Linux is free, open source and a great operating system, but it will not suit each one of us. So, if you installed Linux (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Kali or any other) alongside Windows 8Ā just to check it out, here’s how to fully remove it from your system and boot Windows 8 normally without entering GRUB. If you don’t know what GRUB is, it is the default boot loader for majority of the Linux distros available today.
PS: This tutorial is only for a dual-boot setup in which you installed Linux in its own partition and GRUB was pushed to the MBR.
1. Removing the Linux Partitions
The first thing to do is to remove the partition(s) where Linux is installed. You may either choose to use those partitions as a separate drive or else extend the volume of your existing drives to use up the space generated by deleting the partitions.
- Boot into your Windows install and type diskmgmt.msc.Ā Hit enter.
- Once here, identify your Linux partitions (be very careful and verify if you’re not sure). They should usually be in the ext4 or ext3 format.
- Right click on the Linux partition and choose Delete volume. Repeat this step if you have more than one Linux partition.
- Depending on your requirement, you can use this free space hence generated to extend another partition or else create a new partition.
2. Removing GRUB and reverting to Windows boot loader
Now we need to remove Linux’s GRUB boot loader and revert to the standard loader of Windows 8 with no OS selection menu. Here’s how to do that:
- Creating a USB Recovery Media – Skip if you have a Windows 8 installation media
- Boot into your Windows 8 install. Open the start screen, type recoverydrive.exe and hit enter.
- Plug in your USB Drive and click on next.
- Choose the USB Drive from Available drives and click next.
- Click on create.
- Boot into your Windows 8 install. Open the start screen, type recoverydrive.exe and hit enter.
- Restart your PC with the Windows installation media or Recovery media selected as the first boot device.
- When Windows setup loads up, choose Repair your computer.
- Click on Troubleshoot on the Choose an option page.
- Choose Advanced Options and finally Command Prompt. Type the following command in the command prompt window:
bootrec.exe /fixmbr
- After it is successfully done, restart your system and it should be good to go with Windows booting up normally š
Thank you so much. It was very helpful.
Thank you it help me to restore my windows boot
my usb is not shown in boot menu.
please help what should I do?
Nice Article. It helped me a lot.
For those who do not want to try any monkey tricks, simply type “Exit” at the Grub prompt. That will take you to the WIndows boot.
I think it might not be a good idea to delete the OS first and then the GRUB, since something bad happens, you will not be able to get into the system. Just my too cents.
I have deleted partition of ubuntu os (installed alongside windows 8.1) in disk management. I have also deleted grub…. Now I can gain access to windows temporarily from the boot menu. But it shows grub bashline error. I had already tried startup repair using windows backup originial 8.1 (already installed one) in the advanced startup and I had already tried bootrec /fixmbr and another one bootrec command. The problem is not getting solved. Please help me to normal boot the windows I have backup windows 8.1 drive
I installed Linux on a thumb drive, I just want grub gone, not everyone has a windows 8.1 disc, doubt those exist anyway
Since you need to replace the windows leader back, you need the disk. You just need to create a recovery media which is of a few MBs.
Why don’t you just go to “boot/efi/efi” and you will see files like “kali” or “ubuntu” and then just remove the file .
worked for me too, using windows 10, but I had to do an extra step (7): advanced options > startup repair: fix problems that keep windows from loading
Thank you so much……
It really helps me.
Yes, it helps to restore Windows boot.
I was able to fix by changing my default boot loader order in my system BIOS. About to wipe Ubuntu and grub partitions now.
This worked for me. Thank you!!!
Those people stuck in Grub prompt can use these 4 commands to get temporary access to thier windows partition. My windows partition 0 is in hard-disk hd0, so I have the following commands:
grub> rootnoverify (hd0,0)
grub> makeactive
grub> chainloder + 1
grub> boot
change (hd0,0) to the appropriate partition.
After which, you need ot fix MBR for which you can use ‘Fix the Windows Boot Loader’ topic in the following link –
http://www.howtogeek.com/141818/how-to-uninstall-a-linux-dual-boot-system-from-your-computer/
I don’t want to take chances. This is my main computer. (kind of, i use my Mac)
Happened to me before too. Put install win 10 usb or dvd in, chose language, then click repair computer, also then click something like startup fix, then wait. All done later!
TIP: Linux isos are smaller than Windows.
Ubuntu 14.04 LTS: 1.5GB
Windows 10: 4.9 GB
Thanks! I followed this and can confirm it works almost exactly the same with Windows 10. A few prompts differ, but the steps are the same and the USB recovery UI is shockingly good.
I also have Win 10 and it worked just fine. #nomoreGRUB haha.
I have another problem, i cant create a recovery disk using de tool from windows (in another pc), and i cant go to my computer because its just blocked at grub š help me pls
If you already uninstalled the Linux system, install it again. Then, from Linux, update grub (you can google the specifics). The Windows boot manager entry should again be visible in the grub menu at boot.
I deleted kali linux swap partion and ext4 jurnalin partion and merged the free space with a partition. Then shut the pc down without removing GRUB…
After starting then, I see : no such directory
grub rescue>
has it any solution?
You need to fix the Windows loader using a recovery disk or use your UEFI options (if supported) to temporarily boot into Windows.
Whenever, I try to reboot for UEFI it automatically goes to the BIOS after rebooting. How do I fix it?
I have Dell Inspiron3542.Following method works for me.
1.Enter in System Setup by pressing F2.
2.Select “File Browsrr Del Boot Option” &press Enter.
It will Show list of all partitions on hard Disk
3.Select Linux(BackTrack) Partition You want to Delete & Hit Enter
4.Now save all Settings by pressing F10.
Now your PC will restart and Windows will start normally.
[…] TechMesto –Ā Uninstall Linux and GRUB from Windows 8 Dual-Boot […]
Thank you, for me the procedure worked fine. Nevertheless I noticed that a small fraction of the deleted partition space has not been freed. So I assume that the delete was not completely successful.
But my computer is booting again with the Windows boot loader. If I have time I will have a closer look again.
This is not working for me.
After I’ve done this, it gives me a screen with
grub>
waiting for command.
That means grub has not been removed completely.
What should be done now?
I have the same problem. Bartender, can you help us out?
Narender, not bartender.
Oh. I know how auto-corrects call me Bartender LOL. Anyways, Leo, did you repair your Windows installation by following the steps?
I had the same problem but the last answer (efibootmgr) on the page below fixed the problem. Just remember to change the number 3 in the last command to match the number next the HD Ubuntu install on your system.
http://askubuntu.com/questions/245623/deleting-grub2-which-is-placed-in-sda-and-how-to-fix-two-ubuntu-entry-in-efi-bo
thank you! this helped me solve my issue!
I found that making sure Secure Boot (if your computer has it) makes it boot normally
[…] Some time later I continued my quest for disk space reclaiming.Ā Basically I used the procedure on techmesto.com. […]