How do I manually add windows 7 to grub list?

Question

I am desperate to add Windows 7 to grub. I have tried sudo update-grub, I have run sudo os-prober, but I can't seem to get windows to be added to grub.

Can someone please explain how to manually add windows 7 to my grub?

Answer 1

1. Open a terminal and type:

sudo nano /etc/grub.d/40_custom

2. Add the following line:

menuentry "Windows 7 (loader) (on /dev/sda1)" {
insmod part_msdos
insmod ntfs
set root='(hd0,msdos1)'
chainloader +1
}

by appropriately modifying the location of windows 7 in your computer.

3. Run sudo update-grub

Note If you are not careful these operations can mess up your computer.

Answer 2

grub-customizer helped me. It auto-detected Windows 7 for me and I was able to add it and change position and title in the menu.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:danielrichter2007/grub-customizer
sudo apt-get update 
sudo apt-get install grub-customizer

Answer 3

Better use Boot Repair

• either from an Ubuntu live-session (boot your computer on a Ubuntu live-CD or live-USB then choose "Try Ubuntu") or from your installed Ubuntu session (if you can access it)

• connect to the Internet

• open a new Terminal, then type the following commands (press Enter after each line):

  sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair
  sudo apt-get update
  sudo apt-get install -y boot-repair && boot-repair

Recommended repair
1. launch Boot-Repair from either :

• the Dash (the Ubuntu logo at the top-left of the screen)

• or by typing 'boot-repair' in a terminal

  2. Then click the "Recommended repair" button. When repair is finished, note the URL (paste.ubuntu.com/XXXXX) that appeared on a paper, then reboot and check if you recovered access to your OSs.
  3. If the repair did not succeed, indicate the URL to people who help you by email or forum.