Solved Windows 11 Clean Install - Unknown "Unallocated" Partition

NavyLCDR · Nov 26, 2023

Wow. Oh what a tangled web we weave in this thread. cereberus has the easy answer.

NavyLCDR · Nov 26, 2023

This is what should have been done:
1. reagentc /disable
2. Delete both the MSR and recovery partitions after C: drive.
3. Extend C: to the end of the disk.
4. reagentc /enable

POLYSIUS · Nov 26, 2023

& set the correct setreimage path to C:\Recovery

But now it get's confusing to Griff79

cereberus · Nov 26, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
This is what should have been done:
1. reagentc /disable
2. Delete both the MSR and recovery partitions after C: drive.
3. Extend C: to the end of the disk.
4. reagentc /enable

That works as well.

Griff79 · Nov 26, 2023

Thank you to all that assisted on this.

The issue has been sorted and this thread is now marked as "Resolved".

Thank you again

NavyLCDR · Nov 26, 2023

Griff79 said:
Thank you to all that assisted on this.

The issue has been sorted and this thread is now marked as "Resolved".

Thank you again

You're welcome!

BamaInArk · Nov 26, 2023

I'm still curious how that unallocated partition ended up there to begin with? I've never had that happen with as many times I've installed Win10 or Win11. In the OP you suggested you "formatted" all the partitions? Did you Format them or Delete them? I usually Delete all the partitions on a used drive before installing the OS.

Griff79 · Nov 26, 2023

BamaInArk said:
I'm still curious how that unallocated partition ended up there to begin with? I've never had that happen with as many times I've installed Win10 or Win11. In the OP you suggested you "formatted" all the partitions? Did you Format them or Delete them? I usually Delete all the partitions on a used drive before installing the OS.

Now that you mentioned this, I believe this is where it came into play.
I only format the partitions and didn't delete them before Clean Installing Windows 11 on the C Drive actually. Now I know for next time.

BamaInArk · Nov 26, 2023

Griff79 said:
Now that you mentioned this, I believe this is where it came into play.
I only format the partitions and didn't delete them before Clean Installing Windows 11 on the C Drive actually. Now I know for next time.

Yeah this is where deleting all the older partitions can be beneficial for a clean install. You're basically allowing the installer to start with a fresh unpartitioned drive so it gets to recreate it's own default partitioning scheme.

POLYSIUS · Nov 26, 2023

You checked
cmd (admin)
reagentc /info
if it is enabled?

Griff79 · Nov 26, 2023

POLYSIUS said:
You checked
cmd (admin)
reagentc /info
if it is enabled?

POLYSIUS · Nov 26, 2023

WOW, it's on partition 2 now!!!!!!!!!!!
That tells me everything!!

But next time you run an Inplacement windows will fix it

NavyLCDR · Nov 26, 2023

POLYSIUS said:
WOW, it's on partition 2 now!!!!!!!!!!!
That tells me everything!!

But next time you run an Inplacement windows will fix it

There is nothing to fix.

POLYSIUS · Nov 26, 2023

That decision is made by WINDOWS

cereberus · Nov 26, 2023

Griff79 said:
View attachment 79080

That is exactly how Windows works following @NavyLCDR's advice if the recovery partition is not used.

So all is fine with your setup now.

The Winre.wim file is in the C:\Recovery folder. You cannot see it with file explorer as it is a protected folder. I use Treesim to view it.

@NavyLCDR is a long standing member of 10 and 11 forums (and possible earlier sister forums). He is one of the most informed users, and always good to follow his advice - hell he has even taught me a trick or two LOL.

Griff79 · Nov 26, 2023

cereberus said:
That is exactly how Windows works following @NavyLCDR's advice if the recovery partition is not used.

So all is fine with your setup now.

The Winre.wim file is in the C:\Recovery folder. You cannot see it with file explorer as it is a protected folder. I use Treesim to view it.

@NavyLCDR is a long standing member of 10 and 11 forums (and possible earlier sister forums). He is one of the most informed users, and always good to follow his advice - hell he has even taught me a trick or two LOL.

To update on all of this:

My system is working 100% now still, even after a few reboots and I ran SFC & DISM to make sure all was in order.

Made a System Image Backup too so i have it at least.

Thanks to @NavyLCDR and @cereberus for the guidance and all those that offered their insights.

ALL is well with my Laptop