Windows 7: Windows Boot Manager - Delete a Listed Operating System

How to Delete an Operating System Listed in Windows Boot Manager

Information

This will show you how to delete a non-default operating system in Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 from the list in Windows Boot Manager or Startup Options (Windows 8) that allows you to select a OS to run at startup.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

EXAMPLE: Windows Boot Manager or "Startup Options" (Windows 8)
NOTE: This is the boot screen where you select what operating system that you would like to start. By default, you have 30 seconds to choose another operating system before the default operating system will start automatically.

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OPTION ONE

Through System Configuration

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type msconfig, and press Enter.

2. Click/tap on the Boot tab. (see screenshot below)

3. Select the operating system you want to delete that is not set as the Default OS, and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: If the OS you want to delete from the list is the Default OS, then you will need to change the default operating system to another listed OS first.

4. Check the Make all boot settings permanent box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 2)

5. Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

6. Click/tap on the Restart 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.

OPTION TWO

Using the bcdedit Command

1. Open a elevated command prompt or a command prompt at boot.
NOTE: If you have a RAID setup or a PCI-E SSD as your boot drive and want to open a command prompt at boot, then you may need to use the Load Drivers option in the System Recovery Options screen to load it's drivers first before Windows will see the boot drive to be able to use the bcdedit command on it.

2. In the elevated command prompt, type bcdedit and press enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This will let you see what OS is the default to start under the Windows Boot Manager section, and to see the description (name) and identifier of the operating system(s) listed in Windows Boot Manager are under the Windows Boot Loader section(s). For example, Microsoft Windows Vista (description) as {730ab458-b062-11e0-84f1-fa307df851c2} (identifier).

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 the Default OS, then you will need to change the default operating system to another listed OS first.

bcdedit /delete {identifier}

For example: If I wanted to delete Microsoft 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}

4. In the elevated command prompt, type bcdedit 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.

OPTION THREE

Using the "EasyBCD" Program

   Note

Note provided by Ray.

If you use EasyBCD in Windows 8, EasyBCD will use the Windows 7 Boot Loader.

If you would like to use the Windows 8 Boot Loader, refresh Windows 8.

After doing a refresh, you will be using the Windows 8 Boot Loader. Refresh will also delete the EasyBCD program.

1. Download and install a free version of the EasyBCD program, then run it.
NOTE: The free version download is at the bottom under "Download free for limited, non-commercial use". Registration is not required to download.

2. Click on the Edit Boot Menu button, select the OS (ex: Microsoft Windows Vista) that you want to delete, and click on the Delete button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the OS you want to delete from the list is the Default OS, then you will need to change the default operating system to another listed OS first.

3. Click/tap on Yes to confirm deletion. (see screenshot below)

4. The OS (ex: Microsoft Windows Vista) is now deleted. (see screenshot below)

5. When finished, close EasyBCD.