start->program>ThinkVantage->create recovery media
the program will allow you to create recovery media only once. Once you created one copy and delete the hidden partition and your recovery media wears out, you will not be able to recover the system to factory default.
So deletion of the hidden partition is not recommended, although there are ways to work around.
Wanna have extra hd space? go with 2.5" external USB HD, pretty inexpensive nowadays.
BTW, good price