How to Remove Windows Startup Hardware Configuration
There are a couple of ways you can remove your current or alternate Windows startup hardware configuration if you have two partitions. If you desire to replace your current boot order with an alternate configuration, you will need to make the changes in the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) Setup Utility. If you are trying to completely remove a startup hardware configuration or boot choice, you will need to make some changes in the Startup and Recovery utility. Realize that if you only have one boot option and you remove it, your computer will render unbootable. Proceed with caution when making these types of changes, since removing an incorrect file can jeopardize the stability of your system.
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Instructions
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Remove Current Windows Startup Configuration
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Restart your computer. Press the "Delete" and the "F2" keys continuously, before Windows starts up. The BIOS Setup Utility screen displays. (The specific keys to access this setup utility might vary depending on your computer's manufacturer.)
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Use your keyboard's arrow keys to select the "Boot" tab on the top of the screen.
The "Removable Devices" list displays on the left pane. The current Startup order displays from top to bottom. -
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Change the startup order if necessary by selecting the drive you wish to change for boot order. Use the "+" or "-" keys on your keyboard to move the selected drive up or down in order.
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Click on the "Exit" tab. Select one of the following options: "Save Changes" or "Exit Saving Changes." Confirm by selecting "Yes" at the "Save configuration changes and exit now?" prompt.
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Restart your computer. The new boot order takes effect immediately.
Remove or Disalbe a Startup Hardware Configuration
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Right-click on "My Computer" and click on "Properties" from the drop-down menu options.
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Click on the "Advanced" tab and click on the "Setting" button under the "Startup and Recovery" section. The "Startup and Recovery" window opens up.
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Click on the "Edit" button under the "System Startup" section. A Notepad document opens up with a few lines of code, similar to this:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /nonexecute=optin /fastdetect -
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Remove the alternate or additional boot choice simply by deleting the line of code that corresponds to the boot choice you wish to remove. For example, you may have Microsoft Windows XP Pro, and another boot choice, such as "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console." Delete the line that corresponds to the one you wish to remove.
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Save the changes on the Notepad document. Click the Notepad's "File" menu and click on "Save," then close the windows.
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Click the "OK" button to confirm changes on the "Startup and Recovery" window.
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