How to Create and Delete EFI System Partition in Windows 11/10/8/7

2023-11-02 18:01:20
78821 views, 3 min read
Summary

In this post, you'll learn "what is EFI system partition". And we're going to talk about how to delete and create EFI system partition on Windows 11/10, and will present you the solution to recover lost data from EFI system partition.

interface of How to Create and Delete EFI System Partition in Windows 11/10/8/7

What is EFI System Partition?

The EFI System Partition (ESP) is a type of partition on a Windows computer that creates several regions on the PC’s hard disk so that information stored on the different partitions can be managed separately by the Windows operating system.

Windows computer uses it because they contain the following four main components:

Boot loaders;

Device drivers;

System utilities;

Data files. 

The EFI is most used by systems that adhere to the Unified Extensive Firmware Interface (UEFI). The UEFI firmware works during the process of booting a computer to load files stored on the ESP in order to start installed operating system and system utilities. 

It’s the function of the boot loaders to ensure that all the necessary files and utilities have been booted before the completion of the booting sequence.The ESP ensures that all errors encountered during system booting phase are resolved. It does this by working with the boot loader to offer users good experiences during system startup.

Part 1. How Do I Know My EFI Partition?

If there's a 100MB system reserved partition, then it means that you don't have an EFI partition. If you have an EFI partition, both Disk Management and dispart will tell you that.

Part 2. How to Delete EFI System Partition (ESP) in Windows

2.1 Is It Safe to Delete EFI System Partition?

Deleting an EFI partition is risky. As we mentioned in the beginning of the post, the EFI partition seems like an interface for the computer to boot Windows off. Your computer won't be able to boot into Windows without the EFI partition. And it will cause the installed system unbootable after deleting the EFI partition. But if you persist in deleting the EFI partition, keep these in mind:

  • 1. Don't do anything to the EFI partition if you want your Windows run smoothly.

  • 2. You can directly reinstall the OS if you want to delete the EFI partition and install a new Windows OS.

  • 3. If you have two OS installed on your PC and want to delete the ESP, follow the steps below in 2.2.

2.2 How to Delete EFI System Partition (ESP) in Windows

EFI system partition is very important in booting the installed OS and system utilities of the hard disk. However, if you’re using a hard disk with EFI system partitions created for the macOS, and you now want to install Windows to replace macOS, then you need to delete the old EFI system partition and create a new one for Windows. 

Here is how to delete EFI system partition:

First, you need to identify the disk where the EFI partition is located.

  • Open Disk Management by pressing "Windows key + R". Type "diskmgmt.msc" and press "Enter".

  • In Disk Management, locate the EFI system partition, and close the disk management.


Then, delete the EFI partition with DISKPART tool:

  • Open the elevated command prompt by right-clicking on the "Start" menu. From the pop-up menu, choose "Command Prompt (Admin)".

  • Give each of the following commands and click "Enter": diskpart > list disk > select disk number > clean.

Once the cleaning process is complete, you’ll get a notification saying: "DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk". Click "exit" to close the DiskPart tool, and then close the command window.

Part 3. How to Create EFI System Partition (ESP)

Step 1. Boot your PC with Windows installation media. Then, press "Shift + f10" on the first screen to launch the Command Prompt. 

Step 2. Run the following commands and click enter at the end:

  • Diskpart

  • List disk

  • Select disk

  • List partition

  • Create partition efi

  • Format quick fs=fat32

  • List partition

  • List volume (i.e. the volume letter where the Windows OS is installed)

  • Exit

  • bcdboot X:/windows (Replace "X" with the Volume letter of the Windows OS partition).

Step 3. Now, you can remove the Windows installation media and restart your PC.

Part 4. How to Recover Lost Data from EFI System Partition

iMyFone AnyRecover is the right tool for recovering data lost in your Windows or Mac PC during EFI system partition. This tool can be of immeasurable assistance in helping you recover files from internal and external hard drives, removable USB flash drives, smartphones, media device players, camcorders, memory cards, and digital cameras.

anyrecover review of how to create and delete efi system oartition in windows

Try It Free
product-anyrecover

Key Features:

  • File Recovery: Recover 1000 files data from lost EFI system partitions ; recycle bin, formatted disk, external flash drives, etc.
  • Preview Function: The software offers a preview function that allows users to preview recoverable data before they make any purchases.
  • Quick Scan and Deep Scan: Quick Scan is used for scanning for recently deleted files, while Deep Scan is used for scanning for more difficult to recover files.
  • Support almost all secenarios that you data lost
  • User-friendly Interface: it is easy for users to navigate and recover lost files.
  • 100% Secure download and usage
  • All-in- one compatibility: Windows&Mac&Android and iPhone operating systems
Try It Free

Steps to recover lost data:

Step 1. Download and install AnyRecover. Run it and select a disk under the "I can't find my partitions" tab.

select location partition

Step 2. Select the partition that you have lost data, and click "Scan".

Scan the Location

Step 3. It will begin an all-round scanning process. It will take some miniutes for scanning process.

Scan the Location

Step 4. When the scanning is completed, all files will be listed out in file types and folders. You can preview lost files. Then select the lost data you want to recover by clicking "Recover" button.

Preview and Recover

tipsTip

Do NOT save recovered data to the location where you have lost data.

Conclusion

creating and deleting the EFI System Partition (ESP) in Windows 11/10/8/7 is a crucial task for managing system boot processes. Proper understanding and caution are necessary during both the creation and deletion processes to ensure the stability and functionality of the operating system. By follow the methods mentioned above, you can easily fix the problem like How to Create and Delete EFI System Partition in Windows?

Related Articles:

Taylor Clark
Taylor Clark
(Click to rate this post) Generally rated 4.9 (122 participated)
success

Rated successfully!

tips

You have already rated this article, please do not repeat scoring!

Time Limited Offer
for All Products

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Copied!
GETBACK2COPY
Copy the coupon code and use it at checkout
Read guide to learn how to use coupon. Just 3 simple steps and save big!

Not valid with other discount *

No,thanks Use Coupon Now