In the final couple of weblog posts, I've proven you learn how to arrange Windows 7 and Windows 8 Release Preview in a dual-boot configuration. In Dual-boot Windows 7 and Windows 8, I confirmed you learn how to arrange a dual-boot configuration by repartitioning your exhausting disk. In Dual-boot Windows 7 and Windows 8 using a VHD, I confirmed you learn how to arrange a dual-boot configuration by utilizing a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk), which may solely be carried out in Windows 7 Ultimate or Windows 7 Enterprise.
At some cut-off date earlier than October 26, 2012, you will must cease utilizing the Windows 8 Release Preview as it is going to cease working. Not precisely certain what is going to occur, however whether it is like most of Microsoft's free evaluations, one or all the following will happen: the desktop background will flip black and you will note a notification indicating that the system just isn't real, or the PC will robotically shut down each hour with out permitting you to avoid wasting any work in progress. As such, you are going to need to take away Windows 8 Release Preview out of your system.
In this text, I'll present you learn how to take away Windows 8 from a dual-boot configuration. As I do, I'll present you learn how to take away it from each the partition and the VHD strategies.
Removing Windows 8 from a dual-boot configuration must be a comparatively simple operation; nevertheless, simply to be on the protected aspect, I strongly suggest that you just again up your information information earlier than you proceed. If you adopted my directions within the earlier dual-boot articles, you must already an entire picture of your onerous disk by way of the System Image device. Even so, having a present backup of any information information will be certain that nothing will likely be misplaced if something out of the strange had been to happen as you observe the steps for eradicating Windows 8 from a dual-boot configuration.
Removing Windows 8 from the boot loader
You'll take away Windows 8 from the boot loader from inside Windows 7. So the very first thing you'll do is boot into Windows 7.
As you could know, Windows Vista, 7 and eight use what is called the boot loader structure so as to boot up the working system. In a nutshell, the boot loader structure consists of the Boot Configuration Data database and three parts:
- The Windows Boot Manager (Bootmgr.exe)
- The Windows working system loader (Winload.exe), and
- The Windows resume loader (Winresume.exe)
When you arrange a dual-boot configuration by putting in Windows 8 into an current Windows 7 configuration, the set up process creates the boot menu by including entries to the Boot Configuration Data database. Now, as the pc boots up, the Windows Boot Manager hundreds first and reads the Boot Configuration Data and makes use of the data it finds within the database to show the boot menu. When a range is made, the Windows Boot Manager retrieves details about the right way to boot that working system after which passes the data over to the suitable Windows working system loader or Windows resume loader, because the case could also be.
As part of this boot loader structure, Windows offers you with a command line instrument referred to as the Boot Configuration Data Store Editor (BCDEdit.exe), which you should use to view and edit the Boot Configuration Data database. Now, since all we will likely be doing is eradicating Windows 8 from the menu, we will simply use the System Configuration instrument. It's a lot simpler than utilizing Boot Configuration Data Store Editor to carry out the elimination operation.
BCDEdit
Even although we'll use the System Configuration instrument to take away Windows 8 from the boot loader, for academic functions, let's take a second to make use of Boot Configuration Data Store Editor simply to take a peek on the boot menu within the Boot Configuration Data database.
You have to launch BCDEdit.exe from a Command Prompt with Administrator privileges. To achieve this, click on the Start button and kind cmd within the Start search field. When you see CMD seem the outcomes pane, proper click on on it and choose the Run as Administrator command. When you do, you'll encounter a UAC and must work by way of it. Once the Administrator Command Prompt seems, simply sort bcdedit and press [Enter]. You'll then see the instructions that make up the boot menu within the Boot Configuration Data database.
In Step A, you may see the boot menu for a Windows 8 VHD. As you'll be able to see, the directions within the Windows 8 part of the menu specify the Windows8RP VHD file because the machine besides from.
This is a boot menu for dual-booting Windows 8 from a VHD.
In Step B, you see the boot menu for a Windows 8 partition. As you may see, the directions within the Windows 8 part of the menu specify the F: partition because the system besides from.
This is a boot menu for dual-booting Windows 8 from a partition.
At this level, go forward and shut Administrator Command Prompt window.
System Configuration
As I discussed, the best option to take away Windows 8 from the menu is to make use of the System Configuration device. To launch the System Configuration device, click on the Start button, and kind msconfig within the Start search field. When you see msconfig seem on the prime of the outcomes pane, simply press [Enter]. When the System Configuration window seems, choose the Boot tab and you will see that Windows 8 is listed because the Default OS and that Windows 7 is listed because the Current OS, as proven in Step C.
You can simply take away Windows 8 from the boot loader utilizing the System Configuration software.
The very first thing that it's good to do is make Windows 7 the Default OS. To accomplish that, choose the Windows 7 entry and click on the Set as default button. When you do, you will see that Windows 7 is listed as each the Current OS and the Default OS. To proceed, choose the Windows 8 entry, as proven in Step D, after which click on the Delete button.
Once you choose the Windows 8 entry, simply click on the Delete button.
As quickly as you do, the Windows 8 entry might be eliminated. When you click on OK, you may be prompted to restart your pc, as proven in Step E. Just click on the Restart button.
You'll be prompted to restart your laptop after deleting the Windows 8 entry.
When your system restarts, it should boot proper into Windows 7 - you'll not see a menu. If you want, you'll be able to re-open the Administrator Command Prompt, kind bcdedit, press [Enter], and you will see that the instructions for Windows 8 are now not on the Boot Configuration Data database's boot menu, as proven in Step F.
The Windows 8 part won't seem on the Boot Configuration Data database's boot menu.
Removing the partition
To take away the Windows 8 partition and reallocate the disk house, you may use the Disk Management instrument. To start, click on the Start button, kind Disk Management within the Search field, and press [Enter] when Create and format laborious disk partitions seems within the consequence pane. When Disk Management launches, proper click on on the Windows 8 partition and choose the Delete Volume command, as proven in Step G.
Right click on on the Windows 8 partition and choose the Delete Volume command.
When you do, Disk Management will immediate you twice to verify the Delete Volume operation, as proven in Step H. At this level, you will see that the world is now marked as Free house. If at a later date you wish to set up the actual model of Windows 8, you'll be able to depart the house as it's.
You'll see two prompts earlier than Disk Management will delete the amount.
However, if you wish to regain the area, you will right-click on the Free area and choose the Delete Partition command. When you do, Disk Management will immediate you to substantiate the Delete Partition operation, as proven in Step I.
If you wish to regain the house, right-click on the Free house and choose the Delete Partition command.
Once the partition has been deleted, right-click your Windows 7 partition and choose the Extend Volume command, as proven in Step J. When you do, the Extend Volume Wizard will launch.
Use the Extend Volume command to launch the Extend Volume Wizard.
The Extend Volume Wizard consists of three screens, that are proven in Step K. The second display will probably be stuffed in for you and usually you'll simply go along with the default settings.
The Extend Volume Wizard consists of three screens and most often you'll simply go along with the default settings.
Once the amount has been prolonged, you will see that the entire free house has been reallocated to your main arduous disk, as proven in Step L.
You needs to be proper again the place you began.
Deleting the VHD
If you put in Windows 8 to a bootable VHD in both Windows 7 Ultimate or Windows 7 Enterprise, all it's a must to do is find the VHD file and delete it as proven in Step M
You can simply delete the VHD file.
What's your take?
Have you arrange a Windows 7/Windows 8 twin boot system? Will you now take away it? As at all times, in case you have feedback or info to share about this matter, please take a second to drop by the TechRepublic Community Forums and allow us to hear from you.
