Removing Ubuntu From Dual Boot - New Method

[Alboguy]

This method works with every available distro out there. I took Ubuntu just as an example as it's the most popular distro.

Note: The method described below works only if you have access to Windows. If you can't access Windows see HERE
If you do have access to Windows keep reading.

We all know that deleting the Ubuntu partitions will delete all data but not the GRUB Loader which is a small file installed in the MBR (Master Boot Record). GRUB's purpose is to boot the system up. Deleting the partitions will corrupt GRUB and as a result making impossible to boot in Windows. To remove GRUB follow the steps below:

1. Download and install Easeus Partition Manager Free

2. After installation open it, select the hdd where you installed Ubuntu and then click Rebuild MBR as shown in the picture below:




3. A new windows will pop up asking you to select which Windows version you are using. In my case is Windows 7. Select the OS click OK and restart.



It's done! Now you can safely delete the partitions.

[sm1]

Thanks Alboguy A few days back I installed PCLinuxOS and dual booted with vista. I deleted the linux partitions using windows disk management, rebooted and using windows disc I fixed the mbr using fixmbr command. I knew what I did was risky but I didn't know any other method then. Henceforth I will first install Easeus before trying any linux distro

[INDRANIL]

Wow Nice trick Alboguy . Good Saved in memory for future purpose . Keep it up .

[Bearcat]

Thanks for pointing that feature out Albo! I never even took notice of it until now. EPM is a great piece of software IMHO.

[Alboguy]

Thanks for pointing that feature out Albo! I never even took notice of it until now. EPM is a great piece of software IMHO.

Neither did I. I discovered it by chance.

[Bearcat]

Neither did I. I discovered it by chance.

Isn't it amazing what a person can discover, if they actually take the time to look things over? Kind of like reading the directions first!

[Raymond]

I would say that it's a good quality article/tutorial.
Clear and easy to understand.

[JayCub]

Thank you for the share Alboguy, one to keep an eye on, i only use Easeus as my partition manager and this makes for a good review

[LizardMan]

Great post Alboguy

[hyena]

Yes very useful, thanks Alboguy !

As someone who has tried a few different methods of restoring the Windows MBR, and deleting your Linux partitions whilst logged into Windows, I'd like to throw my two cents in.

There's a great little App, MbrFix, which is the first post in the thread linked to in post 1.) of this Thread, but does not exactly fall into the option, "If you can't access Windows ... ". That comes next.
I've used MbrFix a dozen times on a dualboot system (Linux / Windows) to restore the Windows MBR, and also using Easeus Partition Manager Free (Great program - ), to then Delete the Linux Partitions, and GRUB with it.

[url=http://forum.raymond.cc/linux/9367-how-to-remove-ubuntu-linux-from-dual-boot-%5Btutorial%5D.html]From: Sai Charan:[Tutorial] How to remove Ubuntu Linux from dual boot.
Some people may ask "why not just delete Ubuntu partitions?". No we can't do like this because Ubuntu installs a boot loader called GRUB into the Master Boot Record (MBR), if you delete Ubuntu partitions all the data will be deleted but not GRUB! So when your restart your PC, GRUB will look for Ubuntu , when it does not find Ubuntu it show some error and you cannot even boot into windows. So here I'm going to show you two ways to safely remove Linux.

First (Using MbrFix)

1. Download mbfix from [url=http://www.download.com/MbrFix/3000-2094_4-10485990.html]here.
2. Extract all files in mbrfix.zip to C:\.
3. Open Command Prompt (start->run-> type cmd -> OK).
4. Type cd \ and press enter.
5. Then type mbrfix /drive 0 fixmbr /yes and press enter.
6. Now you can delete Ubuntu partitions (/, swap etc) using Easeus Partition Manager or Windows Disk Management or other partition editor.
7. Restart your PC.

This will overwrite GRUB with Windows boot loader . So you will see Windows boot loader instead of GRUB.

He then goes on to explain if you can't boot Windows, (Using Windows CD)

No criticism intended to Alboguy's method, at all.
I prefer to backup the Windows MBR to a safe place.
Trusting Easeus Partition Manager will restore the MBR is legit, but nothing beats having a backup