How to remove old Windows XP from your computer. Guide to removing Windows XP from your computer. Deleting restore points

This question has been raised more than once on forums by various Internet users who communicate with a computer. I will answer this question for you right away. You cannot simply remove an operating system, be it Windows 7 or 8.

The fact is that to remove the OS, you need to format the hard drive, and installing another operating system on top of the system is not very good, as it can lead to cluttering the system and further slowing it down.

Attention. Do not forget that all documents, photographs, and other information that was located on the system disk will be deleted. Therefore, before formatting the disk, transfer all necessary information either to another partition of the hard drive, or to a flash drive. It is very important. If you have one system drive, then it's time to split it. how to divide using the program.

Removing Windows XP

This operating system can be completely replaced with a new one thanks to the XP boot disk. The fact is that before you start installing XP, you can easily format the disk, after which everything will be installed anew on a clean hard drive.

To do this, insert Windows XP into the drive, wait until the Windows Installer shell loads, and press the F8 key to agree with the regulations.

By pressing the F8 key, you will be able to select the disk on which the OS will be installed, but before that you can format it.

If you were able to get to formatting the disk, it means reinstalling Windows XP won't give you much trouble.

Removing Windows 8 and indeed any OS

In principle, any operating system can be removed using Hiren's BootCD.

It is also worth remembering that after deleting all information from the disk, you will have to install a new Operating System, if you know how to do this, then let's learn how to erase all information from the hard drive.

1. We will need to download and install the program "Hiren's BootCD"

2. We need to write the downloaded image onto a disc. .

3. If the recording was successful, there is a boot disk in your drive that can be loaded BEFORE loading any operating system. Just restart your computer and you should be able to see the following shell

4. There’s just a little bit left, or rather to launch the shell Mini Windows Xp

By launching the Mini Windows shell, you will be able to delete absolutely any information from hard drives, including various viruses. Next we need to open the My Computer icon, here we can see our hard disks, and all the files stored on it.

If Windows is installed on drive C, and you no longer need the necessary data, right-click on the drive and then select “Format”.

That's all. Now you have a clean hard drive on which you can install a new operating system.

A pressing question for many, from the computer. Its presence is indicated by the operating system selection window when the computer starts. When only one system is used, it is better to remove the other to free up space.

A computer may contain 2 or more operating systems; the choice from the available ones is made before starting. Quite often, maintaining several systems, especially on one logical drive, provokes problems, so the computer can slow down, and sometimes there are problems with user profiles. In general, the stability of such an OS is much less than a single installation of Windows.

How to remove a second Windows system?

The key method, provided by the manufacturer, of how to remove a second Windows 7 or 8 is to use a special tool located in the system configuration. This way the choice will be removed when turning on the PC, that is boot record erased, although personal data will still remain.

1. Press Win + R and type the word msconfig, then Enter;

Among the listed systems, select the one that should remain and click on “Use as default”;

Highlight unnecessary system and click on “Delete”;

1. The computer must be restarted.

After turning it back on, the option to select a different OS will disappear. If the problem is only the inconvenience of choosing a system, then you should specify a minimum waiting time, then the system itself will select the default version. Tune this function you can if you go to:

1. RMB on “Computer” and “Properties”;
2. Click on the “Advanced options” link;

Choose standard Windows and set the time for selection to about 3 seconds.

How to completely remove a second Windows operating system?

In the previous version, we only eliminated the ability to start the OS, but the question of how to remove a second Windows from a computer was not fully resolved, since all the system files remained. Now you need to clean the system to free up a lot of free space.

To format a disk, you must first make sure that the target partition is selected. Its structure is identical system disk, this also contains the basic Windows folders, Program Files, etc. Usually the letter C is reserved for the main system, so the second OS will have a different identifier.

1. Click on Start, then “Computer”;
2. RMB on the target partition and click on “Format”;

1. If there is no special need, then leave the parameters as standard.

How to remove a second Windows 10?

Remove second operating room Windows system 7, 8, 10 can be done using the “Disk Management” section. The principle remains the same, the remaining OS activity should be cleaned up and the freed memory should be returned to an active state.

1. Click on Start and “Control Panel”;
2. Click on the “Administration” tile;

1. Now you should select “Computer Management”;
2. Among the list on the left side is the item “Disk Management”;
3. RMB for the section that contains unnecessary Windows;
4. Select "Make partition inactive";
5. Again RMB and “Delete Volume”.

Now the partition is completely deleted, and the remaining space after the volume remains unallocated. Therefore, it cannot be used for now. To gain access to the space, you need to create a volume; this is done by right-clicking on the unallocated space and selecting “Create a simple volume.”

After assigning a logical drive letter, you can write to it. necessary information without any restrictions.

You should know that if you uninstall the main Windows, the mbr will also be removed. This entry is required to start the OS and will need to be overwritten. The process of transferring an mbr partition has already been described earlier, so it will not be discussed in detail. We only note that you need to have installation media with the system. Then, after starting from it, select “System Restore”, the problem will probably be automatically found and fixed, otherwise you will have to manually transfer the entry.

Sometimes it becomes necessary not only to form the resulting space in a volume, but to add it to another section. Alas, but this procedure, within the framework standard means Windows will definitely affect the information, that is, the disk will be formatted. But if you use third party programs such a possibility exists. A good example profile application is AOMEI Partition Assistant. The program is also capable of moving free space between already formed volumes without losing data.

This completes the removal of the second Windows, and after clearing the traces, it will remain only in memories. You can delete an unlimited number of systems in exactly the same way.

If you still have questions on the topic “How to remove a second Windows from a computer?”, you can ask them in the comments

It is easier and more expedient to remove the Windows XP operating system using regular formatting hard drive. When we insert Boot disk or a flash drive into the computer and boot from it, having reached the formatting phase, we delete all existing disks and system reserved partitions and, in fact, format it.

• First, we need to boot into the BIOS settings and select the boot order from disk there.
• To get into BIOS you need to press the key while restarting the system Del or F2 . But it could be another key. Learn more about how to load the settings menu BIOS Or maybe on the manufacturer's website motherboard computer.
• In chapter BOOT settings BIOS and switch the boot priority from a disk or flash drive.
• Reboot the computer again and proceed to remove Windows XP.
• Having reached the disk selection point for Windows installations delete all existing partitions and then format HDD in mode NTFS.

To understand the fundamental difference between NTFS quick formatting and regular formatting. At quick formatting Only the table of contents on the hard drive is cleared; the information itself has not gone away. In the process of recording new information, the old one is deleted and new information is written in its place. After such deletion of files, it is possible to restore them, provided, of course, that no new files were written. Normal way Formatting is the complete removal of all existing information on a hard drive, on which zeros are written to all sectors instead of the information contained on it. After such formatting, it is no longer possible to restore the data.

Beforehow to demolishINIndians XP make surethat there are no important documents there, the processirreversible.

How to remove a second Windows XP

But there are times when more than one Windows XP OS is installed on the computer. This happens to novice users who are trying to install/reinstall Windows for the first time. When a formatting item is simply skipped due to inexperience or inattention, and Windows becomes on top of the old one, while occupying a fairly decent amount of disk space. And in the process of work, when there are already some files on the computer and the next reinstallation is not very convenient. How to remove Windows XP in this case? And how to get rid of the notorious system selection record at boot?
Depending on the location where the second Windows was installed, the methods for removing an unnecessary operating system will also differ. If both operating systems are on different drives, for example, one on the C: drive, the other on the D: drive. Then unnecessary Windows can be simply removed from the Windows graphical environment by simple formatting.

• Select the disk with unnecessary Windows and click on it right key mice.
• Here you need to select “ Format».
• And all that remains is to exclude the entry about choosing Windows at boot.

Removing Windows selection entry at boot

• On the label " My computer"Right-click and select " Properties».
• Switch to the tab " Additionally"select the working OS, and uncheck the section " Display a list of operating systems».

• Now, when loading the OS, the window with choosing Windows will not appear, but the desired OS will launch immediately.
• Next, open the system configuration using the key combination Win+R .
• In the utility window " Execute» write the command ( msconfig ).
• Switch to the tab BOOT.INI and here we select the line with the operating system that needs to be deleted and click on the button “ Check download paths«.
• A message will appear that the entry does not indicate the operating system; confirm deleting the entry.

Completely remove Windows XP

There is another extreme way to remove Windows XP from a computer, this is removal via command line. The command for this is:

• Launch the command line via the " Start» - « All programs" - « Standard" -« Command line".

We enter the command and watch for a while how quickly they are deleted Windows files, when finished you will need to restart your computer. That's it, the operating system has been removed, we can now only see a message on a black screen about this.

Attention: both operating systems will be uninstalled if they are installed on the same local drive.
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If you installed a new Windows operating system (any version), now when you try to turn on your computer, you probably first see a menu with the choice of the desired OS. This occurs if the hard drive has not been formatted. To prevent this from happening again, just delete unnecessary version and there will only be one version of Windows left on the computer.

Formatting a partition is the simplest and most obvious way

This is an easy way to remove a second operating system that you no longer need. The point of the procedure is to format the partition containing the extra operating system on the hard drive.

Before starting any action, download information that is important to you on removable media or to one of the hard drives.

How to understand which one Windows folders should I keep it, and which one should I keep? For these purposes, go to the Start menu and select “Run” there. You need to enter the following command into the line - %windir%. Now click "OK". As a result of your actions, a folder will appear. You need to remember it - this is exactly the folder that cannot be deleted. It may look like this: “C: Windows”. This working folder you can neither delete nor move to other partitions, otherwise the operation of the entire system will be disrupted and you will have to roll back.

Reboot the system and make sure that the second OS is no longer there. If, when trying to format a disk, the system gives an error, then you can try using additional utilities for such operations, for example, the Acronis Disc Director program. It needs to be downloaded, installed and launched. It will delete everything itself, and then automatically reboot the system.

How to remove unnecessary OS from boot

This instruction is suitable if you have seven or eight installed. It happens that the second operating system, namely its files, no longer exists, but it appears in downloads. To remove Windows from boot, follow these steps:

Now the download will start from that Windows versions, which you decided to leave.

How to remove seven or eight if you upgraded to ten

If you decide to upgrade to latest version Windows, then at the same time you need to clear the disk space. But do this only if you are completely satisfied with the new version of the OS and do not intend to return to older versions.

Usually, a standard utility for deleting old (temporary or junk) files is sufficient for these purposes. For example, CCleaner. But if the previous version is still taking up space, then follow the steps that will remove the remnants of the old OS completely.

1. Go to the taskbar and search for “Disk Cleanup”. Select the desired shortcut.
2. In the tab, mark all temporary data and enable the clear function.
3. To delete data from the previous system, click on the “Clear” option system files" It is located at the bottom left.
4. You will need to select the disk on which the old operating system is located.
5. When you see all the files you need to delete, there will be a “Previous” item. Windows installations" This is the item you need to select.
6. Clean and reboot the computer.

After these steps, roll back to previous version Windows is already very difficult, so make sure you decide to stick with Windows 10 for good.

How to remove old Windows without programs

Let's say you have Windows XP, and you are happy with it, but Windows 7 is interfering. Maybe it’s the other way around - we’re happy with Seven, but we don’t like XP. In any case, how to remove an old, unnecessary operating system?

This method will allow you to remove the old version without using programs - manually.

After this, Windows.old will be deleted as a regular file folder.

How to edit boot.ini

If it's not about Windows Vista or seven, then the loading of the operating system begins with the boot.ini file. It is written in it:

• wait information when download option is selected;
• information about the operating system that is turned on first by default if the choice is not made by the user:
• Extra options.

Thus, one of the ways to remove the old operating system is to change the boot.ini file.

As always, we start by loading into the version of the operating system that should remain the only one on the computer.

1. Find “My Computer” on the desktop and click to open the characteristics.
2. Select “Properties” - look for the “Advanced” option.
3. Next we find “Download and Recovery”. Click on “Parameters”.
4. In the new window, select “Edit”. The boot.ini file will open using Notepad. It is very advisable at this stage to save a copy of this file just in case and put it on one of the disks. Don't forget to rename it - Boot.old. Now you can forget about the copy and return to the boot.ini file for editing.
5. Find a line in the file indicating that the menu displays two operating systems to choose from. It needs to be removed.
6. Now let's save the changes we just made. Click “Save As”, keeping the name as it was originally.

Close all tabs and restart your computer. Now there will be only one operating system.

How to remove unnecessary Windows XP?

Windows XP has its own characteristics, which must be taken into account when uninstalling.

We boot into the operating system that we plan to keep.

1. On the “My Computer” icon, look for the “Properties” option using right button mice.
2. Now find “Advanced”. There will be a “Options” function.
3. We mark the operating system that we plan to remove and confirm our actions.
4. Let's go to the section where the old Windows is located.
5. Delete Windows folder, edit with program files and Documents and Settings. There will be pop-up warnings indicating that these are system files and that they are read-only. You can safely ignore them and continue deleting.

Now all that remains is to edit the boot.ini file, because when you boot your computer you may still see two operating systems to choose from.

Windows.old removal video

If you still have any questions about deleting this impressively sized folder, watch the video.

The Windows 7 removal process has many nuances and features. As well as further installation newer OS from Microsoft. To carry out this activity, you must not only have the distribution kit, but also have the ability to make changes to the BIOS settings.

What is needed for removal?

In order to completely remove the OS from a laptop, you must first save all important files to some kind of media (USB flash drive, portable hard drive). Since to perform complete removal a formatting procedure will be required. It involves erasing all data present in the PC's permanent memory - regardless of its type.

To perform the removal you will also need:

• ability to configure Bios;
• the presence of a USB port for running software from external flash memory;
• the presence of a drive for working with CDs for launching programs and further installation of another OS;
• software that allows you to format your hard drive.

When all of the above is available, you can begin to “erase” the seventh version from your computer’s hard drive. This is the only way to completely get rid of fragments of the old operating system on a laptop or regular computer.

Video: Uninstall Windows 7

Sequencing

The first step in uninstalling the OS is formatting the disk. In order to do this before installation, you must first edit the Bios.

This is done as follows:

• immediately after starting the PC, you need to quickly press the F8 or Delete key several times (depending on the Bios model and PC type);
• will appear on the monitor blue screen, containing a table;
• we find a list of parameters that look something like this:
  1. 1st boot device;
  2. 2st boot device;
  3. 3st boo device;
• edit 1st boot devi so that it appears on the right side of the line required device(CD/DVD-ROM or USB-FDD);
• We find the line “Save and Exit Setup”, click on it, agree to make changes and perform a further reboot.

After setting up the launch, you need to use storage media with software, designed to work with hard drive. There must be a formatting function available.

The best choice today is the Acronis Disk Director application. A version that supports operation outside the operating system is required.

Photo: Acronis Disk Director application

Formatting is done as follows:

After completing all the above steps, the formatting process will start. When finished, the application must be closed. All data on the hard drive is permanently deleted. And you can safely start installation new version.

Removing Windows 7 from a laptop during the installation of Windows 8

This requires the skills of an experienced user. As well as basic knowledge internal structure PC. Since otherwise deletion may lead to disastrous consequences, laptop breakdown and the need to call a repairman.

More secure and in a simple way removing Windows 7 via BIOS on a laptop is formatting during the installation process of the eighth version of the operating system from Microsoft.

To perform this action you must do the following:

This is how you format and delete old version OS from a computer with minimal risks. This method also makes it possible to save some time - there is no need to remove a disk with additional software, configure the BIOS, and perform other similar actions.

Installation

The installation itself of the new version of the operating system from Microsoft is quite simple and takes a minimum amount of time. Especially if installed from a USB flash drive.

The installation is performed in the following order:

1. update;

OS setup

When installation is complete, the system will provide the opportunity to perform initial setup.

This is done in several stages:

• protection and privacy: enable or disable the Do Not Track system (prohibiting tracking of visited pages) and Smart Screen (protection from potential dangerous programs, data).

It is also very important to pay attention to the settings section called “sending data to Microsoft and other services.” Since the level of confidentiality of use depends on this.

This page allows you to enable or disable:

• automatic use of the Bing system;
• automatic loading of predicted pages;
• permission to use personal personal data (name, avatar);
• requesting information about the location of the device.

The last step is to set up your account..

Three options are available:

It is very important to choose the original distribution - the success of the subsequent installation greatly depends on this. Since various kinds of pirated assemblies are often simply non-working. You can purchase the OS at any computer store.

If possible, it is necessary to carry out a “clean” installation of the operating system - format it before starting installation hard disk. Because otherwise, there is a high probability of all sorts of errors, as well as the appearance of difficult-to-delete files.

Installing a new operating system is not a difficult process; it is only important to be as careful as possible when setting up the BIOS.