How to delete XP from dual boot with Win 7


  1. Posts : 71
    Windows 7 64 bit
       #1

    How to delete XP from dual boot with Win 7


    Xp was installed first, then Windows 7 added as dual boot. Now no need to keep XP. However boot files are on XP partition so you cannot just delete/format the XP partition.

    So get EasyBCD 2.0 latest, you need to register but it's free.


    Check Windows Disk Management for the "system" flag.
    If it's not XP, you can go ahead and format it.
    If it is XP, use EasyBCD 2.0 latest build / Diagnostics Center/ change boot drive
    Point it at your W7 drive.
    Reboot (remember to change BIOS boot sequence if they're on different HDDs)
    delete the XP entry from the BCD using EasyBCD
    format XP

    I know it works because I have just done it.

      My Computer


  2. Posts : 84
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and Window 10 Pro (dual boot)
       #2

    Hi everyone

    Found this thread which appears to be interesting considering I am looking at just possibly moving to Windows 7 only and removing XP. Fergeit assures us that it does work and I'm not questioning that statement. However, it would be rather nice to hear from someone such GregRocker or some of the other W7 wizkids on this forum as to what they think of the method described - would they endorse this method or would they recommend what seems to be the recognised method of using BCDEdit and doing three Repair Installs(!!!)?

    So come on chaps. What would you do? Fergeit has taken the trouble to post his experience but to give those of us still to go through this process a chance of making up our own minds, please give us the benefit of your experience: just what should we do if we want to move to Windows 7 only and remove XP (where XP was installed first, of course)?

    Tracey
      My Computer

  3.    #3

    Hi Tracey -

    The given method will work, however to be certain in your case please post back a screenshot of your full Disk Management drive map using Snipping Tool in Start Menu, attaching file using paper clip in Reply Box.

    Also advise if you would like to recover the XP disk space into Win7 in addition to the System Active MBR as is required.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 84
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and Window 10 Pro (dual boot)
       #4

    [IMG]file:///O:/Users/TraceyW/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG]Hi GregRocker

    Thanks for your response.

    To be honest I was only asking if the method used by Fergeit was the best way or whether I should use what SEEMS to be the recognised way of doing it, i.e. a Repair Install three times(!). Nevertheless, I've uploaded a screen capture of my Disk Management window and as you can see, currently the system disk is the XP drive (C). From what Fergeit has said, and from other things I have read on Windows7, this must be transferred to the Win7 drive (O) in order to retain the boot files/information. Again from Fergiet's experience, this can easily be done using EasyBCD. I really just wondered what your thoughts on it were.

    How to delete XP from dual boot with Win 7-traceywdiskmangt.png

    I think, however, I would want to go a little further than Fergeit and change drive O: to drive C: which I believe MAY be a little more awkward. I MUST stress though that I haven't made up my mind to actually DO this just yet but I feel the time will come maybe in the not too distant future when I shall want to change to only Win7 as I'm using XP only very rarely now. Even the main program I use in XP will be replaced very shortly with one which is Win7 compatible so I'll have even less need to access XP (luckily the vast majority of my programs work in Win7, even one I have that was written for Win 3.0/3.1!).

    Anyway, any help you can give on any of these points would be welcome. Thank you.

    Tracey
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    Can we also see the Disk Management Drive Map to see how the partitions are laid out?

    As I haven't tried the method you reference, I can't recommend it. I do know we have helped hundreds of users remove Dual Boots here and the method which works best (and has never failed) is to mark the Win7 partition active and resize it into deleted XP space using free Partition Wizard bootable CD. Then boot the Win7 DVD Repair console, or Repair CD into Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots to write the MBR to Win7.

    Always back up your files externally or to a secondary HD as Resizing operations can fail, although it hasn't happened yet with those we've helped here. You can also back up a Win7 image using Macrium Reflect Free - Reviews and free Macrium Reflect Free downloads at Download.com, since Win7 Backup imaging will want you to include XP as long as it is System Active drive.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 84
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and Window 10 Pro (dual boot)
       #6

    Hi GregRocker

    Sorry 'bout that. I've now uploaded my disk map. As for backing up my disks, I do that every week as well as when I make any very significant changes to my Windows partitions. My preferred package is TrueImage Home 2010. However, if I was going for one of the freebies, rather than Reflect I'd use Easeus Todo Backup as it works in a way I'm used to. In the end though I went back to TrueImage as it produces smaller files. You can rest assured though, before I do anything such what I am proposing now, I'd do a backup.

    How to delete XP from dual boot with Win 7-traceywdiskmap.png

    Tell me though. Why does it take three goes with a Repair Install to rebuild the the MBR?

    Thanks for your help.

    Tracey
      My Computer

  7.    #7

    Startup Repair assumes certain repairs work until you come back for another. It attempts to Repair MBR first and then eventually rewrites it.

    This is pretty straightforward as they go: Boot PW CD, select 1 for screen res, rightclick XP to delete, OK.

    Then rightclick Windows 7 to Modify>Set Active, OK. Now rightclick Win7>Resize>Drag left grey border all the way to the left, OK. Apply all Steps.

    Now boot into Win7 DVD Repair console or Repair CD, click through to Recovery Tools list to run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots until Win7 starts, which it will as long as it is marked active.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 84
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and Window 10 Pro (dual boot)
       #8

    Hi GregRocker

    Thanks for the info. As it happens I've had PW installed since I first installed Windows 7 back in December. I also have a bootable PW CD. I might also add that I've had reason to use it as well - not for MY pc but a friend's which became infected with a virus I couldn't get rid of and I had to recover the pc to factory defaults. I had to use PW to return the partitions to their original sizes so it would do what I wanted. I eventually managed that, restored his data (having I'd backed it up before starting ANYTHING) and he was well pleased I'm glad to say.

    Anyway, thanks for the info and I don't think it's beyond my ability to do what you have suggested - I've just got to make the decision to go for it. If I have any problems I'll be back. Thanks again.

    Tracey
      My Computer


 

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