Windows 7: Active partition changing safety

Cabinhook · 04 Dec 2012

I have a few niggly windows 7 system problems unable to fix. I was doing a disc management check and there are 2 partitions, one for system recovery and the usual C disc partition with everything on it. I noticed that the recovery partition is marked as the active one. Is that correct or is it possible to change to the C drive as the active one without stuffing up. If things did go astray in changing it over how would I recover it again. The screen capture shows the status, thanks Jeff

Night Hawk · 04 Dec 2012

You want the C primary as the one seen as being active. Somehow the roles got switched there!

There are three methods to see the C primary remarked again explained in one guide for this to look over. One requires a 3rd party drive partitioning program like Partition Wizard. Partition - Mark as Active

gregrocker · 05 Dec 2012

Some OEM's mark Recovery active so it will boot from its hotkey. Unless you changed it then I'd leave it alone.

However if you decide to do what most tech enthusiasts do and get the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 then you can make your Recovery disks first and delete all partitions during the reinstall.

Layback Bear · 05 Dec 2012

I noticed that the recovery partition is empty. 100% free space. Is that normal.

Cabinhook · 05 Dec 2012

Thanks, I'm not too computer savvy but I know how to mark the C drive as active but if the machine wont boot afterwards where do I go from there.

Cabinhook · 05 Dec 2012

yes I thought that it was strange also that the recovery partition was 100% free, how can that be ?

gregrocker · 05 Dec 2012

Recovery files are hidden. There's at least the boot files there. You can see them by unhiding System and Hidden files in Control Panel>Folder Options>View.

Why do you want to change the boot partition to C? You might be removing Recovery's ability to boot when needed. Or did you change the Active flag to Recovery and wish to undo it now?

If you want to get rid of the Recovery Partition then make the Recovery disks first and we will give you the exact steps.

Otherwise you are making trouble for yourself for what reason?

Cabinhook · 05 Dec 2012

With my limited know how I naturally thought that C should be the main drive and that the recovery partition is just for that purpose only. I have had some niggly problems ie backup and restore no good, no info in the boot section of msconfig, slow boot and shutdown, plus hibernation stopped working

gregrocker · 05 Dec 2012

Have you considered getting the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
without the corrupting factory bloatware and duplicate utilties which have better versions built into Windows 7? Most tech enthusiasts do this.

At least I would Clean Up Factory Bloatware to regain some performance and get you more familar with Windows 7, as well as these steps to Optimize Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums.

Then if any problems persist try working through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

Layback Bear · 05 Dec 2012

Thanks for the info Greg.

Windows 7: Active partition changing safety

Active partition changing safety problems?