follow these steps: 1. **Download and Install**: Download Partition Master from a reliable source. Install it on your computer by following the on-screen instructions. 2. **Launch the Application**: Once installed, open Partition Master. The main interface of the program will display all the hard disks and partitions present in your system. 3. **Identify the Partition**: Locate the "System Reserved Partition" in the list of partitions. It is usually small in size and labeled as "System" or "EFI System Partition". 4. **Free Space Availability**: Check if there's enough unallocated space adjacent to the partition you want to move. If not, you may need to resize another partition to create the required free space. 5. **Move the Partition**: Right-click on the System Reserved Partition and select "Move/Resize Partition". A graphical representation of the partition will appear, allowing you to drag the partition's edges to the desired location. 6. **Ensure No Overlap**: Make sure that the moved partition does not overlap with any other partitions. Leave a gap between the System Reserved Partition and other partitions. 7. **Apply Changes**: After adjusting the partition, click on "Apply" or "OK" to commit the changes. The program will warn you about potential risks; confirm the action if you're confident about the move. 8. **Wait for the Process**: The moving process may take some time depending on the size of the partition and your system performance. Do not interrupt the process or turn off your computer during this time. 9. **Reboot**: Once the operation is complete, restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Remember, while Partition Master and similar tools can be helpful, always exercise caution when manipulating partitions, as data loss may occur if not done properly. It's recommended to backup important files before making any changes.

EPM Partition Master is a professional disk management software that enables various disk operations. It allows you to create, replicate, clone, delete, and move partitions.

You can utilize the partition management software, Partition Master, to relocate the System Reserved partition to the same disk as the system drive. By leveraging the Clone feature of this software, you can efficiently move the System Reserved partition to another drive.

Download it and follow the instructions below to utilize it:

Step 1. Select "Clone" from the left menu. Click "Clone Partition" and "Next".

Step 2. Select the source partition and click "Next".

Step 3. Select the target partition and click "Next" to continue.

• If you clone a partition to an existing partition, you should move or back up your data beforehand to prevent it from being overwritten.
• Read the warning message and click "Yes" to confirm.

Step 4. Click Start and wait for the cloning process to finish.

You can refer to this video tutorial on how to clone a partition or the system reserved partition.

Fix 2: Move System Reserved Partition via Disk Management

It's also feasible to copy the system's reserved partition to the system drive to replace the old one. However, this process requires manual execution and carries potential risks. Therefore, it's advisable to take precautions and have a backup plan in case any issues arise.

Please create a System Repair Disk first to prevent operational failures since the System Reserved Partition, managed through Disk Management, contains files crucial for system booting. Additionally, ensure that you have backups of all essential data on your PC, which can be easily moved to the cloud and restored if needed.

Step 1. Open Disk Management:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run utility, then type "diskmgmt.msc" into the Open field, and press OK to launch the Disk Management window.

Step 2. Create New Simple Volume:

Next, identify the disk where you want to place the System Reserved partition. Look for an Unallocated block and right-click on it. From the context menu, select the New Simple Volume option.

Important: If there's no free space available, you can create some by deleting or shrinking an existing partition. Right-click on the drive you want to shrink and select the "Shrink Volume" option.

In the new window, type the value in the box for the option — Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB, and then press Shrink.

Step 3. Open the New Simple Volume Wizard:

After clicking on New Simple Volume, the New Simple Volume Wizard window will open. Proceed by clicking the Next button.

Step 4. Assign Drive Letter

Click the "Next" button again, then select and assign a new drive letter from the drop-down menu. Click "Next" once more and finally click "Finish" to create a New Volume.

Step 5. Transfer the files to the Boot directory

Translate into English: Transfer all data from the previous System Reserved partition to the newly created partition. Ensure that the Boot folder, bootmgr, and BOOTSECT.BAK are present. After removing the drive letter, make the new System Reserved partition bootable.

Step 6. On disc 1, remove the drive letter from the system-reserved partition. Assign the newly created partition as System Reserved.

Step 7. Remove the drive letter from your new System Reserved partition and mark it as active.

Step 8. Restart the PC

Restart Your System: Next, check if your computer can boot up by restarting it. If it boots properly, you can safely delete the old System Reserved partition; if not, use the Windows system repair disc you've prepared to run Startup Repair.

Conclusion

Using the two methods outlined in this article, you can move the System Reserved partition to the desired drive if you find that it is located on the wrong one. You can rectify the issue by copying the system-reserved partition from the system drive and then deleting the original partition.

Remember to create a System Repair Disk first to prevent operational failures, as the reserved partition contains files essential for system booting. Though having the System Reserved Partition on the wrong drive is a common issue, we advise against deleting the original reserved partition, as it might lead to further complications.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial. Please share your thoughts in the comments section, and if you found it helpful, don't forget to share the article with your friends!

FAQ: System Reserved Partition on Incorrect Drive

If you have additional questions regarding the "System Reserved Partition on Wrong Drive," review the frequently asked questions and their corresponding answers provided below:

< strong > 1. Can you move the system-reserved partition to another drive? < /strong > Yes, it is possible to move the system-reserved partition to another drive. However, this process typically requires specialized tools and careful planning, as it involves changing the location of critical system files. Here's a general outline of how it can be done: 1. **Backup**: Before making any changes, ensure that you have a full backup of your important data in case something goes wrong during the process. 2. **Get a third-party partition manager**: Software like tools Partition Master, AOMEI Partition Assistant, or Disk Management alternatives can help you with this task. Download and install one of these tools. 3. **Shrink the target drive**: If you want to move the system-reserved partition to a different drive, you'll need to free up space on that drive by shrinking an existing partition. 4. **Create a new partition**: Using the partition manager, create a new partition on the target drive with enough space to accommodate the system-reserved partition. 5. **Move the system-reserved partition**: With the partition manager, select the system-reserved partition and choose an option to move or copy it to the new partition on the target drive. Be aware that this process may take some time, depending on the size of the partition. 6. **Boot from a Windows installation media**: After moving the partition, you might need to boot from a Windows installation USB or DVD to repair the boot configuration. 7. **Update the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)**: Use the Command Prompt from the Windows installation media to run the `bcdedit` command and update the boot settings to reflect the new location of the system-reserved partition. 8. **Reboot and test**: Restart your computer and make sure it boots correctly from the new location of the system-reserved partition. Remember, this process can be complex and risky, so if you're not comfortable with these steps, consider consulting a professional or seeking additional guidance online.

Yes, you can. Using the Backup and Restore feature, you can迁移系统保留分区到另一块硬盘。要将系统保留分区移动到单独的驱动器，可以使用系统备份和系统还原。

2. Why is the System Reserved partition on a different drive?

If the system-reserved partition is missing, your computer will not boot because it contains crucial boot files required to start Windows. Consequently, it's essential to relocate the system-reserved partition to another disk to prevent this issue from occurring.

3. How do I move the system-reserved partition to a different location?

You can quickly copy and move the system-reserved partition to another drive or disk using the tool Partition Master Free.

Step 1. Copy files from another location or even delete them.

Step 2. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Step 3. Click "Clone Partition" to copy larger HDDs to smaller SSDs, clone SD cards, copy hard drives, and more.