How to Delete a Operating System Listed in Windows Boot Manager in Windows 7 and Vista

This will show you how to delete a non-default operating system in Windows 7 and Vista from the list in the Windows Boot Manager that allows you to select a OS to run at startup.

%ICON{“tip”}% You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

OPTION ONE — Through System Configuration <blockquote>1. Open the Start Menu, typemsconfig in the search line, and pressEnter. 2. Click on theBoot tab. (see screenshot below) <blockquote><a rel“Lightbox_21894” href“http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/3018d1232195890-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot-boot.jpg” id“attachment3018”><img alt“Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot-boot.jpg” src“http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/3018d1232195890t-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot-boot.jpg” title“Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot-boot.jpg” border“0” /></a> </blockquote>3. Select the operating system you want to delete that is not set as theDefault OS, and click onDelete. (see screenshot above) NOTE: If the OS you want to delete from the list is theDefault OS, then you will need to change the <a target“_blank” href“http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2282-default-operating-system-change-default-boot-os.html”>default operating system </a> to another listed OS first. 4. Check theMake all boot settings permanent box, and click onOK. (see screenshot below step 2) 5. Click onYes to confirm. (see screenshot below) <blockquote><a rel“Lightbox_21894” href“http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/3019d1232195896-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot-confirm.jpg” id“attachment3019”><img alt“Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot-confirm.jpg” src“http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/3019d1232195896t-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot-confirm.jpg” title“Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot-confirm.jpg” border“0” /></a> </blockquote>6. Click on theRestart button. (see screenshot below) WARNING: _This will restart the computer immediately. Make sure you save and close anything open that you do not want to lose first_. <blockquote><a rel“Lightbox_21894” href“http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/3020d1232195904-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot-restart.jpg” id“attachment3020”><img alt“Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot-restart.jpg” src“http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/3020d1232195904t-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot-restart.jpg” title“Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot-restart.jpg” border“0” /></a> </blockquote> </blockquote> OPTION TWO — Using the bcdedit Command 1. Open a <a target“_blank” href“http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/783-elevated-command-prompt.html”>elevated command prompt </a> or a <a target“_blank” href“http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/682-command-prompt-startup.html”>command prompt at boot </a>. NOTE: If you have aRAID setup or aPCI-E SSD as your boot drive and want to open a command prompt at boot, then you may need to use the Load <a rel“nofollow” target“_blank” href“http://sflink.pcdriversheadqu.revenuewire.net/driver-detect/driverupdate/”>Drivers</a> option in the <a target“_blank” href“http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/668-system-recovery-options.html”>System Recovery Options </a> screen to load it's <a rel“nofollow” target“_blank” href“http://sflink.pcdriversheadqu.revenuewire.net/driver-detect/driverupdate/”>drivers</a> first before Windows will see the boot drive to be able to use the bcdedit command on it. 2. In the elevated command prompt, typebcdedit and press enter. (see screenshot below) NOTE: _This will let you see what OS is thedefault to start under theWindows Boot Manager section, and to see thedescription (name) andidentifier of the operating system(s) listed in Windows Boot Manager are under theWindows Boot Loader section(s). For example,Microsoft Windows Vista (description) as{730ab458-b062-11e0-84f1-fa307df851c2} (identifier).<blockquote><a rel“Lightbox_21894” href“http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/172815d1314692673-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot-cmd-1.jpg” id“attachment172815”><img alt“Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot-cmd-1.jpg” src“http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/172815d1314692673t-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot-cmd-1.jpg” title“Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot-cmd-1.jpg” border“0” /></a> </blockquote> 3. In the elevated command prompt, type the command below for a listed OS that you want to delete, and press Enter. (see screenshot below) NOTE: If the OS you want to delete from the list is theDefault OS, then you will need to change the <a target“_blank” href“http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2282-default-operating-system-change-default-boot-os.html”>default operating system </a> to another listed OS first. <blockquote>bcdedit /delete {identifier} For example: If I wanted to deleteMicrosoft Windows Vista (description) as{730ab458-b062-11e0-84f1-fa307df851c2} (identifier), I would type this below and press Enter. bcdedit /delete {730ab459-b062-11e0-84f1-fa307df851c2} <a rel“Lightbox_21894” href“http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/172816d1314692673-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot-cmd-2.jpg” id“attachment172816”><img alt“Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot-cmd-2.jpg” src“http://www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/172816d1314692673t-operating-system-start-delete-os-list-boot-cmd-2.jpg” title“Operating System to Start - Delete OS on List at Boot-cmd-2.jpg” border“0” /></a> </blockquote> 4. In the elevated command prompt, typebcdedit and press enter. (see screenshot below step 3) NOTE: This will let you see and verify that the OS has been deleted. 5. When finished, close the elevated command prompt. – Main.FredPettis - 2012-05-17