what is this esp (F:)

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by jima, Aug 15, 2016.

  1. jima

    jima Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2004
    Posts:
    141
    A while back I was experimenting with browsing an image I had on an external drive. I remember that a drive, or partition letter was assigned during the process. I followed the prompts and browsed the image for a while and then closed Macrium Reflect.

    I recently noticed this esp (F) designation in windows explorer:

    Untitled.png

    This was not there previously. I would like to get rid of it but can't find out how. If I right click on it I do not get the option to "unmount" it with Macrium Reflect, but only to "create an image of this partition".

    Also it appears in the list of partitions in Macrium Reflect:

    So can anyone help me with what is going on. I feel that I must have created this somehow when I was trying to browse an image?

    (I apologize for the mess I made trying to post this

    Untitled.png 2.png
     
    Last edited: Aug 15, 2016
  2. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
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    Posts:
    4,954
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    It's very small and not something Reflect would ever create during any of its processes... it came fro somewhere else.

    It shows as your only FAT32 partition which means you're probably running an UEFI/GPT System configuration. If so, you cannot get rid of it (it's needed to BOOT your system.

    Normally it's HIDDEN but looks like it has been exposed for some purpose.
     
  3. jima

    jima Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2004
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    Yes, your right on the UEFI/GPT System configuration. Ok, I guess I will have to live with it - I see no way to hide it. Thanks for the quick reply.
     
  4. jima

    jima Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2004
    Posts:
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    Froggie, I wanted to verify that you were absolutely right, I temporarily turned off UEFI and it went away, so again - thank you
     
  5. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

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    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,175
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    jima,

    The ESP shouldn't have a drive letter. Go to Disk Management and remove the drive letter.
     
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