Summary: It can be confusing to remove multi-boot choices for operating systems that have been removed. We'll walk through the simple process for Windows 7.
I have downloaded the retail version of Windows 7 on my "C" drive, but I am unable to remove the boot choice which previously allowed me to either open the RC Windows 7 on another internal HD, or open the Windows Vista OS on my "C" drive. I did format the other HD, which I now use for backups only. The "Startup and Recovery" pop-up window referred to in your last newsletter, which I looked up, does not provide an option to carry out the "edit". Apart from the other details as per your illustration the "edit" option is simply not shown. Please enlighten me how to otherwise remove this 2nd boot choice.
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Yep, things changed (back in Vista, I believe).
The good news is that it's still pretty easy to modify your boot choices.
You just need to drop to the Windows Command prompt - as administrator, of course.
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Editing boot choices has become significantly more powerful, but has moved to a command-line tool.
Fire up a Windows Command Prompt, making sure to run it as administrator (right click on the shortcut and select "Run as administrator"):
In the command prompt, run bcdedit /enum - here's the result from my Windows 7 machine:
bcdedit /enum
Windows Boot Manager
--------------------
identifier {bootmgr}
device partition=C:
description Windows Boot Manager
locale en-US
inherit {globalsettings}
default {current}
resumeobject {8fe75379-c446-11de-9f1d-ab62aca77990}
displayorder {current}
toolsdisplayorder {memdiag}
timeout 30
Windows Boot Loader
-------------------
identifier {current}
device partition=C:
path \Windows\system32\winload.exe
description Windows 7
locale en-US
inherit {bootloadersettings}
recoverysequence {8fe7537b-c446-11de-9f1d-ab62aca77990}
recoveryenabled Yes
osdevice partition=C:
systemroot \Windows
resumeobject {8fe75379-c446-11de-9f1d-ab62aca77990}
nx OptIn
I've highlighted the identifier "{current}" - each Windows Boot Loader will have its own unique identifier, and that's what you'll use in the next step.
To simply delete one of the boot options, type bcdedit /delete {identifier}, where "identifier" is replaced with the identifier for the boot option you want removed.
For example, if I wanted to remove my current boot option (and in my case render my machine unbootable), I'd enter:
bcdedit /delete {current}
Since "{current}" is the identifier of my one and only boot choice.
And no, I didn't.
But that bringw up a very good point: as you can imagine, used improperly, bcdedit can indeed render your machine unbootable, which can only then be fixed by booting from the Windows 7 install or recovery disk and running repair tools.
And finally, if you're interested in all that bcdedit can do, enter bcdedit /? for a full list of options.
Use it with caution.
Article C3915 - October 30, 2009
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.
Posted by: Diko at January 29, 2010 4:59 AMI'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?
Posted by: dan at February 6, 2010 12:15 PMThank 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!
Posted by: Sky at February 8, 2010 4:27 PMJust 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;-}
Posted by: cosmo at February 19, 2010 10:36 PMThanks, 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,
Posted by: Sky at February 21, 2010 8:25 AMSky