Reinstalled Win7, getting dual boot options but I only want one

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  1. Posts : 6
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Reinstalled Win7, getting dual boot options but I only want one


    Last time I installed Win7 Ultimate 64, it was after I had erased all my hard drives and reformatted them. I always install Windows to my SSD (C), but last time my media drive (E) was empty so Windows put the "boot" folder in E but the rest of Windows in C as I wanted. Now that I have re-installed Windows again on C, whenever I boot up I get the dual boot screen, asking if I want to boot "Windows 7" or "Windows 7". I choose the first one and it takes me to my newly installed Windows. How can I get rid of the second dual boot option? I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that my E drive has a system tag on it in the Computer Management screen (see attachment). I don't mind if I have to reformat any of the drives, I can move my files around no problem.. just want to know what I need to do to fix this. I'm still in the early stages of setting up my apps/settings, so if I have to reinstall Windows I'd rather do it now.

    thanks..
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Reinstalled Win7, getting dual boot options but I only want one-problem.jpg  
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  2. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello lose311, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    You could use OPTION ONE in the tutorial below to delete the duplicate OS in your boot manager. :)

    Windows Boot Manager - Delete a Listed Operating System
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  3. Posts : 6
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Almost too easy.. thanks!
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  4. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    You're most welcome. :)
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  5.    #5

    I would also move the Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD - Windows 7 Forums so that it isn't dependent upon the other drive to boot.

    Once C is marked System Active, you may need to mark E Inactive. Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

    Are you sure you didn't install two Win7's? If in doubt check for a Windows folder on the other hard drives.
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  6. Posts : 6
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    gregrocker said:
    I would also move the Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD - Windows 7 Forums so that it isn't dependent upon the other drive to boot.

    Once C is marked System Active, you may need to mark E Inactive. Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

    Are you sure you didn't install two Win7's? If in doubt check for a Windows folder on the other hard drives.
    Already checked other drives.. there is still a "Boot" folder in E, but no other windows folders except the one in C. Can I safely delete the "Boot" folder in E because that was there from an old Win install?

    Anyway, I will try the other steps you mentioned.. thanks.
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  7.    #7

    You cannot delete the Boot folder from E until you move it there using the tutorial and tool I linked you before, or the OS won't boot.

    As stated E is presently booting C as signified by the System Active flags, and will continue doing so until you make the changes and confirm C is now System Active.
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  8. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #8

    In the future always unplug all other hard drives to avoid this problem.
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  9. Posts : 6
    Win 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    gregrocker said:
    I would also move the Bootmgr - Move to C:\ with EasyBCD - Windows 7 Forums so that it isn't dependent upon the other drive to boot.

    Once C is marked System Active, you may need to mark E Inactive. Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

    Are you sure you didn't install two Win7's? If in doubt check for a Windows folder on the other hard drives.
    Ok.. sorry for the delay but I finally got around to using EasyBCD to move the bootmgr to C:. But E: is still system and active. Can I mark it inactive now or is there another step required?

    Attachment of current Disk Management and EasyBCD output

    thanks.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Reinstalled Win7, getting dual boot options but I only want one-bcd.jpg   Reinstalled Win7, getting dual boot options but I only want one-hd.jpg  
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  10. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #10

    C needs the system files written to it, even though it`s marked active, startup repair may not write system files to it. If you mark E inactive, Windows on C will not boot until the system files are written to it.

    Unplugging all other drives then running startup repair is supposed to fix this, but it never works 100 % of the time.

    It can be done with Diskpart, but I would just use the Partition Wizard boot cd to mark E inactive. First you unplug any other drives, then mark it in active, the system files just magically dissapear. ( at least they don`t show up on it anymore )

    If you can never get C booting on it`s own, you`ll end up re installing windows to C

    The real experts on this will help you get the system files on C to have it boot on it`s own.
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