Can I delete new 5GB HP_Tools partition after successful BIOS update?

[Replytoken]

Hi,

Upon the request of the HP Support Assistant, I updated my BIOS tonight.  The update was successful, but the software also created a new 5GB 😧 partition entitled HP_Tools.  This partition is in addition to the unnamed 100MB one that has always been present along side of my primary C:  partition.  The new 😧 partiton one HP folder with two BIOS folders in it - BIOS and BiosUpdate.  Since the update was successful, can I safely delete this 5GB partiton and regain that space in my primary C: drive?  This partiton did not exist until I flashed the BIOS tonight, so can I assume that since it was not initially present on my machine when I purchased it, that it's current presence is not essential.  Or is it now esential and should be left alone?  5GB is not exactly small, so I would like to recover the spce if I can.

Thanks,

--Ken

[Grzwacz]

Hi

The HP_Tools partition contains diagnostics and BIOS recovery options.

I would not remove this partition.

Tom

[Replytoken]

Thank you for the reply, Tom.  What I am still trying to understand is if this is necessary if the BIOS update was successful?  At present, there are no ohter tools present in the partition.  And, if is a necessary partition, why was it not present when I purchased the machine, and how is it different fromt he unlabeled 100MB partition?  5GB is a lot of space to suddenly give up from the primary drive, and I wanted to make sure that this partiton was not accidentially keptafter the update was successful when it should have been removed.

Thanks,

--Ken

[Grzwacz]

Hi Ken

5GB's is unusually large.

HP Hardware Diagnostics is around 2GB's.

It's your call on removing this partition.

I would not mess with it if it was my system.

It may save your bacon at a future point in time.

Tom

[Replytoken]

Yes, 5GB is large.  If it was under 1 GB, I would not even pay much attention (although that is larger than the 100MB partition that came with the machine.  If I remember correctly, I did an update a while ago, and it had also created a partition.  While I remember having to remove it manually, I do not recall it being essential.  That is why I was hoping for a more definitive answer.  I thought the last one was supposed to go away on its own, and that is partially why I am asking about this one.

--Ken

[Grzwacz]

Hi Ken

I am pretty sure you will not be able to recover the BIOS if you remove this partition.

Again, your option.

Tom

[Replytoken]

I do hear your advice (because if I did not, I do not think we would be having this discussion  ).  But now that you mention it, can a BIOS go bad after a successful installation?  I cannot recall this ever happening on any machine I have owned the past 20 years I have been using Wintel machines.  And, if the BIOS does need to be recovered,  why did HP not have this partition when version N02_0216 (the previous version listed) was installed?  I do not recall this being the initial BIOS when I received the machine in 2016.  Or was this being handled by the 100MB unnammed partition?

--Ken

[Grzwacz]

Hi Ken

The 100MB partition is a Windows partition.

HP uses the Tools partition for diagnostics and BIOS recovery.

Tom

[Replytoken]

Bad assumption on my part.  I thought that was an HP partition.  So, if that is the case, does HP normally install a partition (hopefully smaller than 5GB) on its machines as they head out the door?  Please forgive the long line of questioning.  I am not questioning your replys; I am trying to lear about this partition and how HP implements it.  I had Lenovo machines for years, and they had their own way of doing things.  I am just trying to better understand this part of HP's disgnostic software (as they seem to have installed a number of other programs on my machine that are not present on my ProDesk at work.  And I greatly appreciate your wisdom.

Thanks again,

--Ken

[Grzwacz]

Hi Ken

You are welcome.

A 5GB HP_Tools partition is the largest I have ever seen on any HP systems I have worked with.

I can only tell you this partition may be needed to recover your PC if a BIOS update fails or if you need to run HP diagnostics at some point in the future.

I don't work for HP and am expressing my opinions based on anecdotal experience.

Contact HP Support for more information.

Tom