How to Remove Windows XP From a Dual-Boot System

by Mike Andrew

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If your computer has Windows Vista or Windows 7, you can store multiple versions of Windows on your computer and choose which version to activate upon startup. This feature can prevent many headaches if you have programs that run better on an older version of Windows such as Windows XP. If you have installed Windows XP on a dual-boot system and no longer need it, you can remove Windows XP in only a few steps.

Step 1

Boot your computer with Windows Vista or Windows 7.

Step 2

Format the partition of your hard drive on which Windows XP is installed; this will remove all data related to Windows XP from your computer. Click "Start," followed by "Computer" and "Manage." Click "Disk Management" under the icon labeled "Storage," and right-click the mouse button on the name of the drive partition you wish to format. Select "Format" from the pop-up menu and click "OK."

Step 3

Insert your Windows Vista or Windows 7 DVD into your DVD-ROM drive and restart your computer.

Step 4

Choose "Repair Console" from the startup screen.

Step 5

Choose "DOS Prompt" from the list of options on the pop-up menu, type "bootrec.exe/fixmbr" in the text box and press "Enter." (Do not type quotation marks in the text box.)

Step 6

Type "bootrec.exe/fixboot" in the text box and press "Enter." (Do not type quotation marks in the text box.)

Step 7

Restart your computer.

Tip

  • Always make a backup copy of all data on a hard drive before you format it. Formatting a hard drive deletes all data stored on the hard drive.

About the Author

Mike Andrew has written business and legal articles for "850 Magazine" since 2008 and covers college football for several websites. Andrew is a freelance writer, attorney and music producer based in Florida. He received his Juris Doctor from Florida State University.

Photo Credits

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