I have 2 windows OS installed on my computer, how can i delete one?

Question

They're the same version (xp).

I installed the os again, because the one i had got infected with a virus, and i didn't wnat to lose my files. But now i want to delete the first one.

Answer 1

Very simple - simply boot into the OS on Drive C: and delete the other copy on Drive D: Navigate in File Explorer to Drive D: and highlight the Windows folder and press delete.

Keep your original install version on Drive C:

To get rid of your multiple boot options, launch CMD, type "edit c:\boot.ini". Delete the option referring to rdisk(1) which will be Drive D: Change timeout value to 0, so that you will not see this boot option anymore.

If after editing boot.ini and saving the changes - it whinge about being a protected file, go back to Windows, find the file and change its properties - deselect read only and close.

Make a backup copy of boot.ini first, by copying it to another folder.

Reinstalling an OS again doesn't destroy your personal DATA like work files or correspondences, unless you choose to reformat drive when reinstalling Windows. So choose to reinstall without formatting.

Optionally copy all your personal DATA over to Drive D: if they reside on Drive C: Do a reformat install on Drive C:, which will get rid of virus infected files.

The only hassle left is reactivation of Windows. To avoid this, make a copy of the file WPA.dbl found in System32 folder to Drive D:, after install complete recopy back to Drive C: Windows\System32 folder.

Viruses can be managed by cleaning it out with any Virus software. Use free AVG7 from Grisoft.com.

The very first option is the easiest way to go - delete the OS you don't need and thoroughly Virus scan the remaining OS. No DATA loss, no reinstall hassles.

Answer 2

First off.... if possible save all important documents etc. to a cd or dvd, just in case.....if you havent a cd/dvd writer you could transfer them to an online storage provider such as g-mail.I presume you get an option at boot as to which copy you want to boot into... boot into the one you want to keep and just delete the other one. At next boot you'll still get the option of which OS to use, so you'll need to edit the boot options:-- Log on using an Administrative account, right click 'my computer', choose 'properties', and then click the 'advanced' tab.
Go to the 'start up and recovery' section at the bottom and click the 'settings' button. In the next screen that appears you can edit the start up options to remove the 'link' to the now deleted copy of XP

Answer 3

Not sure exactly what is happening here. If it just shows up at the DOS screen menu you should be OK. That screen that comes up does NOT mean you have 2 instances of XP loaded but just another line that is in the ntldr file which is nothing.

Did this just happen or has it been there all the time. Has XP been reinstalled? If so then the answer may not apply.

Answer 4

You cant just delete it.

You will need to partition the one that you want to remove. It basically means a reformat of your computer and make sure you only partition the OS that you want to remove.