The error "Unable to update the partition reserved by the system": what is this failure and how to fix it?

More and more users who previously used the seventh and eighth version of Windows on their computers decide to upgrade to the tenth modification, but upgrade to Windows 10 & raquo; the existing system fails. Quite often, they encounter a very unpleasant situation when the process either does not start at all, or at a certain stage of execution (for example, after reaching 25%) an error is issued with a message that Windows 10 cannot be launched on this computer.

As an additional description, it is reported that the partition reserved by the system cannot be updated. What is most sad, no restarting the installation helps. Let's try to get rid of this error together and see how to solve such an unpleasant problem with the simplest methods. I immediately want to warn all users without exception that they’ll have to roll up their sleeves, as they will need to work with system tools — the disk management section and the command line, which many people don’t like. Alas, there is no other solution.

Error "Unable to update the partition reserved by the system": what is the problem?

If anyone does not know, with the so-called clean installation of any of the latest operating systems, the system independently reserves a certain amount of disk space for its own needs in case of emergency situations. In the "seven" it is about 100 MB, and in the "eight" - 350 MB. It is with this section that problems arise. Either the installer cannot access it, or something is wrong with the existing OS, it is not known for certain. But it is in this situation that the installer reports that he is unable to update the partition reserved by the system.

Disk Management Utility Actions

The partition itself, reserved by the operating system, is hidden and has no letters assigned to it for identification in the "Explorer" or in any other file manager. That is, it is impossible to see it without using specialized tools to manage disk partitions. Thus, you must first make it visible. Third-party software products can not be used. To perform the necessary operations, you can do it with your own Windows tools.

First, call the disk management applet by writing the combination diskmgmt.msc in the Run console.

Now select the reserved section, and then, through the PCM menu, go to the point of changing the drive letter, then click the "Add" button and select an unoccupied letter from the list (best somewhere in the end of the alphabet, for example, "Y"), and then save installed options.

Actions in the command console

The next step is to run the command console (cmd) as administrator.

In it, you first need to set the takeown / f command to run. / r / dy and wait for the system to process your request. When all operations are completed, write down three more commands in sequence:

• icacls. / grant administrators: F / t;
• attrib -h -s -r bootmgr;
• chkdsk Y: / F / X / sdcleanup / L: 5000, where Y is the section letter given earlier.

Again, wait for the request processing to complete, then simply close the command console.

Final steps with the download folder and section lettering

Now go to the "Explorer" (quick call - Win + E combination), turn on the hidden objects in the view menu and go to the section that appears, which will be marked with the letter assigned to it in the disk management applet.

There is a Boot directory here. From it you need to remove absolutely everything that is, leaving only the en-US and ru-RU directories.

Note: for complete deletion, it is best to use the Shift + Del combination , rather than first placing all objects in the Trash.

Now use the key combination that is convenient for you to reboot or restart using the standard method from the Start menu. After that, you can repeat the system upgrade at startup from removable media with distribution. In theory, Windows 10 will be installed in normal mode, and a message stating that it is not possible to update the partition reserved by the system will no longer appear.

As a final step, when the new OS is ready for use, call the disk management section again and delete the letter assigned to the backup partition using the same method that was described at the very beginning (there is a special button to delete the letter in the parameter window).

Additional solutions

It’s better not to pay attention to the solutions offered on the Internet regarding freeing up space in the system partition or disabling all kinds of cryptographic system services, since they still will not give any effective effect! But if the problem arises when trying to install updates for the “top ten” itself, you can deactivate the antivirus, rename the SoftwareDistribution directory, add old to it with a dot, free up disk space “C” by cleaning or deleting unnecessary programs and large files, reduce level of control for user accounts UAC, etc.

In extreme cases, you can execute the set of commands presented above at the command line, then reboot the system and specify a manual search for updates with their further installation.