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I am trying to uninstall Ubuntu on a Windows 10 dual boot. I understand that I must delete the partitions holding Linux and the Linux swap, but do not know how to proceed to get rid of boot entry and GRUB.

I have read that I can use efibootmgr on a live version of Ubuntu to delete the Ubuntu entry, but I have also read that I can delete the Ubuntu folder in the EFI directory through Windows. Are these two methods the same or do I have to use both of them to completely erase traces of Ubuntu?

Thank you for your help.

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  • Welcome to Ask Ubuntu. Which version of Ubuntu are you using, and can you still boot and run the Ubuntu setup?
    – Bernard Wei
    Jul 27, 2018 at 17:47
  • Hi, I am running Ubuntu 16.04, and yes I can still boot and run it.
    – coolro
    Jul 27, 2018 at 17:51

2 Answers 2

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the best way to completely remove ubuntu is using a windows live DVD to delete the ubuntu partition then extend the current windows to the whole drive .

just reboot your computer with a bootable windows DVD, and fallow the instructions to get ride of ubuntu.

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First boot to Ubuntu and install efibootmgr and use it to check your current efi boot list.

$ sudo apt-get install efibootmgr
$ sudo efibootmgr
BootCurrent: 0000
Timeout: 10 seconds
BootOrder: 0000,0004,2001,2002,2003
Boot0000* ubuntu
Boot0003* Windows Boot Manager
Boot0004* Windows Boot Manager
Boot2001* EFI USB Device
Boot2002* EFI DVD/CDROM
Boot2003* EFI Network

In my example, my windows boot manager is entry 4, and ubuntu is entry 0. You can see the boot order 0, 4, ...

To delete the Ubuntu boot entry, first update the boot order then delete the Ubuntu entry (follow the number on your computer, not this example.)

$ sudo efibootmgr -o 4,2001,2002,2003
$ sudo efibootmgr -B 0

Now you can go ahead and boot into Windows and use the disk manager to remove the Ubuntu partition.

PS: Make sure you keep everything in the list except the Ubuntu entry you want to remove from the boot list.

Additional info can be found in the UEFI Wiki page. It explain that EFI system partition is mounted on /boot/efi, and other useful details.

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  • So will that remove the Ubuntu folder in the EFI directory in the “system” partition? I noticed that was what was done using the windows command prompt method. Also, is it safe for me to delete the Linux swap petition as well?
    – coolro
    Jul 27, 2018 at 18:04
  • After you have deleted the ubuntu entry from the efi boot list, it is safe to remove all partitions created by Ubuntu, the root and swap paritions.
    – Bernard Wei
    Jul 27, 2018 at 18:06
  • Ok thank you, but I still would like to know if deleting the Ubuntu entry will actually be deleting its directory in EFI data, or if it is only just erasing it from the list in the bios boot menu.
    – coolro
    Jul 27, 2018 at 18:09
  • It should remove the entry from the efi partition. If not, you can go to /boot/efi/EFI and delete the Ubuntu directory.
    – Bernard Wei
    Jul 27, 2018 at 18:12
  • Must I boot from a live version of Ubuntu to use efibootmgr or can I use the Ubuntu installed on my computer? I wanted to make sure deleting the entry from which I boot from would not affect the operation.
    – coolro
    Jul 27, 2018 at 19:19

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