Windows 10: Windows 10 Reinstall with Existing EFI and Linux

Hello everyone.


I need to reinstall W10 on my box. Along with it, I've got a Linux dual-boot setup and they share the same EFI partition.

I'm running the W10 installer via the USB created by the Media Creation Tool. My problem is that I've never used the tool and I don't know how it actually handles the space.


Let me share my current setup:


Number Size Code Name
1 1.4 GiB EF00 <---- EFI partition
2 128.0 MiB 0C01 Microsoft reserved ... <---- MSR partition
3 247.2 GiB 0700 Windows data <--- Actual W10 install
4 530.0 MiB 2700 <--- WinRE
5 199.5 GiB 8300 Linux filesystem <--- Home data
6 17.0 GiB 8300 Linux filesystem <--- Linux FS



As you may see, there the usual 4 partitions created by Windows. Partition 3 let us call it P3 is where my C: resides to be clear.


Now, my question is: when I get to the installer asking where I want to install W10, what should I do? Obviously, I do not want it to delete the coexisting OS.

Can the installer figure out there's already an existing EFI partition and automatically handles it? What about P2 and P4?


I'd be tempted to point it to install on P3, because that's where my W10 currently is, but I don't know what is actually going to do with such space and the other partitions i.e. if it's gonna recreate them or what.


Hope my questions is clear. I'll be happy to provide any further details if needed.

:)

 

Restoring Windows EFI files without wiping Linux EFI files

Hi,

I have recently re-installed Linux on my computer (I have a dual boot), and I have accidentally removed and recreated the EFI partition, so I can't boot into Windows.

I searched some tutorials, and I found , which uses the `bcdboot` command to recreate to Windows EFI folder and files, but I'm afraid that it will wipe my Linux EFI files...

Will it wipe my Linux EFI files? What can I do to keep them?

Thanks!

 

Restoring Windows EFI files without wiping Linux EFI files

Hi Amit,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



BCDBoot command enables you to quickly set up a system partition, or to repair the boot environment located on the system partition and is a command-line tool used to configure the boot files on a PC to run the Windows operating system. The system
partition is set up by copying a simple set of Boot Configuration Data (BCD) files to an existing empty partition.



BCDBoot command creates a new BCD store and initialize the BCD boot-environment files on the system partition, including the Windows Boot Manager, using the %WINDIR%\System32\Config\BCD-Template file.



If you are unable to boot into Windows, then I suggest you to perform a
Startup Repair by following the below steps and you will be able to boot into Windows and access the Linux EFI files.



Note: You need to have a working Windows 10 computer and an 8 GB USB to repair your computer.

1. On a working PC, go to the Microsoft software download website and
   download the Windows 10 media creation tool and then run it.
   
2. Select Create installation media for another PC > Choose a language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) > Follow the steps to create installation media, and then select
   Finish.
   
3. Connect the installation media you created to your nonfunctional PC, and then turn it on.
   
4. On the initial setup screen, enter your language and other preferences, and then select
   Next. If you don't see the setup screen, your PC might not be set up to boot from a drive. Check your PC manufacturer's website for info on how to change your PC's boot order, and then try again.
   
5. Instead of clicking on Install now, click on
   Repair your computer.
   
6. Then, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options >
   Startup Repair and if prompted, select the OS you want to perform a startup repair on.
   

If you are unable to perform a Startup Repair or if the issue persists after doing a Startup Repair, then your next option is to try using your Windows 10 installation media to fix the boot error.



After booting into setup, choose the Repair your computer option >
Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.

Once you have the command prompt up on screen, type the following commands one by one and hit Enter after each command.

• BOOTREC /FIXMBR
  
• BOOTREC /FIXBOOT
  
• BOOTREC /RebuildBcd
  
• bcdboot C:\Windows /l en-us /s G: /f ALL
  

Once the above commands are executed successfully, remove the USB drive and check if you are able to boot into Windows.



If you are still unable to boot into Windows, then I suggest you to post your query in
IT Pro TechNet Forums, where we have support professionals who are well equipped with the knowledge
on Linux and answer all your questions related to Linux EFI files.



Please feel free to contact us back, in case you have any other questions/issues with Windows in future.

 

remove linux and reinstall vista ultimate

Ubuntu=Live CD->7 installation steps where partitioning is done automaticall.
Windows= Many steps+ selecting the drive to instal to.

and the part where you said you should never make linux your sole OS angered me.
Also, you can install windows over linux and then put grub back to make it dual boot. Just use gparted to resize the drive. Then install windows on the new partition. Use super grub disk to restore grub.