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How to Remove Linux Boot Loader from Startup After Deleting Linux Partitions?

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If you have a dual-boot computer system with Linux and Windows operating systems, you probably know that when you start your computer, it shows Linux boot loader at startup which contains Linux and Windows boot entries. If you select Windows from the OS list, it starts Windows and if you select Linux, it boots into Linux distro.

Imagine a situation when you want to remove/uninstall Linux from your system and want to use only Windows operating system, how will you do it?

Many times people directly delete or format the hard disk partitions which contain Linux operating system but it doesn’t completely remove Linux. The Linux boot loader still appears at system startup but since you deleted Linux partitions, the boot loader gets corrupted and your system becomes unbootable.

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If you are also facing this problem or if you have faced this problem in past and could not get a working solution, then this tutorial will definitely help you.

This tutorial will help you in completely removing or uninstalling Linux operating system and its boot loader from a dual-boot computer:

STEP 1: Remove Linux Boot Loader from Startup

Before deleting or formatting Linux partitions, you’ll need to remove Linux boot loader from system startup.

You’ll need to boot using Windows setup disc. You can use setup disc of any Windows version such as Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8/8.1 or later.

Using Windows Vista and Later Windows Versions DVD:

Boot using setup disc and DO NOT click on “Install now” button. Look for a link “Repair your computer” present in bottom-left corner of the window, click on it.

Windows_7_Installation_Screen.png

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It’ll open a new window, do not change anything and click on Next button. Now setup will show “System Recovery Options” screen where you can perform startup repair, system restore, etc. Click on “Command Prompt” link given at the bottom of the list.

Windows_7_System_Recovery_Options_List.png

It’ll open Command Prompt window, now run following command:

bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr

Exit from Command prompt and restart your system.

Using Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 CD:

Boot using setup disc and enter into “Recovery Console” by pressing “R” key, select your Windows installation and enter Administrator password. If you don’t have any password, press Enter key. Now run following command:

fixmbr

Press “Y” to confirm and type Exit to exit from recovery console.

Using Windows 98 CD:

Boot into Command Prompt and run following command:

fdisk /MBR

Exit from command prompt by typing Exit and press Enter.

Above steps will remove the Linux boot loader from startup and you’ll directly boot into Windows operating system.

STEP 2: Delete or Format Linux Partitions

Now you can safely delete or format hard disk partitions which contained Linux operating system. You can delete/format them using “Disk Management” tool in Windows as mentioned in following tutorial:

How to Restrict / Hide / Remove Drives in Windows Explorer?

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

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  2. my pc is initially installed with the RHEL-6 now i am trying to install the windows OS to my PC it was not working, the bootable cd is loading while it comes to windows logo the PC start Restating
    what i have to do for please help me.

  3. Hi, Since I have deleted linux partition on my dual boot notebook, error 17 occurred. I managed to follow your instructions upto “x:\windows/system32/bootsect /nt60 SYS” and “x:\windows/system32/mbr” and made the system to boot windows7 only. But my trouble is as I inserted installation disc (USB) and hit boot over ride the annoying “linux” menu appeared. HOW SHOULD I REMOVE THIS LOADER MENU??? If I press power on bottom and leave the system, it boots to normal window as I stated above.

  5. Thanks to your instructions now I have removed Linux boot loader successfully. I used “bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr” and “bootrec.exe/FixMbr”. Thanks a lot.

  6. will this method completely format my window …if yes then is there any way by which I can save my data …

  9. In my lap having dual is…but unfortunately I have dltd tha Linux partition….now my lap is stuck by…Grub loading.
    Error: unknown file system….. How to boot my another os or boot windows 7by usb

  10. my pc had win 7 and kalilinux. now i want to install winxp. but when i insert bootable pen drive its not boot from this. it always start with grub loader and start window or linux .
    so how to boot from usb
    i changed boot order from bios but not working.

  13. As my beilef I deleted my partiton conataining Linux. but grub stayed there.
    So with the references, I re-installed the OS back again,
    But the problem is that now the windows metro boot loader shows THREE os,
    1. Windows 10
    2. Linux mint
    3. Linux mint
    where 2 & 3 points to the same !!
    Thanks in advance

  14. ^^ First remove Grub bootloader and then format Linux partitions. It should automatically remove linux entries from Windows boot loader.

  15. Please help i deleted the partition of kali Linux, via magic partition,..
    And i can log in to win 7 , as it was dual boot with kali.

    and i see this if on my laptop
    GRUB loading.
    Welcome ot DRUB’

    ERROR : no such partation.
    Entering rescue mode…
    grub rescue> _

    Please help to proceed further…

  17. choose an operating system to start ,, i wana remove this,..

    Debain GNU/Linux – Continue with install process

    Thanks

  18. i was unable to boot after deleting my debian linux partition and with this AMAZING comand bootsect /nt60 SYS /mbr my boot load comeback! Thank you VG! You are great!

  19. Thank You, I deleted my linux first and then booted into usb windows7 install, it only took seconds and walla. your a system saver. saved me hours of work. so I kinda love yah ; )

  21. Thanks a lot man…you saved my day!!!…i simply deleted the partition & was not aware that win will not boot only deleting the partition….thank a ton!!! simple & effective..

  22. I have already deleted the Ubuntu partitions and while booting both windows and ubuntu option shows up. Could you please help me here to remove the ubuntu remains completely

    I do not have windows bootable CD though windows is working fine.

  23. I don’t want to continue installation with Kali Linux image 64 bit. After I clicked set up, now system is ready to restart to proceed installation which is what I’m trying to avoid. Am I able to perform a system restore right now? Any help will be grateful.

  24. I’ve followed the procedure (bootsect /nt69 sys /mbr for Windows 8) and get this msg:
    The system partition was not found
    Access is denied.

    What can I do?

  25. I have a new Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Laptop.
    I installed Linux OpenSuse but now I need to remove this for another Linux Version.
    I have two tick box options in the BIOS for “opensuse” and “Windows”.
    I deleted the Linux partitions, leaving 100 GB unallocated for another Linux version, but this now fails to install its new boot loader, so I need to delete the OpenSuse one.
    I tried booting from a Windows 10 Recovery USB and used your suggested command bootrec.exe /fixmbr, which reported success, but the two options of opensuse and Windows remain unchanged in the BIOS.
    How can I now remove the stubborn OpenSuse boot loader from the BIOS options?

  28. Hey guys if you deleted your Linux or Ubuntu before changing the grub settings and your stuck, just do one easy thing !!! Restart your PC and then keep pressing F12!! The Boot Menu Will Appear Again !!

    Thank Me Later !!

    A Rastaman from India 😇

  29. Thanks for teaching what you know. I also do it when I know.
    Today I was just learning what I don’t.
    Regards from Porto, Portugal

  30. It works, after troubles for many weeks.
    Many thanks
    All respect
    God rewards and blesses you

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