Unable to boot into windows after removing Linux

Question

I had Linux Ubuntu and Windows dual booting from my computer. I used partition manager to remove the Linux Ubuntu partitions, now I can't get into Windows.

The machine loads in to a command prompt ( GRUB )

I think I may need to remove GRUB from the MBR and install windows Boot loader using the windows repair option

Could you please tell me how to do it ?

Furthermore, I have Windows7 Ultimate installed in the machine. Ihave lost the CD and now I have Windows7 Home Premium.

Solution 1

I think Google may have got you this answer quicker :)

Boot from the Windows 7 CD/DVD you have and choose the repair option when asked. No problems will be found, but when asked select 'command prompt' and then enter the following

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot

Give your machine a reboot and hey presto, you're back to booting straight into Windows without GRUB.

Solution 2

While @sgtbeano already answers the question, I'd like to provide some information on why this happens.

When you have a dual-boot for linux & windows, then it's linux bootloader, that's loaded when you start the computer.

Now when you un-install linux, that bootloader is gone and hence, you need to rebuilt/re-instantiate the windows bootloader.

But now, another question can be Can I ignore doing it and instead use windows 7 bootloader in the dual-boot

The answer is simply NO, you can't use windows bootloader because it doesn't recognize the linux system/os. It's also the major reason why we install linux after windows so that linux's bootloader can take-over and we can have a dual-boot with windows & linux.

Comments

[dotVezz]

I believe you need a space before the /. However, I could be wrong.

[sgtbeano]

Well spotted, that'll teach me - Thanks @dotVezz - I've edited the answer