Do I Need to Take Any Special Steps to Format a Dual Boot System?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of formatting a dual boot system consisting of Windows 7 and Ubuntu, specifically focusing on the steps required to reinstall both operating systems. Participants explore the implications of formatting partitions, the potential risks involved, and the methods for managing partitions during the installation process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the need for special steps when formatting a dual boot system and expresses concern about whether the format will delete both operating systems.
  • Another participant warns that formatting typically affects only one partition and suggests that reinstalling Windows may lead to complications with the existing Ubuntu installation.
  • Some participants clarify that if the intention is to erase both operating systems and start fresh, it may require deleting the Ubuntu partition first.
  • There are suggestions for using a custom install of Windows to modify and format partitions, while also noting that leaving the Ubuntu partition intact may simplify future dual boot setups.
  • One participant raises the possibility of deleting the Ubuntu partition using Windows disk management, questioning whether this is feasible.
  • Another participant recommends using a Linux live CD, such as gparted, to manage partitions effectively, including deleting the Ubuntu partition and resizing the Windows partition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether to keep the Ubuntu partition during the Windows installation process. Some suggest it may be beneficial to leave it intact for future dual booting, while others advocate for deleting it entirely to create a single partition for Windows. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to take.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the capabilities of Windows disk management with Linux partitions and the potential risks involved in formatting and partitioning operations. Participants emphasize the importance of backing up data before proceeding with any formatting.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for users considering a dual boot setup or those looking to format and reinstall operating systems on a laptop with existing partitions. It may also benefit individuals interested in partition management techniques and the implications of dual boot configurations.

EngWiPy
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I have a dual boot laptop: Windows 7 and Ubuntu. I would like to format my laptop, and install a fresh copy of Windows 7, and install the new version Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS. My question is: do I need to do any thing special? Usually, when I start my laptop I press one of the F keys (I forgot which one), and then format the hard desk by following a wizard. But this the first time I will do it with a dual boot system, and I wonder if it's the same process, and the format will delete both operating systems. Thanks in advance
 
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Overall, the operation you are suggesting is hazardous.

Generally, "format" operates on only one partition. Whereas "fdisk" operates on the whole volume.
So, to your specific question, so long as you can specify the partition, "format" itself should be OK as long as you specify the right partition.
So, if you are executing out of a CMD prompt, and you enter "format C:" it will format the intended partition.

... BUT

Getting the Windows operating system back onto that drive may not be possible. The normal install procedure involves several reboots, and in each case, it may boot into Ubuntu. So you may have to reinstall everything.

Certainly, your first steps will be to back up all your data in the most convenient form possible and make sure you have a Windows recovery disk.
Then you can start your experiment.

Your back-up position will be to install everything from scratch - following instructions posted on web sites such as this one:
http://www.linuxandubuntu.com/home/how-to-dual-boot-windows-7-and-ubuntu
 
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I understood that the format process will only erase everything on the Windows partition only, but not Ubuntu. Is that what are you saying?

I want to install everything fresh. I want to erase both Windows and Ubuntu, and reinstall fresh copies for both. That's what I want to do. Is this dangerous? Maybe I wasn't clear in my question, I am not sure.

Are you saying I need to delete Ubuntu first, before I start formatting everything in the hard desk?
 
I am saying that you can attempt to reload Windows without touching Ubuntu, but be prepared for a wreck. It may or may not work.
So be very very prepared.
 
But I don't want to keep Ubuntu. What do you mean by "be prepared for a wreck"? Is it possible that I won't be able to use my laptop again if things got messed up? I just want one partition for Windows now, and later I am thinking to add another partition for Ubuntu. But I am not trying to keep the current Ubuntu and reinstall Windows only.
 
During initial install of Windows you can do a custom install. That will allow you to modify the partitions and format them. You should leave the partitions as they are except for formatting the Windows one. Once you finish the install you will have new fresh Windows on one partition and old Ubuntu on another.

The Linux system may or may not be accessible due to the boot menu from Windows. You can disable it if you want. The procedure for that varies depending on the Windows version.

On reinstalling Ubuntu you can replace the boot menu and dual boot. That should be an automatic selection in the installer.

The reason you want to leave the existing Linux partition is that resizing partitions after using them can be a pain. Just leave that area as dead space until you want to use it.

BoB
 
So, I have to leave Ubuntu at first, and just format the Windows' partition? Isn't there a way to format both Windows' and Ubuntu's partitions at once, and have an empty hard desk?
 
You can format the Ubuntu partition using the windows installer but it will not be the right format. If you want to use that space for something else until the new Linux install then that is the way to go.

I highly recommend leaving the two partitions as that will make it much easier to go back to dual boot.

BoB
 
Cannot I just delete the Ubuntu partition using desk management from inside Windows, and return all the hard desk space to Windows, and then do the format?
 
  • #10
I'm not sure if the Windows 7 disk manager can handle Linux partitions. Otherwise, you could use the gparted live cd, which is a Linux live cd.
You can download the iso file from https://gparted.org/liveusb.php and put it on a usb pen drive. You can then boot from the pen drive, and use the graphical partition to remove the Ubuntu partition and expand the Windows one. You can also format the Windows partition.
I used the live cd many times without any problems.
 
  • #11
It's illustrated in this video.
 
  • #12
EngWiPy said:
It's illustrated in this video.

Well, in that case, I don't think it should be any problem. But, you should of course do a backup first.
 
  • #13
Of course, because I will be formatting the Windows after.
 

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