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Remove Windows 9x/Me from Dual-Boot with XP/2K/NT

Reviewed: December 2005

This page describes how to remove Windows 95, 98, 98SE, or Millennium from a dual-boot with Windows XP, 2000, or NT. This will result will in a single Windows (XP/2K/NT) system that boots normally without a boot menu. The hard disk space currently allocated to the Windows 9x/Me will then be available for use under the retained Windows XP/2K,NT.

Do not use these instructions if you use a third-party boot utility like BootMagic. The instructions presume you have a natural dual-boot - in this situation, all boot files for each Windows are on the first partition which is the Primary Master and is marked Active.

Note: In both methods described here, the XP/2K/NT installation should remain on its present partition/drive and its drive letter should not be altered. If you have a partition utility like PartitionMagic, you can later resize the C: drive to about 300-500 MB, but the current C: partition should remain as C:.

Note: THPC prefers Method #1 because you don't need to use Format or Fixboot. However, if the integrity of the Win9x/Me drive is in doubt, then using Method #2 becomes imperative.

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METHOD #1: Remove Win9x/Me & Keep Win XP/2000/NT (no Format of C:)

You just make XP/2K/NT the Default OS. Then edit Boot.ini to remove the Win 9x line. XP/2K/NT will now boot directly. The Win 9x directory can then be deleted.

Do not use System or Msconfig to disable the Win9x - that's unsatisfactory.

Example: Uninstall Windows 9x from a Dual-Boot with XP: (2K/NT are similar)

Tip: Uninstall any Win9x-only software.
Tip: Create a temporary Rescue Boot Disk for your current situation (1 floppy disk).

Bootup to XP.
Backup C:\Boot.ini
Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced tab.
In Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
In Default operating system:, select Microsoft Windows XP (or 2000 or NT).
Click the Edit button to edit the startup options file (Boot.ini) manually, and
delete the Win9x line [C:\="Microsoft Windows 9x"].
Save Boot.ini.
Reboot. Only XP will boot from now on.
Delete the Win9x installation directory (usually C:\Windows) and any non-essential Win9x data.
Delete the Win9x boot files on C: - Io.sys & Msdos.sys (Hidden files) & Command.com.

When all is satisfactory, create a new Rescue Boot Disk to reflect your new situation.

Warning: Do not Format the partition containing Boot.ini.

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METHOD #2: Remove Win9x/Me & Keep Win XP/2000/NT (with Format of C:)

Warning: This method deletes all data on the C: partition.
Warning: Use Method #1 if the first partition uses the NTFS file system.

Make sure you can boot from a bootable CD (read How to Boot from a bootable CD).
Bootup to XP/2K/NT.
- Make XP/... the Default operating system: (Control Panel > System > Advanced tab > Startup and Recovery > Settings > "Default operating system" list in System startup).
- Copy the XP/2K/NT boot files from C: to a blank formatted floppy. Most are Hidden files.
  These files are Boot.ini, NTLDR, Ntdetect.com, and also Ntbootdd.sys if it's present
  (you must include Arcldr.exe and Arcsetup.exe if using Win 2000).
- Remove the Attributes of those files on that floppy by typing in
  ATTRIB -R -S -H A:\*.* from a Command Prompt (Start > Accessories).
- Edit A:\Boot.ini on that floppy (read How to Edit Boot.ini), and
  delete the Win9x line in Boot.ini [C:\="Microsoft Windows 9x"], and
  save Boot.ini back to that floppy.
Bootup from a Win98/Me boot disk.
- Type in (and then press [Enter])
  FORMAT C:
  When Format is finished, copy the XP/... boot files from that floppy back to the C: drive, using
  COPY A:\*.* C:
Bootup from your XP/... CD, and press R (and then C for 2K) to open the Recovery Console.
- Login to your installed Windows XP/2K/NT.
- Type in: (press [Enter] after each)
  FIXBOOT C:
  EXIT
Reboot. You'll boot directly into XP/...
When all is satisfactory, create a new Rescue Boot Disk to reflect your new situation

You can delete the Win9x installation directory if it was not originally on C:.

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Dual-Boot Centre

Specific Dual-Boots:

• Dual-Boot Win9x/XP/2K/NT (read first)

Win XP/2K/NT installed. Add a Win9x:
Install Win Me/98/95b on XP/2K(FAT/32) system
Install Win 95, 95a on XP/2K (FAT) system
Install any Win9x on XP/2K/NT (NTFS) system
Install any Win9x on Windows NT (FAT) system
Install any Win9x on [DOS+XP/2K/NT] system
Install MS-DOS on a Windows XP/2K/NT system

Win XP/2K/NT installed. Add a Win XP/2K/NT:
Install 2K on XP or on (XP + 9x/XP/2K/NT)

Win9x installed. Add a Win XP/2K/NT:
Install Win XP/2K on a Win Me/98/95b system
Install Win XP/2K on a Win 95, 95a system
Install Win NT (NTFS/FAT) on any Win9x (FAT)
Install Win NT (NTFS) on any Win9x (FAT32)

• Dual-Boot Win9x with another Win9x (read first)

Win9x installed. Add another Win9x:
AddAWins: Windows 9x Multi-Boot Utility (freeware)
DualWins: Windows 9x Dual-Boot Utility (freeware)

• Add a Hard Disk containing a Windows

Also in How do I ...

• Edit Boot.ini
• Use Win9x Setup Switches
• Show Hidden Files in Windows, MS-DOS, and Command Prompt
• Boot from a bootable CD
• Add a new Hard Disk without changing drive letters
• Partition with PartitionMagic to install Win9x on XP/2K
• Use BootMagic to install a new OS

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* ALWAYS BACKUP FIRST * ALWAYS RECORD SETTINGS * ALWAYS MAKE ONE CHANGE AT A TIME

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