An MSR partition is a small GPT support partition, not a normal storage volume. If you accidentally deleted the MSR partition during Windows Setup, stop writing to the disk. This guide covers MSR vs. Recovery partitions, when Windows can recreate an MSR, and how to find recoverable data without overwriting the source drive.
Deleting the MSR partition usually won't stop the PC from booting, though it may cause future disk management or partitioning issues. The MSR is a small, empty GPT partition that reserves space for future partition operations (e.g., converting basic to dynamic disks) and holds no user data, personal files, or bootloader.
After deletion, the system typically boots normally, but problems may arise later when using certain Windows tools to repartition, extend, or convert the drive. Windows can sometimes recreate the MSR automatically during major updates or a clean OS install.
Deleted My EFI& MSR Partitions by Error, How to Rebuild It?
I accidentally deleted every single partition of my computer except the one that Windows is installed on. I thought it was a good idea. But it was not.
I have no more MSR or EFI partitions, so when I boot, it gives an error. I have two disks: one remained untouched, and the other disk has Windows on it and has MSR and EFI partitions.
Is there a way to rebuild those? There's no problem if it takes time or something; it's not my main computer. I just don't wanna lose the data that is on all the partitions. (since I only deleted partitions where I thought there was nothing)
- Question from superuser.com
Don’t worry if you have accidentally deleted the MSR partition on your computer. Here we will show you the solutions to recover it safely.
What is an MSR partition? An MSR partition(Microsoft Reserved) is a small (16MB in Windows 11/10, or 128MB on Windows 7, 8, and 8.1), hidden empty space (no file system) that Windows creates automatically on GPT disks in UEFI-based installations. It holds no personal files. Windows may recreate it when configuring partitions, but don't assume this restores a deleted data partition or fixes every boot problem.
Recovery partition: Also normally hidden, but it stores Windows Recovery Environment files. Deleting it can remove built-in recovery options even if Windows still boots. If deleted in Windows 11, check Disk Management and the disk layout first—a partition missing from File Explorer isn't necessarily deleted.
In short: MSR partition is system-support space; Recovery partition supports repair tools; a Primary data partition holds your files. Deleting the MSR is unlikely to erase all personal files. If your data partition disappeared at the same time, protect that disk and troubleshoot the larger partition separately.
Do not:
Do these:
If Windows still starts, copy accessible files to another physical drive.
If it does not start, shut down and use another working Windows computer or an appropriate recovery environment rather than repeatedly booting and writing to the source disk.
Open Disk Management only to inspect the layout. Record the disk number, capacity, partition sizes, and whether the missing item is labeled MSR, Recovery, EFI System, or Primary. Disconnect other disks during a reinstall so the Windows installer cannot apply a partition operation to the wrong drive.
If you have created backups for your system, including the system reserved partition, such as a system image and an external backup, you can restore data without scanning the source disk. If no usable copy exists and the affected disk is recognized, a recovery scan may be appropriate.
If you need to recover the whole MSR partition while your computer is still bootable, you can try MyRecover Professional to recover the MSR partition entirely with the Partition Recovery feature. It’s designed to restore a lost partition and its data together.
With MyRecover, enjoy the following benefits:
So, how to recover the whole MSR partition in Windows 11/10 with MyRecover:
1. Install and launch MyRecover on your Windows 11/10 computer. Launch MyRecover and tap Partition Recovery.
2. Select the disk by disk number, capacity, and model, then verify the displayed layout before hitting Next.
3. Choose the available fast or full search according to your demands and hit Next. A full search can take longer but may be appropriate when the quick search does not identify the expected partition.
4. Tick the missing MSR partition you need according to the file system, size, etc. And click Proceed if you confirmed.
Wait a moment; the missing MSR partition will be recovered successfully. Go to Disk Management to check the result.
Use DiskPart in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) or Command Prompt. An MSR partition has no file system—Windows just needs a 128 MB (or 16 MB) unformatted partition with the MSR GUID type (E3C9E316-0B5C-4DB8-817D-F92DF00215AE).
Here is how to rebuild a deleted MSR partition in Windows 11/10:
1. Boot into Windows installation media or WinRE, press Shift + F10 (or go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt) to open an Administrator Command Prompt.
2. Type diskpart and press Enter.
3. Run list disk to identify your target disk.
4. Select your Windows system disk: select disk n (replace n with the disk number, e.g., 0).
5. Create the MSR partition: create partition msr size=16 (16MB is standard for Windows 10/11; size=128 also works for Windows 7, 8, 8.1).
6. Verify with list partition.
7. Type exit to close DiskPart.
Setting the MSR Type ID Manually: Usually create partition msr assigns the correct MSR attribute automatically on Windows GPT drives. If the partition was created generically, use advanced partition utilities (e.g., gdisk) to assign the specific Microsoft Reserved GUID.
If your personal files are missing after deleting the MSR partition, it means your other data partitions were also affected by the accidental deletion (you might have deleted other data files by accident). Except for partition recovery, you can also try the Partition Lost Recovery feature to recover the files only instead of the entire partition and its files. If the files are your only goal, try the following steps to recover personal files from the deleted partition with MyRecover:
Note:
Create bootable USB (Optional):
1. Please download MyRecover on another working computer, then install and launch it. Prepare a USB drive of at least 32GB, then connect it to the working computer.
2. Tap PC Crashed Recovery, tick the USB drive, then hit Create. Wait for the process to complete.
1. Launch MyRecover and choose Partition Lost Recovery.
2. Hover over the lost partition you need based on the partition size, tap Scan.
3. Once scanned, preview the files before recovery to ensure they are intact. Tick the files you need, and hit Recover.
4. Choose another safe location to save these recovered files. Once completed, check the destination for file integrity.
You should not delete an MSR partition casually. On a GPT disk, it is reserved for Windows operations and is not a normal data volume. The practical question is not whether the partition is visible in File Explorer—it normally is not—but whether the disk still has the expected partition structure and whether Windows can boot and manage the disk normally. If you are preparing a disk for a completely new installation, follow the installer’s documented disk-selection process and confirm the target disk first.
If the wrong partition was deleted during setup, do not “fix” the problem by installing Windows to the same disk before checking for data. A clean installation and new partition creation can overwrite the areas you need to scan.
Deleting a Windows Recovery partition is not the same as deleting the MSR. Windows may continue to boot, but built-in recovery options such as Reset or advanced repair may be unavailable or may require installation media. If personal data is missing, prioritize data recovery first. If only recovery tools are missing and your files are safe, use official Windows installation or recovery media to repair the operating environment rather than scanning for personal files.
Do not use MyRecover to recreate WinRE or repair Windows boot components. MyRecover can help look for lost data when the disk is recognized, but it is not a general partition manager or Windows repair tool.
An accidentally deleted MSR partition is not automatically the same as lost personal data. First, identify whether the deleted item was the MSR, Windows Recovery, EFI, or a large Primary partition. If Windows and your files still work, avoid unnecessary repairs. If a data partition is missing, stop writing to the disk and use a backup or a recovery scan. Partition Lost Recovery searches for data without restoring the partition itself; Partition Recovery in MyRecover Professional targets the partition and its data together.
Can I recover an MSR partition after deleting it?
You may be able to recover data from a neighboring deleted partition, but an MSR itself normally does not contain personal files. First, confirm the deleted partition by size and location. Do not create a new volume or reinstall Windows until you protect important data, because subsequent writes can reduce what recovery software can recover.
Does deleting the MSR erase my personal files?
Deleting only the MSR does not normally erase files stored on a separate Primary partition, but the situation is different if the wrong partition was selected. Check the disk layout by number, size, and position, then copy accessible files elsewhere. Treat any large missing or unallocated partition as a separate data-loss problem.
Is it safe to delete an MSR partition?
Deleting an MSR partition is not recommended. It holds no user data and the system usually still boots, but it reserves space for future disk management operations (e.g., converting basic to dynamic disks). Since it's tiny (128 MB) and removing it risks future system issues, it's best left alone.
Can DiskPart restore a deleted MSR partition?
DiskPart can inspect and create partitions, but its commands are not a reliable way to recover deleted files or reconstruct a lost partition’s original contents. Avoid clean, format, and create commands on the affected disk until recovery is complete. Use a backup or a read-only recovery tool when personal data is missing.
Is an MSR partition the same as a Windows 11 Recovery partition?
An MSR partition and a Windows Recovery partition serve different purposes. MSR is reserved GPT support space, while the Recovery partition stores Windows recovery tools. Deleting the Recovery partition can remove repair options without deleting personal files, so identify the partition type before choosing a recovery or repair method.
Should I reinstall Windows after deleting the MSR?
Do not reinstall Windows until you have checked for data you need. A fresh installation can create new partitions and write into areas that may still contain recoverable information. If Windows still boots, back up personal files first. If it does not boot, recover data from another environment or computer before repairing the installation.
Can MyRecover repair a deleted MSR partition?
MyRecover is intended to scan for and recover lost data, not to act as a general partition manager or Windows repair utility. Partition Lost Recovery can search for data from a lost partition, while Partition Recovery targets restoration of a partition and its data. Results depend on disk condition, overwriting, and the selected feature.