Comments for How do I get rid of boot choices in Windows 7?

Comment from Sky on 2010-02-21

2010-02-21T16:25:18Z

Thanks, Cosmo, I had already done that and when I tried to disconnect the original C: drive I received the 'no boot manager' message.

Although, what I did do after reading your post, was to disconnect the C: drive and insert the Windows 7 disc and use the repair/start up options.

That worked, though I did have to go into MSCONFIG and delete the preinstall [ghost?] that showed up, presumably, from starting the install disc. I then formatted/renamed the C: drive to R: and loaded it with the appropriate files.

My problem now is that the drive D: with the Windows 7 OS and related Program Files will not rename to C:. I keep getting an 'invalid parameter' message.

I'm at a loss as to how to get around that little speed bump and wonder if I do manage to get it renamed from D: to C: if it could in any way mess things up as there is a final 'doing this might cause some programs that rely on this to not start-are you sure?' warning message that pops up just before telling it to 'go' even though the next thing is the circled red 'x' 'invalid parameter' message with no explanation.

Thanks,
Sky

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Comment from cosmo on 2010-02-19

2010-02-20T06:36:06Z

Just use msconfig. windows key + r then type msconfig. There is a tab labeled boot, and the boot choices are listed there, with the current OS labeled.

Delete the choices you no longer use.

Now you can pick up all the hair you scratched out trying to figure out the cmd prompt stuff;-}

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Comment from Sky on 2010-02-08

2010-02-09T00:27:47Z

Thank you, Leo, this is getting close to where I need to go and, yes, I prefer to err on the side of caution. In my case, two drives are involved; please, allow me to explain.

When I first built this system a few years ago I installed the OEM version of Vista 64 Ultimate on C:\ drive.

Recently, after downloading and installing Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Upgrade on top of the Vista 64 Ultimate soon after I noticed something in one of the error logs that the drive was fixing to go south so...

I reinstalled Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Upgrade on D:\ drive after which I had two 'Window 7' choices at bootup so...

On the D:\Windows 7 side I went into Computer/(right click) Properties/Advanced System Settings/Startup and Recovery/Settings/System Startup and set it for the Windows 7 on D:\ drive.

Well, now, on startup, it skips by the boot menu and starts fine but...

1) when I try to unplug the C:\ drive it locks up on startup and

2) I cannot uninstall or format the C:\ drive; which, logically, would appear to be something I do not want to do until I have the D:\ drive working entirely on its own.

3) I assume after I have this straightened out and the old C:\ drive disconnected I can then go into Administrative Tools/Computer Management/Storage and rename D:\ to C:\ although, again, erring on the side of caution, I have to question if the system will make all the necessary changes in Windows Boot Manager or is this something I need to have more of a hands on issue?

Meanwhile, here is what happens when I follow your instructions on bcedit /enum:

D:\Windows\system32>bcdedit /enum

Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
Identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=C:
Description Windows Boot Manager
locale en=US
inherit (globalsettings)
default (current)
resumeobject (0c167404-020e-11df-8f47-ada41604211e
displayorder (current)
toolsdisplayorder (memdiag)
timeout 30

Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier (current)
Device partition=D:
path \Windows\system32\winload.exe
description Windows 7
locale en=US
inherit (bootloadersettings)
recoverysequence (0c167402-020e-11df-8f47-ada41604211e
recoveryenabled Yes
osdevice partition=D:
systemroot \Windows
resumeobject 0c167400-020e-11df-8f47-ada41604211e
nx OptIn

D:\Windows\system32>

Now, as best I can understand what you are saying is that, in the end, "device partition=C:" under the Windows Boot Manager section should read "partition=D:" but I'm not sure how to proceed since "Current" in both sections (Windows Boot Manager and Windows Boot Loader) point to both partition C: and partition d:)

Is this a simple matter of:

"bcdedit /delete {partition=C:}"

or is this more involved requiring additional steps?

Thanks ever so much for all your help!

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Comment from dan on 2010-02-06

2010-02-06T20:15:32Z

I've just installed win 7.

but I have an old partial/failed install of win XP in my boot choices. under my previous (succesfully installed XP) i could remove this partial install from the boot choice.

do you guys know how to remove it from the boot choice in win 7?

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A comment on: How do I get rid of boot choices in Windows 7?

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Comment from Diko on 2010-01-29

2010-01-29T12:59:02Z

Sorry I have a question too! I have by mistake remove the working OS from my laptop using the above steps and prompt not to show me choise when boot and I'm left with an OS that doesn't work, My laptop does not have a CD so how can I get to choose back. to adjust it in My computer right click propery... or on the command prompt, I have to first boot in the working OS.

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Comment from RVG on 2010-01-28

2010-01-28T20:12:17Z

Just found the answer: yes you have to add /F as suggested to force the deletion of ntldr.

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Comment from RVG on 2010-01-28

2010-01-28T19:11:15Z

Same issue: cannot delete unless /f switch is specified on command line.
Any suggestion or do I just add the switch to the command so it going to look like:
bcdedit /delete {ntldr} /F

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Comment from aaa on 2009-11-12

2009-11-12T16:30:54Z

I just get "This entry cannot be deleted unless the /f switch is specified on the command line".

Access is denied.

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A comment on: How do I get rid of boot choices in Windows 7?

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Comment from Glenn P. on 2009-11-06

2009-11-06T21:08:14Z

One word: "Backup". In this case, a full-disk backup. Using an "outside-of-Windows" utility such as BootItNG (which is what I use).

That way, if you Goof Up and render your machine unbootable -- well, it's unbootable to WINDOWS, but it SHOULD still be bootable to BootItNG! -- you can restore your disk to its original state and can try out your fumblethumbs all over again. :)

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Comment from Frank Golden on 2009-11-03

2009-11-03T23:24:12Z

Yep, EasyBCD is what I use.

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Comment from Ronald on 2009-11-03

2009-11-03T18:07:10Z

I think a great many folks may do well by downloading EasyBCD from NeoSmart from here--> http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1 Having a familiar user interface may make the experiance a little less frightening than working from the command prompt.

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A comment on: How do I get rid of boot choices in Windows 7?

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