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remove windows7 00 Remove Windows 7 from Dual Boot with Vista

If you’re finished with the hype of Windows 7 or you just want to migrate to a different machine, this guide will help you remove the OS from your computer.

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Removing Windows 7 from Your Computer

To remove Windows 7 from your computer, do the following in Windows Vista:

  1. Press Start and click Control Panel
  2. In the search box, type Advanced system and click on View advanced system settings in the search results
  3. Under the Advanced tab, click on Startup and recovery > Settings…
  4. Change the default operating system to Microsoft Windows Vista and click OK
    remove windows7 01 Remove Windows 7 from Dual Boot with Vista
  5. Click the Start button, right click on Computer, and select Manage
  6. In the left pane, click Disk Management
  7. Find the Windows 7 partition, right click it, and select Delete Volume…
    remove windows7 02 Remove Windows 7 from Dual Boot with Vista

Windows 7 is now removed from your computer. You may now reclaim the partition or put it to another use.



 Remove Windows 7 from Dual Boot with Vista

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

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Comments

  • http://www.mintywhite.com RSVR85

    Finished?? I haven’t even started yet! :( lol

  • rsvr85

    Finished?? I haven’t even started yet! :( lol

  • Good_Bytes

    This solution does not really remove Windows 7 Boot option, you just hide it under the carpet.
    The real solution is to open msconfig (Vista: Start> type msconfig | XP: Start > Run: type msconfig). From there, go to the Boot tab. Select on the list Windows 7, and click on “Delete”.

    That’s it!

  • Good_Bytes

    This solution does not really remove Windows 7 Boot option, you just hide it under the carpet.
    The real solution is to open msconfig (Vista: Start> type msconfig | XP: Start > Run: type msconfig). From there, go to the Boot tab. Select on the list Windows 7, and click on “Delete”.

    That’s it!

  • Lambheart

    Hi Good_Bytes! thanks for the guide. Can I ask ur assistance? I have vista and win 7, can I install XP also in my pc? pls help…

  • Lambheart

    Hi Good_Bytes! thanks for the guide. Can I ask ur assistance? I have vista and win 7, can I install XP also in my pc? pls help…

  • Good_Bytes

    Oh boy…
    OK now it gets a bit more complicated.

    Just for self knowldge:
    The interesting thing about Vista and windows 7 is that their setup detects for other Windows and generate the boot menu for you. If you already have XP and then after the 2 other OS, it be much easier… well now it’s too late and is not worth to backup everything format and re-install… it will take you forever.

    Anyway to your question. I frankly don’t know. I have an idea, but I prefer to not share it, as I never personally test this, and don’t want to risk complication with your system.

    However, I won’t let you like this. Here is a, perhaps more interesting, solution. XP is light for our today systems. The best thing is to install Windows XP under Virtual PC 2007 SP1. This software is freely available to all from Microsoft website. The interesting thing about this method is that once you get the software installed on both Vista and Win7, and you can (from either OS) access the Windows XP anytime. A system with a multi-core CPU (2 is good enough), 2GB of RAM (giving XP 1GB for itself if you plan to run software under it), will run your main OS and XP under Virtual PC smoothly.
    To transfer files from one OS to another, a simple drag and drop (from main OS to Virtual PC XP window) is all you need. Also, you get to run your XP programs (except for games) while staying under Vista or Win7.

    I hope this alternative fits better your needs.

    In my case, I have Windows 7, and Vista on my laptop. and I have Virtual PC 2007 SP1 with Ubuntu (which I need for university) and Windows XP (my test system when someone ask me something under XP)

  • Good_Bytes

    Oh boy…
    OK now it gets a bit more complicated.

    Just for self knowldge:
    The interesting thing about Vista and windows 7 is that their setup detects for other Windows and generate the boot menu for you. If you already have XP and then after the 2 other OS, it be much easier… well now it’s too late and is not worth to backup everything format and re-install… it will take you forever.

    Anyway to your question. I frankly don’t know. I have an idea, but I prefer to not share it, as I never personally test this, and don’t want to risk complication with your system.

    However, I won’t let you like this. Here is a, perhaps more interesting, solution. XP is light for our today systems. The best thing is to install Windows XP under Virtual PC 2007 SP1. This software is freely available to all from Microsoft website. The interesting thing about this method is that once you get the software installed on both Vista and Win7, and you can (from either OS) access the Windows XP anytime. A system with a multi-core CPU (2 is good enough), 2GB of RAM (giving XP 1GB for itself if you plan to run software under it), will run your main OS and XP under Virtual PC smoothly.
    To transfer files from one OS to another, a simple drag and drop (from main OS to Virtual PC XP window) is all you need. Also, you get to run your XP programs (except for games) while staying under Vista or Win7.

    I hope this alternative fits better your needs.

    In my case, I have Windows 7, and Vista on my laptop. and I have Virtual PC 2007 SP1 with Ubuntu (which I need for university) and Windows XP (my test system when someone ask me something under XP)

  • Emmanuel Gee

    Hello Good_Bytes

    I have a workstation with windows vista 32 bit and then i installed x64 as a dual boot. Once I got everything ready to switch over, I wanted to delete the x32 partition. I have been searching for a way but none work, with the exception of what you mentioned above in msconfig. Problem now is that my computer says it has no BOOTMGR. The default and primary was the x64 partiton, can you help?

  • Emmanuel Gee

    Hello Good_Bytes

    I have a workstation with windows vista 32 bit and then i installed x64 as a dual boot. Once I got everything ready to switch over, I wanted to delete the x32 partition. I have been searching for a way but none work, with the exception of what you mentioned above in msconfig. Problem now is that my computer says it has no BOOTMGR. The default and primary was the x64 partiton, can you help?

  • Emmanuel Gee

    Hello Again,

    As a folow up I was able to repair the bootmgr with my vista disk, but it repaired both and I still have the problem of two vista operating systems. I would like to keep the x64…can you help?

    Thank You

  • Emmanuel Gee

    Hello Again,

    As a folow up I was able to repair the bootmgr with my vista disk, but it repaired both and I still have the problem of two vista operating systems. I would like to keep the x64…can you help?

    Thank You

  • Good_Bytes

    This is what I would do/think.
    Boot system was damaged somehow before you do the editing. I would create a system restore point found inside the panel “Backup and restore center” under the control panel.
    Then I would try again. if you can do a full image backup of the windows you want, then that’s even better (it just that I don’t want your system to fail because of me. A re-install is the last thing we want to do.)

    If it still doesn’t work, repair the same way you did.
    My guess is that they are both Vista, and that causes confusing at some place inside Vista. Your setup configuration is not something that is done often, therefore I would expect to see a bug… even under Windows 7. Anyway, that is just a guess. That is something that needs to be answered by the team that worked on that system.

  • Good_Bytes

    This is what I would do/think.
    Boot system was damaged somehow before you do the editing. I would create a system restore point found inside the panel “Backup and restore center” under the control panel.
    Then I would try again. if you can do a full image backup of the windows you want, then that’s even better (it just that I don’t want your system to fail because of me. A re-install is the last thing we want to do.)

    If it still doesn’t work, repair the same way you did.
    My guess is that they are both Vista, and that causes confusing at some place inside Vista. Your setup configuration is not something that is done often, therefore I would expect to see a bug… even under Windows 7. Anyway, that is just a guess. That is something that needs to be answered by the team that worked on that system.

  • Good_Bytes

    I would like to add, that perhaps this is the reason why mintywhite suggested to hide the menu rather than remove it, as it is risky as you saw.

  • Good_Bytes

    I would like to add, that perhaps this is the reason why mintywhite suggested to hide the menu rather than remove it, as it is risky as you saw.

  • JY

    Hey Good_Bytes!
    Your right! thanks so much for the info:

    This solution does not really remove Windows 7 Boot option, you just hide it under the carpet.
    The real solution …

    thanks so much for solving my problem :D

  • JY

    Hey Good_Bytes!
    Your right! thanks so much for the info:

    This solution does not really remove Windows 7 Boot option, you just hide it under the carpet.
    The real solution …

    thanks so much for solving my problem :D

  • Rich

    Thanks for all your help Good_Bytes

  • Rich

    Thanks for all your help Good_Bytes

  • shwinky

    i dont have the vista option in the drop down menu under advanced system settings. what does that mean? what can i do to get rid of 7?

  • shwinky

    i dont have the vista option in the drop down menu under advanced system settings. what does that mean? what can i do to get rid of 7?

  • elena

    hi. can anybody help me with my problem.my question may be stupid but i am not really good at comps. i had dual boot windows vista. earlier version is on disc C and the one i use now is on E. i deleted the first one through msconfig but it didn’t give me any free space on disc C. thanks

    • http://www.mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich

      @Elena – You also need to delete the files. So far you’ve just removed the operating system from the boot options.

  • elena

    hi. can anybody help me with my problem.my question may be stupid but i am not really good at comps. i had dual boot windows vista. earlier version is on disc C and the one i use now is on E. i deleted the first one through msconfig but it didn’t give me any free space on disc C. thanks

    • http://www.mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich

      @Elena – You also need to delete the files. So far you’ve just removed the operating system from the boot options.

  • elena

    Oh thanks Rich, can you guide me how to delete those files, please

    • http://www.mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich

      If you are SURE you want to get rid of the installation of Windows, you should just format the partition the OS is on. If you have other files on there, copy them off, format, and put them back on. To advise you to do otherwise would cause problems.

      However, I suggest your primary OS should be on the C or the first partition on the main drive.

  • elena

    Oh thanks Rich, can you guide me how to delete those files, please

    • http://www.mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich

      If you are SURE you want to get rid of the installation of Windows, you should just format the partition the OS is on. If you have other files on there, copy them off, format, and put them back on. To advise you to do otherwise would cause problems.

      However, I suggest your primary OS should be on the C or the first partition on the main drive.

  • elena

    Rich, i try to format but it says that windows was unable to complete the format! have i done something wrong?

    • http://www.mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich

      Elena – You will probably have to format outside the OS so it doesn’t think any files are protected. You can copy a partition to another area of free space, but this, for many, becomes complicated and can end up in total data loss. Personally, I recommend you take the DVD of the OS you want to keep, boot from it, and install it on the old partition and start from scratch. This is not the ideal way, but it’s safe and will leave you with a clean slate. Once you are up and running on the new system, you can delete the old OS on the E partition and use it for your files.

  • elena

    Rich, i try to format but it says that windows was unable to complete the format! have i done something wrong?

    • http://www.mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich

      Elena – You will probably have to format outside the OS so it doesn’t think any files are protected. You can copy a partition to another area of free space, but this, for many, becomes complicated and can end up in total data loss. Personally, I recommend you take the DVD of the OS you want to keep, boot from it, and install it on the old partition and start from scratch. This is not the ideal way, but it’s safe and will leave you with a clean slate. Once you are up and running on the new system, you can delete the old OS on the E partition and use it for your files.

  • elena

    sorry, i’ve one more question! after i get disc C formated can i copy my primary OS files on C from E as you suggested?

  • elena

    sorry, i’ve one more question! after i get disc C formated can i copy my primary OS files on C from E as you suggested?

  • chaitany

    I have a dual boot system with XP and windows7. now I want to delete XP. how can I do it?
    please help……..

  • chaitany

    I have a dual boot system with XP and windows7. now I want to delete XP. how can I do it?
    please help……..

  • webJose

    Elena STOP!!!

    The advises given to you, although well-intended, are wrong. Windows Vista remaps the drive letters. What does this mean?

    If you had, say Windows XP running on C:, and then install Windows Vista in another partition, Windows Vista will also show as installed on C:. Windows Vista remaps the letters so you are still on C:, but the C: in Vista is not the C: in XP. You must not determine the partition to format by drive letter.

    What to do? Name the volumes. Under Windows Vista, open Computers and right-click C:. Give it a name, like “MyVista”. Restart and do the same under the other OS (XP in my example above), with a different volume name, like “MyXP”. Now boot the OS that you want to keep. Open Computer and see the names associated with the letters. Now you know which drive to format by looking at the volume labels.

    WARNING!! I am googling for information on this. You see, what happened to Emmanuel Gee could happen to any of us. BOOTMGR is a tiny program in charge of showing you the boot options. This tiny program is located in the boot disk, in the boot partition. If the OS you want to remove is the one located in the boot partition, I think that will erase BOOTMGR. I am looking for information about this, but I think this is what will happen and this is why I won’t delete my Win 7, at least not yet.

  • webJose

    Elena STOP!!!

    The advises given to you, although well-intended, are wrong. Windows Vista remaps the drive letters. What does this mean?

    If you had, say Windows XP running on C:, and then install Windows Vista in another partition, Windows Vista will also show as installed on C:. Windows Vista remaps the letters so you are still on C:, but the C: in Vista is not the C: in XP. You must not determine the partition to format by drive letter.

    What to do? Name the volumes. Under Windows Vista, open Computers and right-click C:. Give it a name, like “MyVista”. Restart and do the same under the other OS (XP in my example above), with a different volume name, like “MyXP”. Now boot the OS that you want to keep. Open Computer and see the names associated with the letters. Now you know which drive to format by looking at the volume labels.

    WARNING!! I am googling for information on this. You see, what happened to Emmanuel Gee could happen to any of us. BOOTMGR is a tiny program in charge of showing you the boot options. This tiny program is located in the boot disk, in the boot partition. If the OS you want to remove is the one located in the boot partition, I think that will erase BOOTMGR. I am looking for information about this, but I think this is what will happen and this is why I won’t delete my Win 7, at least not yet.

  • raj

    thanks for the support…………good_bytes,that worked

  • raj

    thanks for the support…………good_bytes,that worked

  • Shafi

    Hello Good_Bytes
    Should we go to msconfig and change the boot options there after following the procedures mentioned in this site? or before that?

  • Shafi

    Hello Good_Bytes
    Should we go to msconfig and change the boot options there after following the procedures mentioned in this site? or before that?

  • butilike_trouble

    Hey,

    quick question. with the new windows 7 out. i have successfully dual booted 7 with vista and have no more use for vista. how do i get rid of it. is it as simple as deleting in the msconfig menu? will the bootloader on the primary partition (windows vista partition) still work?

    • http://www.mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich

      butilike: Yes, just follow this guide, but substitute 7 for Vista.

  • butilike_trouble

    Hey,

    quick question. with the new windows 7 out. i have successfully dual booted 7 with vista and have no more use for vista. how do i get rid of it. is it as simple as deleting in the msconfig menu? will the bootloader on the primary partition (windows vista partition) still work?

    • http://www.mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich

      butilike: Yes, just follow this guide, but substitute 7 for Vista.

  • company formation malta

    wow, very nice and incredible post.

  • sams

    Hi,

    I have this issue. Hope someone can help me with this.

    My windows XP gets struck after a while, showing windows progress screen.
    Then i shutdown and boot through safe mode,but no networking etc.,

    I tried through recovery option and express recovery but no use.

    How do recover those corrupted files to work in normal mode.

    Thanks, in advance.

    • http://www.mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich

      Reboot your computer, boot from your XP disc and run a repair install (press the r key from the blue XP installation screen.) If you’re still having trouble, you’ll be more likely to get help in the forums.

  • sams

    Hi,

    I have this issue. Hope someone can help me with this.

    My windows XP gets struck after a while, showing windows progress screen.
    Then i shutdown and boot through safe mode,but no networking etc.,

    I tried through recovery option and express recovery but no use.

    How do recover those corrupted files to work in normal mode.

    Thanks, in advance.

    • http://www.mintywhite.com/tech/ Rich

      Reboot your computer, boot from your XP disc and run a repair install (press the r key from the blue XP installation screen.) If you’re still having trouble, you’ll be more likely to get help in the forums.

  • Pingback: Removing Dual-Boot Partitions: Vista + Win7 - Windows 7 Center Forums

  • Sasha

    Hello,
    I tried all you’ve listed bellow and no success.Please can anybody help me with this problem? I have installed windows 7 on a fresh hard disk no other windows are no dual boot just windows 7 on my hard drive. And now I cannot format or erase windows 7 and install windows XP. Please let me know asap if anybody can help me with that.
    Thank you in advance
    Sasha

  • Sasha

    Hello,
    I tried all you’ve listed bellow and no success.Please can anybody help me with this problem? I have installed windows 7 on a fresh hard disk no other windows are no dual boot just windows 7 on my hard drive. And now I cannot format or erase windows 7 and install windows XP. Please let me know asap if anybody can help me with that.
    Thank you in advance
    Sasha

  • Jeroen

    Hey Sasha,

    There is an easy solution if you don’t have any files on your disk. (I guess not since you want to format de disk)
    Put the WinXP cd in your drive and boot up. Follow the installation steps, at the point where you have to select a place for your OS. Delete the old partitions and make a new one.

    Ofcourse I take it you have made a backup on a seperate PC with your files.

    Good luck.

  • Jeroen

    Hey Sasha,

    There is an easy solution if you don’t have any files on your disk. (I guess not since you want to format de disk)
    Put the WinXP cd in your drive and boot up. Follow the installation steps, at the point where you have to select a place for your OS. Delete the old partitions and make a new one.

    Ofcourse I take it you have made a backup on a seperate PC with your files.

    Good luck.

  • michaely

    I used the recovery console on my XP disk:
    Boot up from XP’ CD
    Wait for all the fluff to load and at the menu select R for recovery console
    Log into your XP disk/partition (Admin’s password is defualt blank, unless you set it)
    Now type :-
    fixmbr<cr>
    agree by typing y and press enter again

    Then type:-
    fixboot
    Agree with a y and another enter

    Type exit, the system should re-boot showing only XP

    HTH

  • michaely

    I used the recovery console on my XP disk:
    Boot up from XP’ CD
    Wait for all the fluff to load and at the menu select R for recovery console
    Log into your XP disk/partition (Admin’s password is defualt blank, unless you set it)
    Now type :-
    fixmbr<cr>
    agree by typing y and press enter again

    Then type:-
    fixboot
    Agree with a y and another enter

    Type exit, the system should re-boot showing only XP

    HTH


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