Fix for Low System Reserved Partition on MBR/GPT Disk in Windows 7/8/10

Being confused about what is system reserved partition in Windows 7/8/10 and you are unable to update to the new system? Or are you receiving some error messages due to low system reserved partition space? 

Error Message: We couldn't update system reserved partition or Windows 10 couldn't be installed.

The reason for the error message:

The system reserved partition is created during the Windows installation process, which is about 100MB in Windows 7, 350MB in Windows 8, and 500MB in Windows 10. When too many programs are written to the system partition, there is no enough space for upgrading the SRP. If you want to figure out this issue, you have to extend the system partition drive.

Here you'll be able to extend system reserved partition and fix low system reserved partition issues in Windows 7/8/10 on GPT/MBR disk by following two parts.

You may think this is not possible, follow and find out how to fix low system reserved partition error and expand your system partition with ease now.

Part 1: Backup all computer data

It's highly recommended all Windows uses both MBR and GPT disk users to back up their important data including Windows system before trying methods to extend system reserved partition in Windows 10/8/7 etc.

A free Windows backup software may help you to easily backup all important Windows data or system with simple steps. You can Google Qiling Backup and then free download this software to directly backup all Windows data then.

Part 2: Extend system reserved partition in Windows 7/8/10

Usually, the system reserved partition will not make any big problems, but it still works as an important role for the Windows system to run smoothly. But when the system reserved partition has low space error occurs, serious problems would happen to the Windows system. 
Therefore, it's highly recommended for users to do not make any changes to the system reserved partition but to keep the size of the partition at 100MB or so. 

It's also suggested that users should check the system reserved partition usage situations regularly. However, problems may still happen, and low system reserved partition space issue is a top one. So how to fix it? Here below, we'll offer you an effective method to extend the system reserved partition for both MBR disk users and GPT users.

For MBR users: extend system reserved partition

If you are an MBR disk user with low system reserved partition space problem, you can only shrink volume or add a mirror to the system reserved partition. No access can be done to extend it.

Here we recommend you to try processional partition manager software - Qiling Partition Master which will help you effortlessly extend the MBR disk system reserved partition:

Step 1. Backup the merged partition with file backup mode

1. Click "File backup" on the main window.

2. Choose the specific files that you want to backup. click "Proceed" to backup files.

Step 2. Delete the merged partition.

Step 3. Extend the partition.

1. Click on the partition and select "Resize/Move" in "Disk management" page.

2. Drag the partition end into the unallocated space so to add it to the partition. And click "Proceed" to start.

Step 4. Restore the backup to the extended partition.

 

Then you have successfully extended system reserved partition with simple clicks. And you can view it at the Disk Management under Windows 10/8/7 etc.

For GPT disk users: extend system reserved partition

Things may become more complicated with the GPT disk to extend the system reserved partition. For protecting system security, the system reserved partition in GPT disk is usually marked as EFI system partition, and it's usually invisible to users. This will help to avoid some unexpected problems.

However, this may prevent users from adjusting or resizing system reserved partition in Windows 10/8/7. Here you may follow the recommended solutions below to try whether it fixes the problem or not:

Method 1. Extend system reserved partition with Qiling Partition Master

Please follow the same steps offered for MBR users to extend the system reserved partition. But there are some tips that you should keep notified:

• If Qiling Partition Master cannot detect the GPT disk system reserved partition, it cannot help to extend the space;
• If the system reserved partition is detected as other in the file system and none in the system status, Qiling Partition Master will not be able to extend or add space to the system reserved partition.

Method 2. Search for other solutions to fix low system reserved partition problem

If you do not want to download the third-party tool to fix the low system reserved partition problem and have no stranger to CMD, we'd like to try to search for other solutions:

• Using Command Promptto resize or extend system reserved partition;

Resize system reserved partition in Windows 10:

1. Search cmd on the search bar. Right-click the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

2. Input mountvol y: /s> Enter

It will add Y: drive letter to access the system partition.

3. Type Y: and press Enter. And then type cd EFI\Microsoft\Boot\Fonts to the Fonts folder.

4. Type del *.* to delete the font files. Then, press Y and Enter to continue.

Increase system reserved partition in Windows 7/8:

1. Search cmd > Right-click the Command Prompt > choose Run as Administrator.

2. Type mountvol y: /s> Enter

This will add Y: drive letter to access the system partition.

3. Type taskkill /imexplorer.exe/f > Enter > explorer.exe > Enter > reboot File Explorer as Admin mode

4. Open File Explorer > type Y: \ EFI \ Microsoft \ Boot \ > Enter

5. Choose language folders to delete. > restart device

• Try some other partition manager software;
• Delete system reserved partition (some users tired but not recommended).

Related Articles

• How to Clone 1TB HDD to 2TB SSD Without Reinstalling on Windows 11/10/8/7
• Shred vs. Delete. What is the Difference?
• How to Create EXT2/EXT3 Based Linux Partition from Windows
• How to Resize Partition Using GParted and Qiling Partition Master