What does a recovery partition contain?

A recovery partition is a specific portion of a hard drive or SSD that contains essential files needed to restore or recover the operating system in the event of a failure or other issues. This partition typically holds hidden installation files that are crucial for reinstalling the operating system or for performing a factory reset.

When a user encounters significant problems with their system, such as a corrupted OS or software malfunction, they can utilize the recovery partition to access the hidden files necessary for restoration. These files allow the user to reinstall the OS without needing installation media, providing a convenient and effective recovery option. Therefore, the option stating that recovery partitions contain hidden installation files accurately describes the primary purpose of this type of partition.

The other answer choices, although related to recovery or system functions, do not directly align with the primary contents and purpose of a recovery partition.