Solved Remove Windows Vista from Dual Boot with Windows 7

[Vokerain]

Hello,
I am trying to remove Windows Vista which is my active and main OS that came with my laptop and I had my uncle install Windows 7 for me. He had installed it onto my Recovery Drive so I had to shrink my C: (Windows Vista) and add some space to D: ( Windows 7). Now that I have the space and have been using Windows 7 for a few weeks I would like to get rid of Windows Vista but after reading some things online I do not know how to get rid of Windows Vista because of the boot files that are on them? Is it possible to remove windows Vista and then expand D: with the space that was used for Windows Vista and how would I go about doing this? I am not very technical about computers so please do give clear steps that I can follow by please.
P.S. I created another partition RECOVERY A: because Windows 7 gave me a notification that I should backup my files, but that partition is too small. So how much space should I leave for Recovery? I can not free up any more space from C: (Windows Vista) but I can free some up from my D: (windows 7)

Here are some of the images of the partitions and etc.

 

[Vokerain]

Also I am trying to get this done tonight so my replies will be almost as right away after you reply unless I'm following your instructions on doing something.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Vokerain, welcome to Seven Forums!



First things first, let's make it so you can remove Vista.


The first thing to do is mark the D: partition (Windows 7 right?) as "Active" so Windows will know where to create the new boot files needed to start Windows 7; after that you will need to run 3 separate startup repairs with a system restart between each repair to create the files to the Windows 7 partition; it's really easier than it sounds.

All the info needed to do this is in this tutorial at the link below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.


Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times

 

[Vokerain]

Is having two partition Active mess anything up? I thought I read something similiar to this question somewhere but could not recall it.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

When you mark a partition active (on the same HDD) it removes the "active" from the first partition.

 

[Vokerain]

I do not have the Boot Disks or anything to do the repairs with. What should I do? Can I continue with your guide?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

There is a link to create a repair disk in the tutorial but here is the link.


How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

 

[Vokerain]

Oh okay. I am sorry for the stupid questions I will ask.

 

[Vokerain]

okay I am still working on getting the repair disk. I downloaded the .torrent file of it but now I can't do anything with. do I just copy and paste it onto my flash drive?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Have a look at this tutorial, that file is an ISO try this.


USB Windows 7 Installation Key Drive - Create

 

[Vokerain]

Okay after I got done reading through all the links a couple of times I still can not get this done.

 

[Vokerain]

I downloaded the .torrent file made it into an iso with some final torrent thing I downloaded a few minutes ago. than I use Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool and on Step one it says invalid iso file.
On the other options when it pulls up the thing and I dont have to download it it only shows my Disc drive not my usb drive.

 

[gregrocker]

It would be best to burn the Repair disk to CD if possible. If not, easiest method I know is to use UltraISO trial version: open ISO on File tab, Write Disk Image on Bootable Tab, format, Write. Boot stick on one-time BIOS boot menu key.

If that doesn't work correctly, use this method: How to: install Windows (any version from XP to Win7) from a USB/flash drive | Featured | dotTech

 

[mjf]

Are you still booting into Windows 7
Then from the Backup & Restore Page on the the left there is the option
"Create a System Repair Disk"

This exists also with many OEM Window 7s (always has with mine).

I assume none of the above applied & that's why you are downloading an iso version?

Otherwise just make one!

 

[Bill2]

Just download a repair disk from Neosmart (Option Two below).

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I've been communicating with Vokerain by PM and he was able to burn a repair disk and get the PC booting.

 

[Vokerain]

Thanks everyone for the help I got it to work this is how it looks now.


Will I need to keep any folders like DELL, Intel, EFI, Drivers, or Perf logs? I do not know if its part of the computer drivers and components or not.

 

[Brink]

Vokerain,

Since you said that you only wanted Windows 7 and would like to remove Vista, then you could boot into Windows 7 and delete/format what you like on the Windows Vista Home partition.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again, I'm glad to see you got it runnnig and thanks for posting back.



To me, the best way to go forward is to do a partition specific wipe (secure erase) to the old Vista partition; if you have all the data you need from the partition, there is nothing there that can't be removed/over-written.

This will over-write all the data on the partition and leave the partition intact to be reformatted to be used as needed for future data storage if need be.



Download and install the free Partition Wizard software from the link below.

Partition Wizard Home Edition


Then have a look at Option Three of this tutorial for an out-line of the wipe process.

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

 

[Vokerain]

Must I make the bootable CD for PW? or may I just run the partition wizard while on windows 7? I ask this because I do not have access to a computer that can burn discs right now.