If you have a dual-boot system with Linux and Windows, then you probably know that when you start your system first Linux boot loader appears showing Linux as well as Windows boot entries and if you select Windows from the list, it starts Windows.
Suppose a situation when you want to remove Linux from your system and want to use only Windows, then how will you do it?
Many times people delete the partitions having Linux installed from "Disk Manager" but it doesnt remove Linux completely. The Linux boot loader still appears at startup but since you deleted Linux partitions, the boot loader gets corrupted and your system becomes unusable.
So if you are also facing this problem or you faced this problem in past and could not get a working solution, then read this tutorial and you can follow it if you find yourself in a similar situation.
This tutorial will help you in completely removing Linux from a dual-boot system:
STEP 1. First you'll need to boot using Windows setup CD. You can use Windows 98 Setup CD or Windows 2000, XP, 2003 CD or Windows Vista, Server 2008, Windows 7 DVD.
Using Windows 98 CD:
Boot into Command Prompt and provide following command:
fdisk /MBR
Now exit from command prompt by typing Exit and press Enter.
Using Windows 2000, XP, 2003 CD:
Enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R", select your Windows installation and enter administrator password. Now provide following command:
fixmbr
Press "Y" to confirm and type Exit to exit from recovery console.
Using Windows Vista, Server 2008, Windows 7 DVD:
Boot using setup DVD and click on "Repair Computer" link, then click on "Command Prompt". Now navigate to your DVD drive using CD command and at last provide following command:
bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr
Exit from Command prompt and restart your system.
Thanks to Ramesh Kumar (Fellow MVP) to provide this trick.
STEP 2. The above commands will remove the Linux boot loader from startup and you'll be able to directly boot into Windows.
STEP 3. If you have not deleted Linux partitions, then you can delete them using "Disk Manager" tool in Windows.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Linux, Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
If you enjoyed this article, you can subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox. Also check out our most popular articles and archive to read other interesting articles. If you have some news or tip to share, please send us.
Aaron
Umm...I have windows xp, but only have the disc for 2000. Can I use it?
VG
^^ I think yes.
Aaron
Okay, it worked. Thanks a lot! :)
Fused
THANKYOU!
Could not get my head around fixing it up in Windows 7.
The vista/server fix works.
Hamzah
Many Thanks for your support. So very kind.
ady dharmadi
Thank you very much, you save my time :)
Krum
i wanted to remove ubuntu from my dual boot vista. But when i put in the dvd i am not getting a repair computer link in the installation window. Am i doing anything wrong coz i have no idea what to do next. And that command in not working either is displays that the command in wrong or something like that, in short : not working. Please help!
John lock
hi i install refit on macbook pro. i manage to see three operating systems ,mac,linux,win
then i try to reinstall linux but for my mistake install boot loader in (hd0) instead of sd3 partition.
No when refit is loading i am i can see 2 penguins but the one is loading from HD and the other from sda3.
i would like to remove the penguin load from HD. can anybody help please?
Dtrini
I just wanted to say thank you. The instructions were clear and to the point and I was able to restore the bootloader and remove the second drive from my laptop without issue. Much appreciated.
Kevin
can this be done without a disk?