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Removing Ubuntu and its bootloader, GRUB can be a bit confusing if you’re not familiar with how dual-boot systems are set up. If you’re looking to revert your dual-boot machine back to a Windows-only system, follow this detailed guide to safely eliminate Ubuntu and GRUB.
Understanding Your Partitions and Where GRUB Lives
Firstly, let’s break down the partitions on your internal drive:
– 350MB System Reserved (P:): This is a partition that Windows creates for system files.
– 150GB Windows 10 (C:): Your primary Windows operating system partition.
– 32GB Linux Swap: A partition that Linux uses as virtual memory.
– 150GB Linux OS (G:): Where Ubuntu is installed.
– 600GB Shared NTFS partition (I:): A data partition accessible by both Windows and Ubuntu.
GRUB is typically located in the /boot directory of the Linux OS partition. This is where the actual grub.cfg configuration file is stored, and this configuration points to the operating systems on the computer.
Why Windows Doesn’t Seem to Be in Charge of Boot
Even though you have a healthy Windows partition, it’s not the active partition because GRUB has taken over as the primary bootloader. When you start your computer, the BIOS/UEFI looks for where to hand over control. Since GRUB was installed last, it effectively becomes the boss of the boot-up process, allowing you to choose between Ubuntu and Windows at startup.
Removing Ubuntu and Restoring the Windows Bootloader
To remove Ubuntu and GRUB, follow these steps:
1. Backup Your Data: Before you proceed, ensure that all your important data is backed up.
2. Changing the Boot Order in UEFI/BIOS:
– Restart your computer and access the UEFI/BIOS settings.
– Navigate to the boot menu and look for boot order options.
– Set “Windows Boot Manager” (or a similar entry for booting Windows) as the first priority.
– Save the changes and exit.
3. Removing Ubuntu Partitions:
– Boot into Windows, and open Disk Management.
– Identify the Linux Swap and Linux OS partitions.
– Right-click on these partitions and delete them. This will turn the space into unallocated.
4. Extending Your Windows Partition (Optional):
– Right-click on the C: drive in Disk Management.
– Choose “Extend Volume” to add the unallocated space back to your Windows partition.
5. Fixing the Bootloader:
– If you have an UEFI system, removing the Ubuntu partitions might be enough, and Windows will take back control upon the next reboot.
– If your system is older and uses a legacy BIOS, or if the above step didn’t work, you’ll need a Windows installation disk or recovery drive.
– Boot from the Windows installation media, select “Repair your computer,” and then choose “Troubleshoot” > “Command Prompt.”
– Enter the following commands:
“`
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd
“`
– These commands will restore the Windows bootloader and remove GRUB.
6. Cleaning Up Boot Menu Entries (If Necessary):
– In some cases, the GRUB boot menu entry might remain.
– You can use a tool like EasyBCD or manually use the `bcdedit` command from Windows to remove any leftover boot entries.
Ensuring Smooth Transition
Following these steps should safely remove Ubuntu and GRUB, leaving you with a Windows-only system. Remember to adjust your BIOS/UEFI settings to prioritize booting from Windows. If at any point you’re unsure about a step or encounter an issue, seek the assistance of someone well-versed in computer systems or consult with detailed guides available online for your specific BIOS/UEFI version.
Removing operating systems and boot managers can be risky – take your time, back up your data, and proceed with caution to ensure you don’t lose important information or render your system unusable.
By following this guide, you can confidently reclaim your system from a dual-boot setup and return to a Windows-only environment. Happy computing!