How to Remove a Dual-Boot Configuration
So, let's say you've gone through and done a dual boot with Linux Ubuntu (or any distribution, really) and you want to remove it. It takes a little effort, but it can be done without causing harm to your Windows OS (providing nothing goes wrong). This page will walk you through this process. Note that I am using Windows Vista and Gparted 0.4.2 for this guide.
You have: Windows XP or Vista and Linux setup as a dual boot configuration.
You Want: To remove your Linux partitions by re-formating thus just having Windows on your PC.
Things you'll Need:
- Desktop or Laptop PC running both Windows and Linux
- A blank CD-R
- Windows operating system recovery CD
- Flash Drive (Optional)
STOP! WARNING:
BE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR OS RECOVERY CD (MENTIONED ABOVE) FOR WINDOWS. IT IS COMPLETELY NESSARRY TO HAVE IN ORDER TO FIX THE MASTER BOOT RECORD. FAILING TO ACKNOWLEDGE MAY RESULT YOUR COMPUTER NOT BEING ABLE TO BOOT WINDOWS AT ALL.
Step 1: Preparation
Ok, first and foremost, I highly recommend backing up your files to a flash drive. When I did this process at first, I completely messed up when re-formatting my partitions and wiped out Vista (Yeah, even I can screw up as easily as anyone else). Next, be sure your computer boots off a CD at start-up. This is critical so that you can boot your Windows recovery CD, and another program we're going to burn to a CD later to re-size our partitions.
If you followed my dual boot guide when you installed Linux Ubuntu, you already changed your BIOS settings to boot off a CD. Here's those steps again though:
- Restart your computer, and hit the key that brings up the setup screen right away. It's a little different for each computer, but the key on my Dell Inspiron 1525 is "F2".
- Once youŐre in the setup, you should see an option for "Boot Sequence".
- Once there, use "shift" button and the up arrow key to bring the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive to the top of the list.
- Then, push "enter". Finally, push the "ESC" button and then "Save/Exit".
- Just shutdown your computer after you've finished the previous step.
Step 2: Download and Burn Gparted to CD
Before we reformat our Linux partitions, we need to download a Third Party Tool called Gparted. This is the tool thats going to extend our Linux partitions back to Windows; our C drive partition later on in this guide. You can download Gparted at their website:
http://Gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php
Just download the latest version there. Once you've done that, you'll need to burn it to a CD. You'll need a CD burner tool such as Express Burn to burn the ISO file of Gparted to a blank CD. There's plenty of free CD burning programs out there for free. After you've done this, just set it to the side for now. We'll use it a bit later.
Step 3: "Delete" your Linux Partitions
Now, we're really ready to begin:
- Right-click on "Computer"
- Select "Mange"
- Now, go "Disk Management" and you'll see your partitioned hardrive. You'll see your C drive (Windows) partition, and you'll see two partitions for Linux that you allocated when you first set them up; similar to mine below (click image for full size):
- Right-click on the two Linux volumes and select "Delete Volume" for each of them.
At this point, the original Linux partitions will become un-allocated space. You can't extend your C drive with this un-allocated space; at least not yet. That's what that Gparted live CD you downloaded will do later on. For now, restart your computer.
Step 4: Restore the MBR for Windows
Pop in your Windows OS recovery CD now and restart your computer if you haven't already done so. We need to fix the master boot record so the GRUB menu can be replaced to boot Windows again at start-up. This is a very important step, for you won't be able to access Windows without fixing the master boot record. Once you're at the main loading screen on the Windows OS recovery CD, do the following:
- Select "Repair", or "Repair your Computer". The options are slightly different depending on which OS (XP or Vista) you have.
- Windows will then search and locate your C drive. Click "Next >"
- Find the option for "Command Prompt"
- If you're using XP, enter the following command: fix mbr
- If you're using Vista, enter the following command:
Bootrec.exe /FixMbr
That's all you have to do. Now, shut down your computer and get your Gparted live CD handy for the next step.
Step 5: Use Gparted to Extend the Windows Partition
Technically, your computer is now "fixed" and the GRUB has been removed so Windows can now boot properly. However, that unallocated space is still, well...unallocated. The Gparted live CD will help you allocate that space and extend your Windows partition volume.
Insert your Gparted CD and start up your computer. It'll take a little bit to boot up, and it'll you several questions:
- It'll first ask you if you want to edit your keymap. Just select "Don't touch keymap" and hit "enter".
- Next, you'll configure the language you want to use. Type "33" and hit "enter" for English.
- Hit "0" to get to Gparted's GUI. If you haven't noticed already, Gparted is in-fact based off of UNIX/Linux
You'll now be in the Gparted GUI. It'll automatically bring the Gparted partitioner up. Now, select the "Resize/Move" button and allocate your two unallocated partitions to your Windows OS partition. It will take a few minutes to do this. When it's done though, the unallocated partitions will once again be a-part of Windows. You're all finished! Now, your computer is back to way it was before you dual-booted with Linux.
