[Full Guide] Windows Server 2022 Extend Recovery Partition

Why does Windows Server 2022 extend recovery partition?

The recovery partition in Windows Server 2022 is a separate, secret area of the hard disk that provides tools and resources for troubleshooting, repairing, or restoring the operating system. This partition is generated automatically after Windows Server 2022 installation and is commonly used to store system recovery files, including Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), Startup Repair Tools, and System Image Recovery.

The size of the recovery partition in Windows Server 2022 is typically between 500 MB and 1 GB, depending on the system configuration and additional tools installed. By increasing the size of the recovery partition, you can ensure that the system has enough room to store necessary recovery files, which can be useful in case of a system failure or when performing a system restore.

This process typically involves manipulating partition sizes through built-in tools or third-party software, ensuring that the recovery partition remains functional and adequately sized. Extending the partition may also help maintain system performance and ensure that recovery options are not compromised. However, caution is required, as improper adjustments to disk partitions can lead to data loss or system instability. It is always advisable to back up important data before making any changes to the disk partitions.

How to extend recovery partition in Windows Server 2022

There are various methods available to accomplish this, as both Microsoft and several third-party developers offer tools specifically designed for partition resizing.

➤ Windows Server 2022 extend recovery partition freeWith Disk Management

Disk Management, a built-in utility in Windows, offers a range of features such as partition formatting, deletion, disk type conversion, and volume extension. However, before extending the recoverypartition, ensure there is unallocated space directly adjacent to the right of it. If not, the Extend Volume option will be grayed out.

Step 1. Right-click on "This PC" on the desktop and select "Manage" from the dropdown menu.

Step 2. Navigate to the "Storage" tab and choose "Disk Management".

Step 3. Locate the recovery partition, right-click on it, and select "Extend Volume".

Step 4. Follow the instructions in the wizard to complete the process.

➤ Windows Server 2022 recovery partition at end of disk viaDiskpart

Yes, you can extend the recovery partition using tools other than Disk Management. One such option is Diskpart, another built-in Windows utility that operates through command lines. This tool can perform almost all the functions of Disk Management.

Important: Ensure there is unallocated space directly adjacent to the right of the recovery partition; otherwise, the "extend" command will fail.

Step 1. Type "cmd" in the search bar at the bottom left of the desktop and press ENTER to open Command Prompt.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type "diskpart" and press ENTER to launch Diskpart.

Step 3. Enter "list volume" and press Enter to display all partitions on the selected hard drive.

Step 4. Type "select volume 1" (replace 1 with the recovery partition’s number) and press Enter to select the recovery partition.

Step 5. Type "extend" and press Enter to allocate the unallocated space to the recovery partition.

Tip: You can also resize the recovery partition using PowerShell with the "Resize-Partition" command as an alternative to Diskpart.

➤ Windows Server 2022 extend recovery partition using a third-party disk manager

Both Windows Disk Management and Diskpart can extend the recovery partition, but only if unallocated space is directly adjacent to the right. Otherwise, you’ll encounter the "Extend Volume grayed out" issue in Disk Management, and Diskpart will fail to execute the command.

Looking for a way for Windows Server 2022 extend recovery partition without limits? Consider using AOMEI Partition Assistant Server, a robust and user-friendly disk management tool. Unlike native Windows utilities, it can expand the Server 2022 recovery partition even if unallocated space isn’t adjacent. Additionally, it can merge partitions, move recovery partition, and perform various other tasks such as app migration, disk cloning, and partition wiping.

Download the demo version and see how to extend recovery partition in Windows Server 2022.

Way 1. One-Click Adjust Space

In this way, you can directly enlarge your recovery partition by shrinking the continuous partitions to get free space. For example, you can shrink partitions before and after the recovery partition at the same time so that your recovery drive can be enlarged.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Right-click a partition (here is D: partition) you want to adjust space and select "1-Click Adjust Space".

Step 2. If you want to use the space on F: to expand D:, you can simply drag the dot near the partition F: head backward to shrink the partition F: and enlarge the partition D: at the same time. Then click "OK". 

Tips: You can simultaneously drag the dot near the partition C: tail forward to shrink the partition C: so the D: will also be enlarged with the space of C: at the same time. In this case, you can adjust all partition space (C:, D:, and F:) on the disk.

Step 3. You can preview the operation by viewing the "Pending Operations". To commit the "Pending Operations", please click "Apply" and "Proceed".

Step 4. The process will start and you can check the progress. It might take time to finish the operation.

Step 5. Wait for the operation to be finished. After it is completed successfully, you will find D: is enlarged and both D: and F: are adjusted.

Way 2. Allocate free space

This method allows you to directly transfer free space from another partition with adequate storage to the Server 2022 recovery partition.

Step 1. Run the AOMEI product, select and right-click on the partition where you want to extract some free space and then, select “Allocate Free Space”.

Step 2. In the “Allocate Free Space” window, preset how much storage you want to allocate and choose the destination drive to allocate the storage space to. After that, hit “OK”.

Step 3. Follow “Apply > Proceed” to commit the pending operation.

FAQs

Can I create a new recovery partition?

It is possible to create a fresh recovery partition on your computer. Third-party applications like AOMEI Partition Assistant or disk management tools can be used to create and format the partition. Usually, backups, system restoration files, or a bootable recovery environment are kept on this recovery partition in case your operating system doesn't start up.

What is the recommended OS partition size for Server 2022?

For Windows Server 2022, an OS partition size of at least 32 GB is advised. However, you could need a larger partition based on the features and responsibilities you want to use. For instance, a partition size of 60 GB or more can be adequate to ensure smooth operation and future updates if you're running large apps or introducing additional server roles.

How do I move a healthy recovery partition in disk management?

To relocate a healthy recovery partition in Disk Management, you must utilize third-party partition management tools because Windows Disk Management does not enable partition relocation. Tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant make it possible to transfer the recovery partition without losing data. Simply choose the recovery partition, then select the "Move" option and specify the new location. To avoid potential problems, make sure to back up your data first.

Conclusion

The recovery partition in Windows Server 2022 is a vital tool for sustaining uptime and promptly resolving system issues, ensuring enterprise-grade operations. It's a nice option for Windows Server 2022 extended recovery partitions. Both the Server system and AOMEI have solutions for this, however, AOMEI Partition Assistant Server is the more user-friendly, adaptable, and efficient alternative.

You may easily resize other disks to increase the recovery partition using this third-party disk manager. Additionally, it enables you to allocate free space from other partitions to the recovery disk. AOMEI Partition Assistant is a comprehensive disk management application that also provides advanced features like cloning Windows Server 2022 to a new drive and repairing lost partitions.