Question:

How can I uninstall Linux and install Windows on two different laptops?

– On the first laptop, I have a dual-boot setup with Windows and Linux, but I want to remove Linux completely and use the entire disk space for Windows. How can I identify and delete the Linux partitions and extend the Windows partition accordingly?

– On the second laptop, I have Linux only, but I want to switch to Windows. However, when I boot from a USB drive with Windows installation media, it is not detected by the BIOS. How can I fix this issue and install Windows successfully?

Answer:

How to Uninstall Linux and Install Windows on Two Different Laptops

Linux is a popular operating system that offers many advantages over Windows, such as security, stability, and customization. However, some users may prefer Windows for its compatibility, ease of use, and familiarity. If you have two laptops that run Linux, or a dual-boot setup with Windows and Linux, and you want to switch to Windows completely, you may wonder how to do that. In this article, we will show you how to uninstall Linux and install Windows on two different laptops, one with a dual-boot setup and one with Linux only.

If you have a laptop that has both Windows and Linux installed, and you want to remove Linux and use the entire disk space for Windows, you need to do the following steps:

1. Back up your data. Before you make any changes to your partitions, you should back up any important data that you have on your Linux side, as it will be erased during the process. You can use an external hard drive, a cloud service, or a USB flash drive to store your data.

2. Boot into Windows. To uninstall Linux, you need to boot into your Windows side. You can do this by restarting your laptop and choosing Windows from the boot menu that appears. If you don’t see a boot menu, you may need to press a key (such as F12, F8, or Esc) to access it.

3. Open Disk Management. Once you are in Windows, you need to open Disk Management, which is a tool that allows you to manage your partitions. You can do this by pressing Windows + R, typing diskmgmt.msc, and hitting Enter. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Start menu and select Disk Management from the list.

4. Identify and delete the Linux partitions. In Disk Management, you will see a graphical representation of your disk and its partitions. You need to identify which partitions belong to Linux and delete them. Linux partitions are usually formatted as ext4, swap, or LVM, and they may have labels such as root, home, or boot. To delete a partition, right-click on it and select Delete Volume. You will be asked to confirm your action. Repeat this for all the Linux partitions that you want to remove. You will end up with some unallocated space on your disk.

5. Extend the Windows partition. Now that you have freed up some space on your disk, you can extend your Windows partition to use it. To do this, right-click on your Windows partition (usually labeled as C:) and select Extend Volume. You will see a wizard that guides you through the process. You can choose to use all the available space or specify a custom amount. Click Next and Finish to complete the process. Your Windows partition will now occupy the entire disk space.

6. Remove the Linux boot loader. The last step is to remove the Linux boot loader, which is the program that allows you to choose between Windows and Linux when you start your laptop. To do this, you need to use a tool called EasyBCD, which is a free software that lets you edit your boot configuration. You can download it from [here](https://neosmart.net/EasyBCD/). After you install and run it, go to the Edit Boot Menu section and uncheck the Linux entry. Then go to the BCD Backup/Repair section and click on Re-create/repair boot files. This will restore the Windows boot loader and remove the Linux one. Restart your laptop and you should boot directly into Windows.

Installing Windows on a Linux-Only Laptop

If you have a laptop that runs Linux only, and you want to switch to Windows, you need to do the following steps:

1. Back up your data. As with the previous case, you should back up any important data that you have on your Linux side, as it will be erased during the installation of Windows. You can use an external hard drive, a cloud service, or a USB flash drive to store your data.

2. Create a bootable USB drive with Windows installation media. To install Windows, you need a bootable USB drive that contains the Windows installation files. You can create one using another Windows computer and a tool called Rufus, which is a free software that lets you create bootable USB drives. You can download it from [here](https://rufus.ie/). You also need a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space and a Windows ISO file, which is an image of the Windows installation disc. You can download the Windows ISO file from [here](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10). After you have these items, run Rufus and select your USB drive, the Windows ISO file, and the partition scheme as GPT. Click on Start and wait for the process to finish. You will have a bootable USB drive with Windows installation media.

3. Change the boot order in the BIOS. To install Windows, you need to boot from the USB drive that you created. To do this, you need to change the boot order in the BIOS, which is the program that controls the basic settings of your laptop. You can access the BIOS by restarting your laptop and pressing a key (such as F2, F10, or Del) before the Linux boot screen appears. The key may vary depending on your laptop model, so you may need to check your manual or look for a message on the screen. Once you are in the BIOS, go to the Boot section and change the boot order so that the USB drive is the first option. Save the changes and exit the BIOS.

4. Install Windows. After you change the boot order, your laptop will boot from the USB drive and you will see the Windows installation screen. Follow the instructions and choose your language, keyboard layout, and edition. When you reach the screen that asks you where to install Windows, you will see a list of partitions on your disk. You need to delete all the partitions that belong to Linux, as they are not compatible with Windows. To do this, select each partition and click on Delete. You will end up with one unallocated space on your disk. Select it and click on Next. Windows will create the necessary partitions and start the installation. Wait for the installation to complete and follow the steps to set up your Windows account and preferences. You will have a laptop that runs Windows only.