My D:Recovery is showing 17.2GB usage out of 19.1GB installed. Can I delete data I don't need?

[pappay]

I noticed a few days ago that my D:Recovery drive was showing 17.Gb used out of 19.1GB installed. On reflection I remembered copying a couple of pics, maybe 2mb, from Downloads to my Pictures library (10GB size). I suddenly noticed that a huge multiGB transfer was taking place. Don't know from where to where, but I closed it down using 'X'. I wonder if perhaps my Pics folder is being stored as part of Recovery, and I'd like to delete it. I don't need the Recovery option for these files, I back them up on an external drive. How can I access D:Recovery to delete them, the only Properties showing in 😧 is WinRE at 244mb?

[Chimney_83]

Greetings @pappay, 

Thanks for the post. 

I understand that you are looking to know the purpose of the recovery partition on your computer. 

Will be glad to assist you. 

Are you facing any issues with your computer? 

The recovery partition is where a copy of your operating system which can be used to repair your computer. Personally, I would not store any personal files there or tamper the partition.

Please refer to this HP Article for assistance. 

Recovery manager is a life saver. 

Hope this helped. 

[pappay]

Hello @Chimney_83.  Thanks for your reply. I may have explained my problem badly. I understand the purpose and function of the D:Recovery drive. My problem is that I may have accidentally copied a huge folder into the drive, and I would like to know how to see what is in the drive, and if this huge folder is there, how to delete it. There is 17.2 Gb of data in there, but File Explorer shows only 3 files of 1Kb each and a WinRE folder of 244 MB. 

So how can I view the contents of the drive, in which approx. 17GB is not accounted for?

I would appreciate any help you can offer

Thanks

Iain

[Photoray002 · Accepted solution]

Hello @pappay

According to your specs, your HP Pavilion 15-p077sa came with Windows 8.1 and you apparently upgraded to Windows 10, correct?

If so, I assume  you have never wiped the drive and clean installed Windows 10 since then. Is this also correct?

If so, I think you are looking at the old HP recovery partition for 8.1. That partition wont do you any good anymore as access to it was broken with the upgrade. If you need to reinstall Windows 10, you would simply use the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to do so.

You can safely delete that old recovery partition, then reallocate the space to the C drive.

You should be able to do so from disk management, or use one of the many tools online to manage your partitions like MiniTool Partition Wizard or EaseUS Partition Master.

As a precaution, I always recommend you backup any important files to another drive before doing anything.

[pappay]

Hello @Photoray002, thank you for your reply. What you are saying makes sense, but I need to get confirmation of the upgrade process from my ex-boss who bought the laptop originally then passed it on to me to continue work she had started. I've sent her a message, but the time difference between UK and Australia where she now lives, could cause a bit of a delay. Assuming she confirms your premise and can provide licence details etc., I should be able to sort it from there.

Thank you so much.

Regards

Iain

[Photoray002]

Okay, and Ill give you a tip on the licensing with Windows and your HP, since you mentioned it.

Whether its been upgraded only or clean installed afterward, the licensing is already registered on Microsoft's servers.

If you clean install Windows 10 now, it will automatically activate the key when it firsts connects to the internet and updates. No need to type in a key anymore since its an OEM.

And if you ever do actually clean re-install Windows 10, you will want to go to the HP website and download the drivers to install from here... Link

It certainly wont hurt anything to re-install Windows at anytime if you feel you have something viral, or just want to clean the system up. Some people do this anyway annually for various reasons.

If you have anymore questions about your HP system, feel free to ask us anytime.

Thanks.