How to delete an operating system from dual boot in windows

Thursday, February 14, 2008

How to remove one Windows XP when two or more Windows XPs are installed on the same partition.

It's vital to accurately identify two items that relate to the XP you wish to REMOVE:
a The name of its installation folder/directory (we will remove that folder).
b Which is its line in the boot file Boot.ini (we will remove that line).
Optionally first create, and test, a Rescue Boot Disk for your current situation (1 floppy disk).
Skip the next section if you cannot boot to the Windows XP to be REMOVED
(though you should try editing Boot.ini to make it bootable!).
Boot to the Windows XP you wish to REMOVE.
and note its position in the Boot Menu during bootup.
Uninstall any software/applications that are specific to only this Windows XP.
Now go to Start > RUN. Type in (and then press OK).
CMD
Type in, and then press [Enter]
echo %windir%
You will see the name of the Windows folder you are using and you wish to REMOVE.
Note that name and then exit the Command Prompt.
Boot to a Windows XP you wish to KEEP
and note its position in the Boot Menu during bootup.
Make sure this Windows is the Default option in the Boot Menu
(the Windows to be removed MUST NOT be the Default in the Boot Menu).
Now go to Start > RUN. Type in (and then press OK).
CMD
Type in, and then press [Enter]
echo %windir%
You will see the name of the Windows folder you are using and you wish to KEEP.
Note that name and then exit the Command Prompt.
Backup Boot.ini (it's a Hidden file, usually on drive C:).
Now edit Boot.ini (see also on this page) and remove the line referring to the XP installation you wish to REMOVE
- the order in Boot.ini is the same as you see in the Boot Menu and you also now know the name of the Windows XP folder(s) you wish to keep.
Reboot.
Make sure you boot directly to a Windows XP you wish to KEEP.
If that XP does not boot, restore your backup of Boot.ini, and start at step 3 again.
Use Windows Explorer to identify the Windows folder you wish to REMOVE
and then RENAME the Windows folder you wish to REMOVE
(right-click on the correct folder/directory and click Rename, and then rename it).
Test all the software and applications you wished to keep.
If you are not happy with the situation, return the original name to the renamed folder and also restore the original Boot.ini, and then start at step 3 again.
If all is satisfactory, DELETE the RENAMED Windows folder - that's the Windows XP to be REMOVED.
Caution: DO NOT delete ANY boot files.
Caution: DO NOT interfere with the 'Documents and Settings', or 'Program Files', or any other folders except the Windows XP folder to be removed.

Advise: You can now recreate the Rescue Boot Disk to reflect your new situation.

Labels: Technology