If I uninstall ubuntu, will Windows Boot Manager still be there?

Question

I want to get rid of my Ubuntu partition, because I never use it on my laptop, only on my desktop.

If I remove Ubuntu (I'm assuming GRUB will go with it), will Windows Boot Manager still allow me to boot into Windows, or will I need to do something else?

Solution

Removing Ubuntu must be done carefully because you might mess up things with booting Windows.

If you simply delete the Ubuntu partition (assuming you have a Windows partition, an Ubuntu partition and a swap partition), Grub will most probably still be there but be messed up, not allowing you to boot Windows.

Look here: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-safely-uninstall-ubuntu-in-windows-dual-boot-environment/

In short:

1. Boot Windows

2. Delete Linux partitions from within Windows

3. Restore MBR (to remove Grub and install the Windows bootloader) using bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot

4. Recover the space left by the Ubuntu partitions by creating a new NTFS partition or enlarging the Windows partiton.

Comments

[nanofarad]

Did you install Ubuntu using Wubi, or with the live CD installer?

[Deepak Verma]

I believe there are some problems with your answer. First, you can't run bootrec from Windows, you need to run it from a bootable windows CD/DVD or repair disk. Also, I think there are different procedures for XP and Vista/Windows 7 according to Microsoft's website.

[Curious Apprentice]

This is the easiest way to remove ubuntu and restore Windows bootloader without messing with command line.

[ChanganAuto]

Not applicable to old BIOS computers of the same vintage as this question.