Our Recommended Methods To Resolve Unable To Recover Your PC, System Drive Too Small

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Arsalan Shakil

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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You may encounter the error “Unable to recover your PC. The system drive is too small” when attempting to recover your PC. However, the process may fail due to insufficient storage on the target disk to complete the installation.

Methods Difficulty Rating

Basic Fixes

Before delving into technical methods, check the total storage of your target hard drive. Ensure it matches or exceeds the required space. Clear out unnecessary programs and software to free up space for new files during recovery. Consider upgrading to a larger-capacity hard drive if the requirements aren’t fulfilled.

Repair Corrupt Files

We suggest you run the System File Checker (SFC) Scan to analyze the PC for missing or corrupt files and replace them. Meanwhile, the Deployment Image Servicing And Management (DISM) Scan repairs the Windows Image and several other system and driver errors. We usually find these scans useful in resolving problems related to Windows OS.

1. Open CMD: Click on the search bar > Type cmd > Enter > Click Command Prompt > Choose Run as Administrator in the right panel.
   

   

2. Run Commands: Hit Yes > Enter the code, sfc/scannow > Execute, dism/online/cleanup-image /checkhealth > Run the code, dism/online/cleanup-image /scanhealth > Type and enter dism/online/cleanup-image /restorehealth.

Use MiniTool Partition Wizard

You can migrate the Operating System from a larger source disk to a smaller target disk using MiniTool Partition Wizard, which will solve your problem in no time. Tenforums also talks about this method, which worked wonders. However, the total occupied space on the source disk should be less than the free space on the target drive.

1. Get Software: Download MiniTool Partition Wizard on your PC.
   

   

2. Delete Partitions: Connect the Source Drive > Target Drive to your PC > Launch Partition Wizard once installed > Highlight the target drive > Click on Delete All Partitions from the left panel.
   

   

3. Apply Changes: Hit Yes > Press Apply in the bottom left corner.
   

   

4. Migrate SSD: Select Yes to save the changes > Highlight the Source Drive > Choose Migrate OS To SSD/HD.

   

5. Choose Method: Decide the Migration Method from the dialogue box > Mark the relevant box > Press Next.
   • Option A copies all partitions on the system disk, such as OS, games, and other programs, and moves them to the target disk.
   • Option B only copies the necessary partitions from the source to the target disk.
     

     

6. Select Disk: Choose your Target Disk > Click Next. It should be Unallocated since we deleted all its partitions in Step 4.
   

   

7. Select Option: Choose one option: Fit Partitions To Entire Disk(if the target disk is smaller) or Copy Partitions Without Resize > Click Next.
   

   

8. Finish Setup: Choose Finish.
   

   

9. Apply Changes: Press the Apply button.
   

   

10. Apply Changes: Click Yes to start the process.
    

    

11. Migration Process: The Migration should now begin.
    

    

Extend Drive Size

We also used MiniTool Partition Wizard to extend disk size by clearing unnecessary files and programs. 

Resize System Reserved Partition

1. Choose Drive: Highlight the C Drive > Ensure that you are running MBR; otherwise, you cannot resize the partition on your PC > Go to the bottom of the dialogue box > Right-click on C:(NTFS).
   

   

2. Select Option: Pick Move/Resize from the sub-menu. 
   

   

3. Set Unallocated Space: Locate the Size And Location slider > Move it slightly to the Left using the Arrow Button > Set the Unallocated Space After to 1GB > Press OK.
   

   

4. Apply Changes: Hit the Apply button.
   

   

5. Confirm Selection: Select Yes.
   

   

6. Restart PC: Choose Restart Now to take space from your C Drive.
   

   

Extend System Reserved Partition

1. Extend Partition: Launch MiniTool Partition Wizard > Highlight the Target Disk you need to extend > Right-click on System Reserved Partition > Go to Extend.
   

   

2. Choose Space: Click the box beside Take Free Space From > Choose Unallocated Space > Press OK.
   

   

3. Apply Changes: Click Apply for the changes.
   

   

4. Confirm Selection: Click Yes to confirm the new changes.
   

   

5. Restart PC: Hit Restart Now to configure your drive with the new changes.
   

   

Windows Installation Media Tool

A bad Windows Installation Media will cause problems during the recovery phase on your PC. Therefore, re-create the installation media with the Windows Installation Media Tool and restart the installation process to solve the error. A Dell community user venturing through this error also fixed it with this method.

Download Installation Media

1. Download Software: Get the right Windows Installation Media Tool version on your PC.
   

   

2. Create Media: Insert an Empty 8GB USB > Open the Media Tool after installation > Pick Create Installation Media (USB Flash Drive, DVD, Or ISO File) For Another PC  > Press Next.
   

   

3. Choose Option: Check mark on Use the recommended options for this PC > Click Next.
   

   

4. Select Drive: Choose USB Flash Drive > Hit Next.
   

   

5. Choose Option: Select the Connected USB > Click Next.
   

   

6. Setup Completion: Let the download complete.
   

   

7. End Setup: Click on the Finish button.
   

   

Install Windows

1. Choose Options: Connect the USB to the PC > Start Windows Process > Choose Language > Select Time and Currency Format > Choose preferred Keyboard or input method > Hit Next.
   

   

2. Install Windows: Press the Install Now button.
   

   

3. License Terms: Accept The Terms > Click Next.
   

   

4. Choose Type: Custom: Install Windows Only (advanced).
   

   

5. Choose Disk: Highlight the Target Disk > Press Format.
   

   

6. Confirm Selection: Choose OK from the pop-up.
   

   

7. Install Windows: Restart the installation with Install Now.
   

   

8. Finish Installation: Choose Target Disk > Click Next > Allow installation to finish.

   

Final Words

We recommend not turning off your PC when installing or resetting Windows to avoid such errors. A corrupt Windows installation media is another reason you may face this error. Learn How To Update Windows [11, 10, 8, And 7] with our extensive guide.

The error may occur for various reasons, such as when the primary drive is short on storage to store the files required during the Windows installation process. We found recovering from a USB drive is a workaround for this error; the Reddit community is also talking about it:

Got this error "Unable to recover your PC. The system drive is too small." while restoring from USB recovery drive. bought an SSD (256gb) and was trying to load windows on SSD through recovery drive. Any solutions??
byu/Girish215 inWindowsHelp

Apart from this, we have Microsoft Support on our back. You may find several troubleshooting methods by experts there.

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Arsalan Shakil

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com