Why So Many Partitions?

Oblivion

prost wrote: »

If your main partition is half full already then it looks like you'll run out of space long before the end of the laptop's life. Is this right? If you need another drive then you'll have to partition it (and partition it to NTFS). What would you like to do?

Hopefully this won't be a problem. We only bought these ultrabooks so we could create work on the move and then transfer the files onto the main workstation and our older lappies. Consequently the SSD shouldn't fill up much more now we have all the software we need loaded.

Cycrow

Im not sure what al lthe partitions are for, but the EFI is the boot loader for the UEFI bios (without your wont be able to boot in UEFI mode)
The large recovery partition will contain the original system image allowing you to factory reset the laptop, the other 2 recovering will contain the boot information and recovery/reset programs. Without these you wont be able to factory reset.

The oem partition will be the bootable diagnostics, which is usually accessed via the bios.

the only one im not sure about is the 8gb partition

tocsin

I have a Dell XPS 13 with a similar setup...

The two largest recovery partitions will _probably_ be installation copies of the operating system. On first boot-up, either Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 could be installed, depending on the UEFI/ 'BIOS' settings, according to the quick start guide.

I intend to get rid of one (or both - I've created a recovery USB stick, and have a nightly bare metal backup in place ) when the C: drive gets cramped.

Not sure what the others are, and will probably ask Dell before deleting, anyway. HTH.