Windows 7: remove xp from dual-boot with win7

I succesfully installed win 7 with xp. Later i want to remove win XP and that doesn't seem to be that easy!
Here is the harddisk partition : (on a DELL PC)

- FAT 55 MB Hidden Primary
D: NTFS 93 GB Active &Boot Primary
- FAT 32 3 GB Hidden Primary
E:Graphic NTFS 101 GB None Logical
F: data NTFS 53 GB None Logical
C:Other OS NTFS 48 GB System Logical

So the C is windows 7 and D win XP
E and F are data

I know there are a lot of bright experts who can help me with this !
I'm using partition wizzard home edition.
I have also easyBCD but never used it.

thnx a lot

Two things to be aware of.
1-if xp was installed first then Windows 7 there is a boot folder in xp that win 7 needs to boot
2-easybcd is needed to fix the boot

there are tutorials for both. Just search

Ken J+

Can you please post back a screenshot of your full Disk management drive map, using the Snipping Tool in Start Menu and attaching file using paper clip in reply box?

Then we can give you the exact steps needed to remove XP from your dual boot.

In the mean time I already got rid of the dual-boot menu and i'm back in Windows 7
I show you diskmanagement but it is in flemish so I added one with partition wizard as well.

thnx a lot

This is a real mess.

Somehow between the Disk Mgmt and Partition Wizard screenshot, system was transferred to D: which is on an extended logical partition that cannot be marked active.

If you want to delete D:XP, then I would try to copy C: Windows 7 off of that extended logical partition into the deleted D: space and convert it to primary so it can be properly marked active.

In doing this, consider deleting also the two FAT partitions (after moving data) to include them in the deleted D: space where you can attempt to copy C: using Partition Wizard bootable CD. Here's how:

Back up your files and a Windows 7 system image externally.

Boot PW CD, choose 1 for screen resolution, then right click D: delete, click OK

Now right click on FAT and FAT32 partition to delete if desired, click OK

Now rightclick C: Windows 7 partition and Copy. Use Copy Wizard to copy C: into deleted D: space. If PW will not copy from an extended logical partition, undo all steps and report back.

Once copied into first partition, right click C: to Modify: convert to Primary, then Set to Active, OK. Now rightclick old C: partition to delete, OK. Apply all steps.

Now boot into Windows 7 DVD REpair console, click through to Recovery tools, run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times to repair the moved MBR.

I tried to do what you wrote down with the PW CD and everything seems to work !
I only didn't excecute yet .
Once copied into first partition is that after reboot and than again with PW CD to set partition active and then delete old C !

It looks very OK to me ! Untill now one of the best solutions I found!
Better than install Windows 7 in the XP partition ?

I'm still a little worried about the win 7 repair console ! run startup repair 3x just by rebooting?
I see on the PW CD for disk : rebuild MBR isn't that the same ?

Then I would Apply the steps to see if it will complete them.

Have not tried using PW Rebuild MBR; not sure it is for Windows 7.

Windows 7 Startup Repair is automated with all former commands to repair or rewrite the MBR. You only need to run it up to 3 separate times since it assumes the given repair will work until you return for another.

Just make sure Windows 7 partition is marked active.

If not then you can reinstall Windows 7 into the old XP space.

Be sure to back up your files and a Windows 7 Backup Image externally so you can start over if necessary.

Ok I managed to put everything on it's place. Now I have a windows.00.old file , I presume I can delete it without any problems ?

That is such a mess.

I would just backup and delete everything and start from scratch.

You probably don't need the windows .old folder - unless you need to get some of your data out of it.


Please post a screenshot of Disk Management window so we can see where you are up to now.