Removing Windows XP from dual boot

Solution 1:

I haven't tested this (never had the need to!), but I'm pretty sure this should work:

(Do these steps from Windows 7.)

1. Copy the following files/folders from C:\ to D:\:

   • ntldr
   • NTDETECT.COM
   • bootmgr
   • Boot

   Notes:

   1. You can't copy Boot unless you unload BCD from the registry first. Run this in the command prompt before you copy those files:

       Reg Unload HKLM\BCD00000000
      

   2. You will need to go to Folder Options and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" before copying the files, so that you can see them first.

2. Get the program named bootsect (I don't remember exactly, but I think I got it from the Windows AIK... but you can find it on plenty of other places on the web; just search) and run:

    bootsect /nt60 D:
   

3. Now that everything is ready, make D: the active partition: open Disk Management (Start->Run->diskmgmt.msc) and right-click D: and set it as Active.

4. Reboot. If it boots fine (which it should), then all is well. If not, then boot from the Windows 7 DVD and Repair.

5. Open Disk Management again, right-click C: from the list (NOT from the diagram!! It has bugs in XP that cause it to delete the wrong partition, and I wouldn't trust the diagram in Windows 7 either!) and click Delete*.

Warning:

*I strongly recommend that that you immediately create another partition with the drive letter C: in the newly freed space. Otherwise, your drive letters will likely switch around at some point in time, and Windows will suddenly act very strangely when booting.

You're done!

Solution 2:

If you'd like to completely wipe out XP and C: drive, just do this:

1. Boot up with your Windows 7 DVD
2. When it comes to the first dialog, hit Shift + F10 to open up a command prompt
3. Go ahead and format c: now

Congratulations, you've just removed every trace of XP. Unfortunately at this point, your computer is no longer bootable because you've just clobbered your system partition. The good news is that you're already in the Windows 7 setup screen now, so just tell it to repair your system and it will recreate everything it needs to boot.

If you'd like to do it manually from the command prompt instead, you can do it like this:

BOOTREC /FIXMBR
BOOTREC /FIXBOOT
BOOTREC /REBUILDBCD

Theoretically, that should fix your boot records. However, when I tried this once, it said it couldn't find any Windows installations to configure. Don't fret -- just reboot with the Windows 7 DVD once again and try a system repair.