PharmDLy

Q: Installed Windows, OSXRESERVED partition still exists

So basically, I used Bootcamp in order to install Windows 8.1 onto my MacBook Pro. I also upgraded to Windows 10, but not sure if that has anything to do with the reason why it's not registering that Windows is installed? I installed the Bootcamp software onto Windows 10 too. But when I look at my partitions, the OSXRESERVED partition still exists. How am I suppose to remove it? I think that I read somewhere that removing it would also prevent the Windows partition to boot up as well.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Oct 18, 2015 6:37 PM

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Q: Installed Windows, OSXRESERVED partition still exists

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  • by jndupuis1,

    jndupuis1 jndupuis1 Oct 18, 2015 6:43 PM in response to PharmDLy
    Level 2 (470 points)
    Oct 18, 2015 6:43 PM in response to PharmDLy

    This small partition roughly (500 mb) is for Windows EFI system reserved files and OS X system reserved. Do Not Delete!!

     

    Cheers!!

  • by PharmDLy,

    PharmDLy PharmDLy Oct 18, 2015 7:38 PM in response to jndupuis1
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Oct 18, 2015 7:38 PM in response to jndupuis1

    Thanks for the quick reply.

     

    You said it was roughly about 500mb? My partition is about 8gb!

  • by JTeb,

    JTeb JTeb Nov 4, 2015 1:22 AM in response to PharmDLy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 4, 2015 1:22 AM in response to PharmDLy

    I'm also getting the same problem, OSX 10.11 on a new mid-2015 iMac.

     

    Installed Windows 8.1 with Bootcamp, followed Apple's Upgrading to Windows 10 instructions, then upgraded to Windows 10, and the 8GB OSXRESERVED partition is still there, so maybe this issue is caused by upgrading to Win 10 from 8.1?

     

    I'd rather install Windows 10 without having to install 8.1, but Microsoft doesn't give you a serial number when you upgrade, so it's not possible. But I think that's a rant for another time and place

  • by jndupuis1,

    jndupuis1 jndupuis1 Nov 4, 2015 5:37 PM in response to JTeb
    Level 2 (470 points)
    Nov 4, 2015 5:37 PM in response to JTeb

    Hi,

    You successfully upgraded to Windows 10. No product key necessary. Go to Microsoft and download Media Creation Tool. The tool will allow download of Windows 10 ISO or Upgrade for licensed 7 and 8 Users. Your Windows 10 reports "Activated" it's yours for your Mac - Non Transferrable the MS License is clear. If approached with a Product Key screen during install, simply click "Skip" or "Do This Later".  Windows 10 does create a System Reserved Partition. Just let it. Enjoy!!

     

    Cheers!!

  • by j-en,

    j-en j-en Nov 22, 2015 5:14 PM in response to JTeb
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 22, 2015 5:14 PM in response to JTeb

    Hi I also have the same issue

    Installed Windows 8.1 Pro through bootcamp but didn't upgrade to Windows 10 and OSXRESERVED is still there taking up 8g.

    So I really don't think it's an issue with upgrading to 10.

     

    Really hope someone figures this out though because it would be a real pain to have to reinstall.

  • by jndupuis1,

    jndupuis1 jndupuis1 Nov 23, 2015 7:24 PM in response to j-en
    Level 2 (470 points)
    Nov 23, 2015 7:24 PM in response to j-en

    Hi,

    These two links may shed some light as to what OSXRESERVED is for with Windows 8.1 and 10. In El Capitan on newer Macs it seems that the next boot cycle puts the partition back into core storage. So this OSXRESERVED is where your Windows Installation media resides. So you can just let it be. Good reads by the way.

     

    http://blog.twocanoes.com/post/130203487014/apple-boot-camp-no-longer-requires-u sb-flash-drive

     

    http://www.macrumors.com/2015/09/30/el-cap-boot-camp-no-usb/

     

    Cheers!!

  • by jndupuis1,

    jndupuis1 jndupuis1 Nov 23, 2015 8:23 PM in response to j-en
    Level 2 (470 points)
    Nov 23, 2015 8:23 PM in response to j-en

    There is the possibility of deleting this 8 GB partition. It is Fat 32. Is it worth it? By trying to add it to the Mac partition or the BOOTCAMP partition, you might boink up either the OS X installation or Windows installation. A small partition like that is not even worth the risk. Since these are Windows Setup and Installation files, it might be worth just hanging on to them and adding a 16 GB or 64 GB Thumb Drive for extra storage. This is just my conclusion after reading up on the matter. (Yes, I know, 8 GB is space for a Movie after formatting)

     

    Cheers!!

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Nov 24, 2015 3:49 AM in response to jndupuis1
    Level 7 (23,965 points)
    Safari
    Nov 24, 2015 3:49 AM in response to jndupuis1

    For an EFI Installation, adding/removing partitions is not an issue, unlike the old legacy BIOS/MBR installations. This partition is meant to be deleted and is deleted by BCA after the installation completes. I suggest you create a disk image using Disk Utility to a 8GB USB, for future use as an installer. This is your golden master.

  • by jndupuis1,

    jndupuis1 jndupuis1 Nov 24, 2015 2:16 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 2 (470 points)
    Nov 24, 2015 2:16 PM in response to Loner T

    Thanks. What I've read barely touches on that point. Thank you for the input.

     

    Cheers!!

  • by HardRock4,Helpful

    HardRock4 HardRock4 Nov 25, 2015 7:21 AM in response to PharmDLy
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 25, 2015 7:21 AM in response to PharmDLy

    PharmDLy, I had the same issue.  I am using OSX El Capitan and installed Windows 10 on the Bootcamp partition.  After the Bootcamp drivers installed and the computer restarted, the OSXRESERVED partition was still there.  Here's how I fixed it.  Boot to the computer into OSX and open up Disk Utility. Click on the top apple hard drive icon in the left panel (physical disk, not logical).  Next, click on the partition button at the top center of the window.  Now in the pie button on the left, select the OSXRESERVED slice and click on the minus button below.  This will allocate those 8 GB back to the Mac partition.  Hope this helps.

  • by PaulT83,

    PaulT83 PaulT83 Dec 1, 2015 2:38 AM in response to HardRock4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 1, 2015 2:38 AM in response to HardRock4

    When I did the same Windows 10 returned an error during next boot on my MacBook Pro. I think it is because its partition boot order has changed.... What I also mentioned is that such thing happens from time to time. I did tried to clean install OSX and then Windows few times. In ideal case 8 GB space automatically attaches to OSX partition during next boot into OSX...

    Hope someone can find proper solution to this problem...

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Dec 1, 2015 5:01 AM in response to PaulT83
    Level 7 (23,965 points)
    Safari
    Dec 1, 2015 5:01 AM in response to PaulT83

    BC Assistant is failing to remove the OSXRESERVED partition. IN most cases, it will be deleted. Please check OS X Applications -> Utilities -> Console logs for any disk-related messages.

     

    I prefer creating a USB Installer that can also be used for future Windows Repair. The OSXRESERVED method removes the ability to keep a 'golden' Windows installer, because every new attempt causes BCA to look for newer drivers, which some users may not want.

  • by johnmok,

    johnmok johnmok Dec 6, 2015 7:08 AM in response to HardRock4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 6, 2015 7:08 AM in response to HardRock4

    i have try your method, but that doesn't work, after i do that, i can't boot into windows 10, it said some error occur on start up and ask me to plug in CD or usb for recovery.....

     

    i am now downloading the win10 iso to usb again and see if it works...

     

    honestly, the new bootcamp *****...

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Dec 6, 2015 7:11 AM in response to johnmok
    Level 7 (23,965 points)
    Safari
    Dec 6, 2015 7:11 AM in response to johnmok

    johnmok wrote:

     

    i have try your method, but that doesn't work, after i do that, i can't boot into windows 10, it said some error occur on start up and ask me to plug in CD or usb for recovery.....

     

    i am now downloading the win10 iso to usb again and see if it works...

     

    honestly, the new bootcamp *****...

    Install Yosemite on an external disk - How to install OS X on an external drive connected to your Mac - Apple Support - and use BCA 5.x, which also supports W10.

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