Format and Partition Disk - a Reusable TS Module

Back in 2019, a few of us had a discussion around the proper way to create and size the various disk partitions that Windows uses. The result is in a blog that Gary Blok wrote called OSD Partition Setup, Mike Terrill Edition (The Optimized Way). If you have been following this method, then you likely have not had any issues with the patches that have touched the System partition or the Recovery partition. However, if you have not been using this, there is no better time to start then now.

I have made a few modifications to this since Gary last updated it. It is now what we call a TS module that can be called from other task sequences.

I also bumped the (UEFI) System partition size to 984MB as well since manufacturers are using this space for various firmware updates.

The Recovery partition comes after the Windows partition. It is created by a Run PowerShell Script step that shrinks the Windows partition by 984MB. Adjust this accordinly for your needs if you include additional items in the WinRE image (like languages). If you do go above 1GB, make sure there is plenty of free space for VSS/Volume Shadow Copy (if over 1GB, then it wants 1GB of free space).

The module can be downloaded from here. Use is as-is or modify it to meet your needs.