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View Full Version : [SOLVED] Need to Erase Pre-Installed Windows - Expand Ubuntu


rebeltaz
October 16th, 2017, 06:24 PM
The Short Version:

On a new (to me) computer that came with Windows 10 pre-installed, on which I have installed Ubuntu as well, how do I delete the Windows partition and expand the Ubuntu partition(s) to take it's place?

The Long Version:

I accidentally disabled UEFI boot mode before installing Ubuntu. I shrank the Windows partition down to 30gb and installed Ubuntu in the 204(?)gb remainder, leaving the original recovery partition alone. Windows would boot, but Linux wouldn't. I found my mistake and re-enabled UEFI boot mode and reinstalled Ubuntu. Now Linux will boot, but Windows no longer shows in the grub menu, which I have to call up with the left shift key. I really don't need or want Windows anyway, but I would like to keep the recovery partition, just in case. The disk image looks like this:



System | Windows | Extended Partition 4 204 GB | Recovery Image | Free Space
Partition 1 | Partition 2 |---------------------------------------------------------------------------| Partition 3 | 1.2 MB
367 MB HTFS | 30 GB NTFS | Filesystem Partition 201 GB Ext4 | Swap Partition 6 3.4 GB Swap | 16 GB NTFS |


I haven't installed anything other than Ubuntu proper, so if I have to start fresh I can do that too.
RobGoss
October 16th, 2017, 06:47 PM
From reading your post it sounds like you no longer care to use Windows correct?

Why not just do a clean install of Ubuntu and save yourself a lot of time and trouble
rebeltaz
October 16th, 2017, 07:42 PM
From reading your post it sounds like you no longer care to use Windows correct?

Why not just do a clean install of Ubuntu and save yourself a lot of time and trouble

lol.. yeah, I most likely will never use windows, but I'm the kind of person who likes backup options. Glutten for punishment, I suppose. I probably will just wipe the drive, but... unbeknownst to you, you solved my problem. The 'bootrepair' link in your signature did the trick. Thank you :)
RobGoss
October 16th, 2017, 11:32 PM
Wanting to have something to fall back on is always a good idea, It took me sometime before I deleted my last installation of Windows but after I did I have no regrets

Glad you got it all sorted out
ian-weisser
October 17th, 2017, 04:00 AM
With W10, you don't need to retain the recovery partition. You simply need to preserve (write down) the Product Key stored in UEFI.
If you ever wish to reinstall W10 on the same hardware, download the USB installer from MS and enter the Product Key when prompted.
rebeltaz
October 17th, 2017, 06:13 AM
With W10, you don't need to retain the recovery partition. You simply need to preserve (write down) the Product Key stored in UEFI.
If you ever wish to reinstall W10 on the same hardware, download the USB installer from MS and enter the Product Key when prompted.

Too late :)

There is a product key on a sticker on the main unit. Would that be the same as the key stored in UEFI? I did not know that. I haven't installed windows since XP! lol

I appreciate that info. Thank you!
RobGoss
October 17th, 2017, 10:04 AM
With W10, you don't need to retain the recovery partition. You simply need to preserve (write down) the Product Key stored in UEFI.
If you ever wish to reinstall W10 on the same hardware, download the USB installer from MS and enter the Product Key when prompted.


Good tips was not aware of this my self, I have removed a few OS's of Windows. I also believe the Product key is embedded on some motherboards
ian-weisser
October 17th, 2017, 01:48 PM
There is a product key on a sticker on the main unit. Would that be the same as the key stored in UEFI?

High likelihood they are identical.