Skip to main content

Step by Step Guide : How to Uninstall Ubuntu From A Windows Dual-Boot PC


Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. Ubuntu is a fast, secure and easy-to-use operating system used by millions of people around the world. But comparing Ubuntu with Windows is far not possible. It is because of Ubuntu less compatibility & less software available for Ubuntu around the web , most of us does not like Ubuntu as our default OS and want to Uninstall it.

Ubuntu logo Step by Step Guide : How to Uninstall Ubuntu From A Windows Dual Boot PC

As explained above the same is the problem with our regular visitor Zaigham, who wants to uninstall Ubuntu from A Windows Dual-Boot PC. So here i m with a complete Step by Step guide about How to Uninstall Ubuntu safely From A Windows Dual-Boot PC.
Everyone who uses Ubuntu know how to remove Ubuntu when you installed it with wubi. But sometimes it’s hard to remove (uninstall) Ubuntu when you installed it in separate partition (without wubi).
Some people may ask “why not just delete Ubuntu partitions?”. No we can’t do like this because Ubuntu installs a boot loader called GRUB into the Master Boot Record (MBR), if you delete Ubuntu partitions all the data will be deleted but not GRUB! So when your restart your PC, GRUB will look for Ubuntu , when it does not find Ubuntu it show some error and you cannot even boot into windows. And even sometime we are not able to Delete the Ubuntu Partition via Windows Installation Disc. So here I’m going to show you two ways to safely remove Linux.
First Restore MBR (Using MbrFix)
  1. Download mbfix from here.
  2. Extract all files in mbrfix.zip to C:\.
  3. Open Command Prompt (start->run-> type cmd -> OK).
  4. Type cd \ and press enter.
  5. Then type mbrfix /drive 0 fixmbr /yes and press enter.
  6. Now you can delete Ubuntu partitions (/, swap etc) using Easeus Partition Manager or Windows Disk Management or other partition editor.
  7. Restart your PC.
or below is an alternative to Restore MBR
[Alternative] Restore MBR (Using Windows CD/DVD)
  • Boot from Windows CD/DVD and choose “Repair” when it shows up.
bootrec MBR Fix 300x232 Step by Step Guide : How to Uninstall Ubuntu From A Windows Dual Boot PC

  • Choose command prompt on the resulting screen and run the following two commands:
    • bootrec /fixmbr
    • bootrec /fixboot
  • XP users need to run the recovery console from Windows XP CD and then type fixmbr when at the command prompt.
    This will overwrite GRUB with Windows boot loader . So you will see Windows boot loader instead of GRUB.

    Delete Linux Partitions
    Next step: delete every Linux partition. That would include everything – boot, swap, home, whatever way you set up your system, it is time to delete all Linux partitions. There are a couple of ways to achieve this, easiest being from within Windows’ Computer Management. You need to:

    windows disk management Step by Step Guide : How to Uninstall Ubuntu From A Windows Dual Boot PC

    • Log in to an account with administrative privileges.
    • Right click on My Computer, click ‘Manage’.
    • Choose ‘Disk Management’ listed under ‘Storage’ and you will see all of your partitions listed there.
    spacepart 300x72 Step by Step Guide : How to Uninstall Ubuntu From A Windows Dual Boot PC

    Next, you need to identify Linux partitions. The Linux partitions generally don’t have a file system listed with them if Windows doesn’t recognize it, so this can serve as a clue. Other ways can be identifying by size or partition number. You can use partition managers, these are generally better at identifying filesystems. Go ahead, delete the partitions, just make sure you delete the correct ones. Linux is gone and its GRUB, and we had already restore our Master Boot Record (MBR). So you can easily boot from your Windows now, and if not then all you need is to just Re install it using Windows Installation CD/DVD.

    Reclaim free space
    Restart now, and you should be able to boot into your Windows installation. Once there, you should go ahead and reclaim the unpartitioned free space which was previously occupied by Linux. Doing so is simple and straight forward:
    • Fire up Disk Management as before.
    • Right-click on the unparitioned space, choose new partition or new logical drive.
    • Specify the size and other options according to your needs and you are done.
    The free space should now be accessible from My Computer like any other partition. Alternatively, you can create multiple partitions from the free space or resize existing partitions to suit your needs.You can use utilities like GParted, Easues Partition Master or any one of the many partition managers to perform such advanced tasks easily.

    I hope that the above Tutorial will help you to safely Uninstall Ubuntu Linux From A Windows Dual-Boot PC.

    Comments