User profile for user: asdihfrompleasantob
asdihfrompleasantob Author
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[HELP] Can't reclaim deleted Windows partition space into main hard drive, real frustrating.

I tried posting this on /r/applehelp to no response, so I thought I'd try here since this is the official website.


I recently created a windows partition for a test, and then deleted it. When I deleted it, it created an untitled drive that appears greyed out and takes up space from my main "Macintosh HD" drive. I can't figure out how to reclaim the space into the "Macintosh HD" drive. I've tried terminal commands as-well as going into recovery mode and repairing the disk. I also couldn't delete the drive through partitions as I got error messages. The two drives don't even add up to 250 GB (my mac's total space) as there is a small sliver that seems to be unidentified by the laptop in the partition section. It's really frustrating, I basically just want my mac to be in factory settings, with one "Macintosh HD" drive with 250 GB.

Here are screenshots of what I am seeing.


https://imgur.com/a/KMtyyGM

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, macOS High Sierra (10.13.4), 15 inch

Posted on Jul 3, 2018 1:38 PM

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,007 points

Posted on Jul 6, 2018 1:45 PM

I think you need to repartition the entire drive. I think this will do the trick and install macOS, as well.


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


If possible backup your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, the out-dented entry) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  10. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.


Note:

1. To install the version of OS X that was currently installed use Command-Option-R.

2. To install the original factory version when the computer was new use Command-Option-Shift-R.

The above requires you have a model that supports Internet Recovery. Preferably use Ethernet because it is faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. If you are not sure whether your model qualifies then generally if you have a 2010 or earlier model then it does not qualify. Late 2011 models do qualify.

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,007 points

Jul 3, 2018 5:03 PM in response to asdihfrompleasantob

The Windows partition is made using Boot Camp Assistant. Only BCA can be used to remove it and reunite it with the macOS partition. When you use Disk Utility then it doesn't work. Furthermore, the Windows partition must be created from an HFS+ formatted disk. APFS does not work as-is. Now, you need to repartition and reformat your drive through Disk Utility.


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


If possible backup your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the (Command-Option-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, the out-dented entry) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  10. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.


Note:

1. To install the version of OS X that was currently installed use Command-Option-R.

2. To install the original factory version when the computer was new use Command-Option-Shift-R.

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[HELP] Can't reclaim deleted Windows partition space into main hard drive, real frustrating.

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