Windows 7: How to install Win 7 Over Ubuntu 10.10?

Does any one know how to install Win 7 over ubuntu 10.10? I have tried booting from the disc (has a trial on it) but it says something like one of the drives are missing i.e. a usb or disc or something. Can anyone help??? Thanks.

Windows 7 enthusiast

Hello W7enthusiast Welcome to the SevenForums!

In order to change OSs on the drive there you will find need to remove or reformat the VFat type journaling file system ext2, 3, or 4 partition(s) presently on the drive to see a new NTFS primary created. GParted will remove the Linux root and swap if present partitions since you are likely familiar with the drive tool.

Once you have a "raw" drive unallocated you have the option to create one or more NTFS partitions for 7 to use. If you elect to use the drive tools included with the 7 dvd through the installation a second 100mb system reserved partition will be seen at the front of the drive holding all boot files and the BCD store(7 boot loader and info).

If you elect to use GParted while booted live to create a new primary(or split the drive) you can select "ntfs" from the dropdown list of file systems when going to format the drive afterwards. Windows 7 will then simply install direct to the drive lacking the 100mb system reserved and see all boot files at the root of C.

The MS design with 7 for seeing the 100mb boot partition serves to protect the boot files from malwares as well as accidental deletions of your main boot files. Certain drive cleanup tools, unintended mishap by novice users, etc..

First make sure you have the latest BIOS update, or reset the CMOS: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/tp/clearcmos.htm

In BIOS setup, set SATA controller to AHCI first, then IDE if necessary later.

Wipe the HD of all Linux code before installing Windows 7: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

If this fails, post back or Google the exact wording of error message.

I don't believe W7enthusiast is looking to dual boot but replace ubuntu with Windows 7.

One thing to note about Asus boards is they usually won't see a bios option for choosing between AHCI and Native ide as seen with other manufacturers. The user manual for the particular model board should be looked over on this.

Or they have more than one like the P6T, which has one in the "main" menu for the controller which comes with the ICH10R and one in the "onboard devices" (if I don't go wrong) for the jmicron one. Melius abundare quam deficere

Anyway I second what has already been said: being ext4 the default file system used in Ubuntu 10.10, the partition(s) on which Ubuntu was installed (generally more than one as it's common usage creating a partition for / and a partition for /home, plus the swap) have to be completely deleted before you attempt running the Windows 7 installer. Make sure you have backed up all your data before you proceed wiping them.

Other than that, I don't see anything different than a clean install in this case

Mainly I've been working with the AMD model boards they and why I suggested looking over the user manual's bios setup section to see what it shows for that model. That's actually the best thing to be familiar with regardless of who makes a board since each may feature different options according to the bios used with Award typically seen with Asus.

As for the repartitioning if only one large root was seen and that was a primary a simple reformat to change the file system would be all that was needed to run the Windows installer. But with the auto install process featured in the latest 10.10 as well as some previous releases the entire is set up by that OS's own installer making the wipe a necessity when going to change the OS.

Once you have 7 on W7enthusiast you can still run 10.10 by either later setting up a dual boot or running it on a VM with a program like VirtualBox. That allows you to also look over other releases on a 7 host.

Windows 7 enthusiast, welcome to Seven Forums!



It is not necessary to use 3rd party software to do a wipe (secure erase) to a HDD, using the Windows installer to boot to diskpart will do it natively; be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media; use Step One of this tutorial at the link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive, running this then using the outline in Step Two #2 to create and format a single 100GB partition using diskpart will get you the best possible space to clean install Windows 7 to.


SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

All Linux code must be deleted.As you have had linux on the HD you need do a Clean all & full format.
Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

Do a full clean & full format in command prompt.
1) Boot DVD & Press Shift+F10 (for command prompt)
DISKPART : At PC Startup

2) Boot DVD, & Command Prompt at Startup
(for command prompt)

Type in command line
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (win HD)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT fs=NTFS
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Watch out using the "Clean all" command if you have more then one drive plugged in at the same time. "Good bye everything!" in just one command!

If the ubuntu disk you burned also includes a live demo mode you can still opt to use a familiar tool if you would prefer not to use the command prompt method. The command clean all should be substituted for "clean" instead once you have the correct drive selected when using DiskPart. It wouldn't make sense backing things up to a second drive and then using a command that nukes them all!

The problem with the clean command is it does not over-write the old Linux code that is causing the issue it just removes the format code and that is not at all the same thing as the clean all that over-writes everything.

As with any method care must be taken to select the correct target HDD to start with.



If a partition-specific wipe (secure erase) is needed then Option Three outlined in this tutorial at the link below is the best method for that.

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD