In some embodiments, the invention involves a system and method for instant re-imaging of a computing device using a sparse storage partition of dynamically variable size to hold re-imaging data. An embodiment uses a solid state storage device to hold the binary image, or re-imaging personality. An embodiment uses copy on write methodology to maintain the re-imaging personality. An embodiment allows the primary, or active, personality to cannibalize storage used for a re-imaging personality when additional storage is required. The state of a computing device may be switched to allow or prohibit re-imaging, or to prohibit cannibalization of storage. Other embodiments are described and claimed.