How do I remove Ubuntu from a dual boot without a Windows or Ubuntu CD?

Question

I am running a Dell E6400 laptop computer, with limited hard drive space and need to recover the hard drive space used by Ubuntu.

At a later date I wish to install Ubuntu to an external hard drive so that I may continue to utilize the versatility of Ubuntu.

How do I remove Ubuntu and recover its partition space?

Solution

Warning: This may not work with UEFI / EFI / Windows 8 or Wubi setups.

1. Run these command in a terminal:

   sudo apt-get install lilo
   sudo lilo -M /dev/DEVICE
   

   (Replace /dev/DEVICE with the path to your disk with Ubuntu, without a number, e.g.: /dev/sda)

2. Reboot. At this point, it should boot straight into Windows.

3. From Window's Disk Management program, delete the Ubuntu partitions. (they should be shown as partitioned "Free Space".)

Comments

[fleamour]

What version of Windows?

[Wilf]

Sorry, it may work, but how does install LInux LOader help? Does it replace Grub or something?

[kiri]

@wilf: Normally, Ubuntu uses GRUB. GRUB requires supporting files on a Ubuntu partition. LILO doesn't need any extra files and can sit happily in the MBR chainloading Windows without anything extra needed. Yes, it does replace GRUB.

[Wilf]

Tiny bit weird, understandable + useful...