Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

How to delete windows partition without deleting other files

by Jan 13, 2014 11:30PM PST

Hi everyone I hope someone can help me with this problem, the thing is I have a notebook with multi-boot OS because some months ago I've installed a new windows on it (Windows 7 Ultimate x64), but I didn't want to delete the other (original) boot because of the warranty with the store I bought it, but now the warranty period has expired so I really don't need to use that partition for windows anymore, but I have a lot of things (games, music, videos, images, etc) on that partition. So is there a way to delete only the OS but not deleting some of the files on it.

Thanks in advance

Specs

Acer Aspire V5-431
Intel Celeron 887 1.4 Ghz (dual)
6 Gb DDR3
500 Gb SATA Hardisk
Windows 7 Ultimate x64

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Answer
You can delete the Windows & Program Files folders
by Jan 13, 2014 11:41PM PST

I've deleted the Windows and Program files folders on systems like you describe. That gets probably 95% of the Windows system out. You will need to make sure the system you want to keep set to boot by default.

- Collapse -
I should try
by Ninnuam Jan 13, 2014 11:49PM PST

Thanks for your fast reply, if I do this the windows boot option is going to disappear? or it's just gonna be like deleting a game folder without uninstalling, that why I didn't do this before.

- Collapse -
The Windows boot option won't disappear
by wpgwpg Jan 14, 2014 12:10AM PST

However you can set the version you want to keep as the default and the time to display the boot menu to a low value like 1 second. Unfortunately MS has never given us a way to uninstall a version of Windows.

- Collapse -
Answer
This is the high wire act without a net.
by Forum moderator Jan 14, 2014 12:15AM PST

It may end badly. No one should tell you it is OK. I'm telling you this is too dangerous.

Why are you trying to do that high wire act without a safety net? Are you telling everyone you can risk it all?
Bob

- Collapse -
If your files are safe. Then here's how.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 14, 2014 12:20AM PST
- Collapse -
I'm going to read it
by Ninnuam Jan 14, 2014 12:31AM PST

Thanks, I will post a message if this works..

- Collapse -
Answer
Be Cautious.
by Jan 14, 2014 12:37AM PST

I agree there are risks in deleting the windows partition. Specially if you had Linux installed in the other partition. But, as you told, you had only windows as the primary operating system. There should be not much problem if you have a recovery image. There is a file called bootrec.exe. It holds the boot information of the installed OS. In your case Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit. I would suggest that you first try to fix the boot file and then remove the windows files. Better still if you re-install your desired operating system in C:. All the best.

Back to Windows 7 forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info