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Linux partprobe Guide

Mattscreative edited this page Dec 5, 2025 · 2 revisions

Linux partprobe Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to partprobe on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including updating partition table, reloading partitions, and partition management.


Table of Contents

  1. Understanding partprobe
  2. partprobe Basics
  3. Updating Partitions
  4. Reloading Partitions
  5. Troubleshooting

Understanding partprobe

What is partprobe?

partprobe informs kernel of partition changes.

Uses:

  • Update partitions: Update partition table
  • Reload partitions: Reload partition info
  • Partition changes: Apply partition changes
  • System update: Update system partition info

Why it matters:

  • Partition updates: Apply partition changes
  • System sync: Sync partition table
  • Avoid reboot: Apply changes without reboot

partprobe Basics

Update Partitions

Basic usage:

# Update partition table
sudo partprobe /dev/sda

# Reloads partition table for device

All Devices

Update all:

# Update all devices
sudo partprobe

# Reloads all partition tables

Updating Partitions

Specific Partition

Single partition:

# Update specific partition
sudo partprobe /dev/sda1

# Reloads partition info

Verbose Mode

Show actions:

# Verbose mode
sudo partprobe -s /dev/sda

# -s = summary (shows summary)

Reloading Partitions

After fdisk

After partitioning:

# After using fdisk
sudo fdisk /dev/sda
# Make changes, write (w)

# Then update
sudo partprobe /dev/sda

Without Reboot

Apply changes:

# Apply partition changes
sudo partprobe /dev/sda

# No reboot needed

Troubleshooting

partprobe Not Found

Check installation:

# Check partprobe
which partprobe

# Usually in parted
# Install if missing
sudo pacman -S parted

Summary

This guide covered partprobe usage, partition updates, and partition management for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions.


Next Steps


This guide covers Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other Linux distributions. For distribution-specific details, refer to your distribution's documentation.

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