How Can I Remove Linux from My Laptop While Keeping GRUB Intact?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of removing Linux from a laptop while retaining the GRUB boot manager. Participants explore various methods to reclaim the partition without necessitating a fresh installation of Windows and without damaging the boot manager.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about removing Linux while keeping GRUB intact.
  • Another participant suggests that removing Linux would typically require formatting the partition, which would destroy GRUB, and recommends reinstalling the Windows boot loader instead.
  • A participant recounts their experience of formatting the Linux partition, which removed GRUB and caused Windows to fail to boot, leading them to reinstall Ubuntu to restore GRUB.
  • Another participant proposes using a Windows boot CD to fix the master boot record (MBR) and suggests using Windows' built-in partition manager to delete the Linux partition and resize the Windows partition.
  • One participant explains that the MBR is small and only contains a link to the boot program, indicating that replacing GRUB with the Windows MBR is possible using various commands or tools.
  • A later reply questions whether the participant wants to keep GRUB for the purpose of trying a different Linux distribution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of keeping GRUB when removing Linux, with some suggesting it is not needed while others question the intent behind wanting to retain it. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to achieve the desired outcome without complications.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various tools and commands for managing boot records and partitions, but there is no consensus on the most effective method to remove Linux while keeping GRUB intact. Some steps and assumptions about the process are not fully detailed, leaving uncertainty about the implications of each approach.

fileen
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How do I get linux off my laptop and reclaim that partition without having to do a fresh Windows install and without damaging the boot manager (GRUB)?
 
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If you want to get rid of linux why do you want to keep grub?
Generally, the files grub uses to boot are stored in the /boot directory of your linux partition. So formatting that partition will destroy grub. If you're only using windows then I'd recommend reinstalling the windows boot loader.
This can easily be done with the Windows install cd, the SuperGrub cd, or even more easily, with Lilo.
To use Lilo, install on your current linux distro and execute the command:
lilo -M [device] mbr
where [device] is the device where grub is installed. That worked for me but no guarantees. The windows cd is the safest way to go.
 
I formatted the partition which contained linux, it removed GRUB but it resulted in failure to boot into windows. I've now reinstalled ubuntu to replace GRUB, I just want to get all that space back. I don't know how to use the windows disk to install the boot manager, but I will google it and see if I can't figure it out.
 
So what you are asking:
I dual boot windows and linux, how do I make a windows only machine from it?

You can try to use a windows boot cd and fix the mbr (master boot record) use google, then your machine will directly boot into windows. Windows has a build in partition manager, and I think you can use it to delete the linux partition and resize c:
 
As daniel says if you removed grub then it can't boot.
The MBR is only 512 bytes, all it contains is a link to which program to use on which partition. If you selected to install grub tot he mbr - all it i was replace the 'windows' mbr with one that points to the grub install in the linux partition.

You can restore a regular MBR with either the lilo or fixmbr/restore command on the linux boor disk. Or you can use the windows install cd, select rescue and then use the fixmbr command
 
Do you want to keep GRUB because you don't currently like the distro you have installed and want to try to dual boot another linux distro?
 

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