Thread: Getting rid of Windows

I,m not a Windows expert, but if the HD is set up as a second disk, and it is booting from the SSD, is there any need to remove anything? The disc is bootable, but the computer will not even get as far as looking at the boot sector on it, as it will boot from the SSD, assuming this is set as the first boot device. The XP files on it can be simply deleted or just left there as waste space.

Maybe someone who is more familiar with Windows can say if there is a problem I have not seen.

yes John,, I'm sure I can choose to boot from the SSD,, but will windows just let me delete windows? (space concerns on the HDD)
Win 10 needs a signed confession from your mother just to install a screensaver..

I've never had any issues with Win 10. You should be able to delete XP.

Did you do an upgrade from XP to Win 10? If so, Win 10 should offer to let you delete the old Win XP install

Is Linux an option?
Can download an ISO of the latest Linux (Ubuntu, Mint etc etc), then create a startup/bootable USB or disc, tell bios to boot from that, then, once booted from that, format the drive as the install instructions suggest...
Windows gone, basic Linux install created.
(Depending on what ya choose whilst installing)
That will leave an almost empty storage space that will allow storage of music or pics, doc's etc that can still be accessed if/when needed.....

No,, Linux is not an option,,
Shirley decorates cakes like Ian Callum designs cars,, at 75 she is not interested in learning new ways to search google...

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

No,, Linux is not an option,,
Shirley decorates cakes like Ian Callum designs cars,, at 75 she is not interested in learning new ways to search google...

I get what ya mean...
But just for the record, (for those playing at home) searching on Google is no different....
Just saying.

Hi

Two options for deleting XP on the second drive.

First make sure it really is booting from the SSD and it doesn't need the second HD. Try to disconnect that 2nd HD and check it still boots. Just in case during the install that pesky Win10 still is reading stuff off the older HD.

Then you can either:

1. Login as an admin and just delete the XP files using the file manager. That will free up the space. But if XP is on a separate partition then you will need to access that space via some drive letter.

2. Backup the HD to a removable drive. Check the backup is OK.
Start a partition editor and clear the XP partition. Enlarge the 2nd HD data partition to take up all the space. That way the 2nd HD will be a accessed by a single drive letter.

Option 2 will give a cleaner new space. You can also do a fragment or if the backup is good do a reformat. Then install the backed up files.

Mike

Hi speleomike
How do you log into windows as admin, and then delete the windows files that you used to login?
I'm not trying to be a dick or smartarse, I've just never been able to actually do that...???