If you have decided that Ubuntu is no longer the right operating system for you, you are probably wondering how to go about eliminating it. Removing Ubuntu when it's the computer's only operating system is fairly straightforward, but things get a little more complicated if you have Windows installed as well. Follow this guide to remove Ubuntu either way.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Removing Ubuntu in Dual-Boot with Windows
Step 1. Insert the Windows installation disc into your computer
It may also be labeled as a rescue disk. If you do not have an installation or recovery disc, you can create the latter thanks to Windows.
Step 2. Boot from CD
To boot from the recovery disc, you will need to set the BIOS to boot from your CD / DVD drive. As soon as the computer starts up, press the BIOS setup key. This is usually F2, F10, F12 or Del. Go to the Start menu and select the CD / DVD drive. Once you have selected it, save and restart your computer.
Step 3. Open Command Prompt
From the main menu of the Rescue Disk, select the Command Prompt option. If you are using an installation disc, select "Repair your computer", then Command Prompt should open.
Step 4. Set the Master Boot Record
Running this command will remove the dual-boot option: when the computer boots, Windows will start directly. Enter the following command in the Prompt:
bootrec / fixmbr
Step 5. Restart your computer
At that time, you shouldn't see the option to select Ubuntu. Instead, you'll find yourself right in Windows.
Step 6. Open Disk Management
Once in Windows, it's time to get rid of the old Ubuntu installation and reclaim the disk space. Press Start and right click on Computer / My Computer. Select Manage and then click on Disk Management in the left pane of the Computer Management window.
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In Windows 8, press Windows key + X and select Disk Management from the menu.
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Step 7. Erase Ubuntu Partitions
Right click on the Ubuntu partitions and select Delete. Make sure you have chosen the correct partition for deletion. Once the partition is deleted, it will become unallocated space. Right click on the Windows partition and select Extend Partition. Select the newly created free space just to add it to your Windows installation.
Method 2 of 2: Remove Ubuntu from a Single-Boot System
Step 1. Insert the operating system disk you want to install
When Ubuntu is the only operating system on your computer, you can remove it using an installation disc of any operating system. Once you have inserted it, restart your computer and boot from the CD, as indicated in step 2 of the previous method.
Step 2. Delete the Ubuntu partition
Once the installation process for the new operating system has started, you have the opportunity to create and delete partitions on the hard drive. Select the Ubuntu partition and delete it. The partition will be returned to the unallocated space.
Step 3. Continue installing the operating system or remove the disk and shut down the computer
Once the partition is deleted, Ubuntu will be successfully removed from the computer. You can now install a new operating system, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.
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If you don't want to install the operating system, your computer will be unusable until one is installed.
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