"I have absolutely no experience with Linux, and I desperately need to get my computer back and running again with Windows. How do I remove Ubuntu and reinstall Windows?"
How to Remove Ubuntu from Dual Boot (2 Steps)
If you have installed Linux on its own partition in a dual-boot configuration, there's usually no easy uninstaller that will remove it for you. Instead, you need to delete its partitions and repair the Windows boot loader manually. Here are the steps to uninstall Ubuntu from dual boot.
Workable Solutions |
Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
Step 1 - Delete the Linux Partition |
- Press Windows + R
- Locate and right-click the Linux partition
- Choose "Delete Volume". ...Full steps
|
Step 2 - Fix the Windows Boot Loader |
- Insert CD/DVD into DVD-ROM
- Click "Control Panel" on the computer screen
- Click "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)"...Full steps
|
How You Install Ubuntu on Your Computer
How you uninstall Linux depends on how you've installed it. If you installed Linux as the only operating system, you have to reinstall Windows over Linux to get your Windows system back. Suppose you install Ubuntu with Wubi. You can easily uninstall it from Windows:
- Boot into Windows and go to "Control Panel > Programs and Features".
- Find Ubuntu and select "Uninstall".
If you installed Linux to its own partition in a dual-boot configuration, you need to follow the steps below to remove Ubuntu.
Step 1 - Delete the Linux Partition (Two Methods)
To remove Ubuntu from dual boot, you need to delete the Linux partition first. There are two ways to make it: using Disk Management or a disk management tool.
Method 1. Delete Your Linux Partition with Disk Management
To run Disk Management, you need to boot into Windows 10/8/7.
Step 1. In Windows 10/8/7, press Windows + R keys to bring up the Run box, type diskmgmt.msc, and hit "Enter". Windows Disk Management window will show up.
Step 2. Locate and right-click the Linux partition and choose "Delete Volume".
Step 3. Select "Yes" to let the system complete the removing partition process.
![delete linux partition by clicking yes]()
Method 2. Delete Your Linux Partition with Software
Here is a reliable way to help do this job in just a few simple clicks with the help of professional partition manager software - EaseUS Partition Master. This software allows you to delete and remove all Ubuntu related system partitions with Windows OS running on your PC.
Your Reliable Choice - EaseUS Partition Master
- Transfer free disk space from one drive to another directly.
- Resize/move, merge/combine partitions, and check file system error.
- Clone disk, convert to MBR/GPT, convert to dynamic/basic, and even wipe data.
- Migrate OS, increase partition space, and more
Download, install this software, and activate it for deleting Ubuntu from your computer but keep Windows OS now:
- Notice:
- If you saved important data in the partition which you want to delete, move and save those data to another secure location in advance.
Step 1: Select partition to delete
On EaseUS Partition Master, right-click on the hard drive partition which you want to delete and select "Delete".
Step 2: Confirm the deletion
Click "OK" to confirm that you want to delete the selected partition.
Step 3: Execute to delete the partition
Click the "Execute Operation" button at the top corner and keep all changes by clicking "Apply".
Step 2 - How to Fix the Windows Boot Loader
After deleted the Ubuntu partition, you need to use a Windows installer disc to overwrite the Linux boot loader with the Windows boot loader. If you don't have a Windows installer disc, you can create a Windows repair disc and use it.
Step 1. Insert CD/DVD into DVD-ROM or connected external DVD drive.
Step 2. Click "Control Panel" on the computer screen, then click "Backup and Restore (Windows 7)".
Step 3. Click "Create a system repair disc" from the left column to open the repair disc creation window. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a system repair disc.
![create a system repair disk]()
Step 4. Insert the Windows installer or recovery disc into your computer, restart your computer, and let it boot from the Windows installer disc.
Step 5. After booting from your installation or recovery disc, skip the initial languages screen, and then click the "Repair your computer" option on the main install screen.
![repair your computer]()
Step 6. On the Choose an option screen, click "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt".
![run command prompt]()
Step 7. Type the command below and then press "Enter".
- bootrec /fixmbr
- bootrec /fixboot
- bootrec /scanos
- bootrec /rebuildbcd
![run the command to repair windows boot loader]()
You can now restart your computer. It will boot from its hard drive, starting the Windows operating system. If you are not familiar with CMD, you can repair MBR with software.
Bonus Tip - How to Back Up Ubuntu Data Without Booting into System
If you have important data, how can you make a backup without booting into Linux? You can run EaseUS Todo Backup. With it, you can back up files without OS. Follow the steps below to back up important data:
Step 1: Download and Install EaseUS Todo Backup on the working computer. Click "Tools" - "Create Emergency Disk".
Follow the tool to create a Windows bootable media. You are suggested to add disk, RAID, and network card driver to avoid Todo backup have trouble recognizing your hard disk or network drive in the WinPE environment.
Step 2: When it's done, insert this emergency disk to the computer that needs backing up.
Restart the PC, and Press F2/DEL to enter BIOS. Change the boot sequence, and then start the computer and run EaseUS backup software from the bootable disk.
![run from the usb drive]()
Step 3: On the main window, click "File" and choose the files or data you want to back up.
You may have a large amount of data to be protected as time goes on, such as documents, pictures, music, and videos, etc. It is always a good habit to have a backup on regular basis.
Step 4: Select a destination to save your backup file.
You'd better save the backup file in another storage media. If not, there may be a risk of the backup file getting corrupted or destroyed.
Step 5: Click "Proceed" to execute your operation.
Conclusion
You can fix the error if installing Ubuntu on Windows PC as a dual-boot didn't go so well. If you still have problems, you can contact EaseUS to get additional help.