How to properly remove Win7, in a dual boot config

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  1. Posts : 4
    Win7 Ultimate x64, Win 8.1 Pro x64
       #1

    How to properly remove Win7, in a dual boot config


    Good afternoon.
    First off, I've been scouring Google for an answer to this (naturally including a couple tuts on this site), but most of those seem to involve a situation where 7 & 8 are installed on the same physical drive.

    My situation is this:
    Windows 7 was installed first.
    The System partition and Win 7 partition co-exist on Drive A.
    Windows 8 was later installed to Drive B, as a dual-boot option. No System partition appears to be present on Drive B.

    My intent, having fully migrated to Win8, is to permanently delete Win7. (For space, more likely for an alternate clean install of 8.1 for various purposes, or maybe to try out 10.)

    Do I:
    A) Need to move the System partition to Drive B, before deleting Win7?
    or
    B) Simply delete the Win7 partition -- leaving the System partition on Drive A untouched -- and proceed as normal?
    or
    C) Something entirely different?

    Thanks for your time.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #2
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4
    Win7 Ultimate x64, Win 8.1 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thank you.
    That was one of the tuts I read prior to posting.
    Unlike my setup described above, that tut involved 7 & 8 co-existing on the same physical drive.

    While, for the most part, it appears to be as simple as "just make sure you delete the actual Win7 partition", it is unclear if that is what I need to do in my specific case.

    My System partition is on Drive A.
    Win 7 partition is on Drive A.
    Win 8 partition in on Drive B.

    If I delete the Win 7 partition, as-is, will 8 continue to boot normally, despite the system partition being on a different physical drive?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #4

    Ahhh...I understand.

    In Windows 7 installations, it is possible to move the boot manager from the 100MB System Reserved partition to the Windows 7 partition, and then delete the 100MB System reserved partition. I'm not sure exactly how that works in Windows 8, although I suspect it will work the same.

    This is how you would do it:
    Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD

    However, let me get confirmation from the tutorial author on whether this works for Windows 8 too. Stay tuned for his reply.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    Win7 Ultimate x64, Win 8.1 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I await your response.
    I'm actually not needing to move or delete the System partition (or, rather, that's what I'm asking if I *do* need to do).

    I'm going to go out on a limb and say that: The important thing in any dual-boot config, is that you don't accidentally delete or unnecessarily modify the MBR/System partition. (That's my take-away from this so far.)

    So....in theory...I should just be able to delete the Win7 partition and proceed normally?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #6

    Niccador said:
    So....in theory...I should just be able to delete the Win7 partition and proceed normally?
    And leave the 100MB System Reserved partition alone? Yes, it should b OK.
      My Computer


  7. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #7

    Golden said:
    Ahhh...I understand.

    In Windows 7 installations, it is possible to move the boot manager from the 100MB System Reserved partition to the Windows 7 partition, and then delete the 100MB System reserved partition. I'm not sure exactly how that works in Windows 8, although I suspect it will work the same.

    This is how you would do it:
    Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD

    However, let me get confirmation from the tutorial author on whether this works for Windows 8 too. Stay tuned for his reply.
    I have never tested that but my guess would be that it does not work. Win7 has an MBR system partition and Win8 has an UEFI Efi partition. Let me review the situation a bit more. A picture of the complete Disk Management would help. Make sure that the "Status" field on the top is completely opened so that one can read all the text in that field.
      My Computer


  8. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #8

    Just a few interim answers to your questions:


    Do I:
    A) Need to move the System partition to Drive B, before deleting Win7?
    or
    B) Simply delete the Win7 partition -- leaving the System partition on Drive A untouched -- and proceed as normal?
    or
    C) Something entirely different?
    as A) No need to move that partition. If you do, you have to update MBRs, switch boot sequence in the BIOS - it's messy.

    ad B) That's what I would do. You may have trouble deleting that Win7 C partition with Disk Management. In that case use the bootable CD of Partition Wizard.

    Bootable Partition Manger | MiniTool Partition Wizard Bootable Edition

    ad C) NO - there are other possibilities, but they are complex and a lot of work.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4
    Win7 Ultimate x64, Win 8.1 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    I think you've already answered the question successfully, but here is the DiskMan shot you requested for confirmation.

    Disk 0 is my Win7 drive.
    Disk 2 is my Win8 drive (currently running).
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How to properly remove Win7, in a dual boot config-disk1.png  
      My Computer

  10.    #10

    Both OS's are being booted by System Reserved, as signified by it holding the System flag. If 8 was booting itself it would show a System flag since you are booted into it now - which we know by the Boot flag and the title border.

    To leave the Windows 7 System Reserved partition on another hard drive booting Windows 8 is not optimal.

    I would install EasyBCD to Windows 8 to move Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD - Windows 7 Forums, reboot to confirm Windows 8 drive is now System flagged, unplug the other hard drives to verify bootability.

    If EasyBCD doesn't work then Mark C Partition Active, unplug all other drives to run Run Windows 8 Automatic Repair .

    I see Mahmoud who wrote EasyBCD is here now so maybe we can get him to comment!
      My Computer


 
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