Problem uninstalling Xubuntu from Windows XP


Recommended Posts

I decided to install Xubuntu 8.04 inside my Windows installation from the ISO file I downloaded [Wubi]. After having some fun, I decided to uninstall it, and this where the problem arises.

When I clicked the uninstall button in my Add/Remove Window in XP, nothing happens, there is no activity related to the uninstallation of Xubuntu. I had a similar problem a few days back, so I decided to remove all related files and mistakenly deleted ntldr file which resulted in a terrible mess.

Anyways, help me out guys!

Yeah, ntldr is a Windows file. Very important, and has nothing to do with Linux. Don't know why you deleted it, but I think you can pop in the XP CD and boot into "recovery console" and do a fixboot to have it repair itself.

Also, since Linux isn't a Windows app, you won't see it under the Windows "add/remove programs" button.

I'm not very familiar with wubi, but it is a virtual filesystem creator, so you don't have to repartition, and then Ubuntu gets "installed" onto some filesystem images that exist on your NTFS partition. I would think that merely removing these filesystem images would "remove" Ubuntu quite well. :yes:

If wubi installs GRUB as your boot loader, then you can also do a fixmbr at your XP CD boot "repair console" to set the Microsoft boot loader into the MBR.

That should be about it, really. Remove the filesystem images, and restore Microsoft boot from the recovery console (if wubi installed GRUB).

NTLDR is Missing:

  Quote
1. Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.

2. When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.

3. Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.

4. Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.

5. You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password.

6. Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk.

In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM drive letter, which in this case is "e." This letter may be different on your computer.

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\

copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot.

Try that.

^^^ Why use a solution (logging in and copying files to a specific drive letter) that is more complex than it has to be?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315233 <== Perform "Resolution" item #1, and you are done. (Y)

There was a bug in earlier versions of Wubi which left its entry behind in Add/Remove, despite having uninstalled Ubuntu. You can delete the entry by editing the registry. Remove the Wubi entry at the following address:

HKeyLocalMachine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\

  markjensen said:
Yeah, ntldr is a Windows file. Very important, and has nothing to do with Linux. Don't know why you deleted it, but I think you can pop in the XP CD and boot into "recovery console" and do a fixboot to have it repair itself.

Also, since Linux isn't a Windows app, you won't see it under the Windows "add/remove programs" button.

I'm not very familiar with wubi, but it is a virtual filesystem creator, so you don't have to repartition, and then Ubuntu gets "installed" onto some filesystem images that exist on your NTFS partition. I would think that merely removing these filesystem images would "remove" Ubuntu quite well. :yes:

If wubi installs GRUB as your boot loader, then you can also do a fixmbr at your XP CD boot "repair console" to set the Microsoft boot loader into the MBR.

That should be about it, really. Remove the filesystem images, and restore Microsoft boot from the recovery console (if wubi installed GRUB).

Oh don't worry about the ntldr, I managed to download the file and place it in the C: using the Ubuntu LiveCD. Easy as that.

  Wilhelmus said:
NTLDR is Missing:

Try that.

I solved that. I just mentioned it in my post to demonstrate that I have done something about removing Xubuntu.

  Mr Fish said:
There was a bug in earlier versions of Wubi which left its entry behind in Add/Remove, despite having uninstalled Ubuntu. You can delete the entry by editing the registry. Remove the Wubi entry at the following address:

HKeyLocalMachine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\

All my Linux files are intact. So it is not the entry problem. Besides, I see it every time in the boot menu.

  • 3 weeks later...

Finally got the problem solved. Here is how I did it:

1) Microsoft Support [Click]

2) Backup your boot.ini

3) Edit your boot.ini

4) In the boot.ini file, delete the line c:/wubildr = "Xubuntu" or something similar to that. Click Ok and close. With that you have removed the boot entry and you will no longer be shown a choice of Xubuntu or Windows XP during boot.

5) Remove the related Xubuntu files manually by deleting them:

(i) C:/wubildr and wubildr.mbr

(ii) [The drive in which you installed Xubuntu]:/ubuntu,wubildr and wubildr.mbr

You re done.

To remove the entry in Add/Remove, use Mr Fish's method:

  Quote
There was a bug in earlier versions of Wubi which left its entry behind in Add/Remove, despite having uninstalled Ubuntu. You can delete the entry by editing the registry. Remove the Wubi entry at the following address:

HKeyLocalMachine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\

Thanks for your help guys!

  • 2 weeks later...
  Quote
Also, since Linux isn't a Windows app, you won't see it under the Windows "add/remove programs" button.

Yes it is, he used wubi, so yes, it IS a windows apps. It just require a reboot to use it, but it is in C:/Program Files/ and got an entry in add ans remove program.

^^^ Linux is not a Windows app.

wubi does, however, place a sort of entry to "uninstall" that resets the MBR and removes the imaged filesystem. So, I guess to the user it does appear this way.

In the end, reset the MBR and you are free to remove the image file.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Dude, if that's all your mom does on her computer, then Linux is perfect for her. Your mom is the ideal Linux user, believe it or not. I personally recommend Linux Mint Cinnamon, as it's very Windows-like in terms of UI and UX. https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=319 Just pick any mirror and away you go. You can try it as a live image before installing it to see if your mom will actually like it.
    • Even Edge on Android supports extensions like AdGuard and uBlock and it has its own ad blocked integrated as well. Google Chrome is actually the worst mobile browser if you're worried about ads and privacy.
    • I mentioned cable service one pays for yet you still see ads. What's the difference if it's a service or a device? Sure cable and streaming services are optional but your not watching a whole lot in the way of content on your TV without them. No one is required to use Apple Pay/Wallet and the fact it can't be uninstalled is not really relevant to anything. It was mentioned a setting is coming to disable those ads even if one is using the free service. As far as I know those disclaimers are in the end user agreement. No one reads them. LOL It could be a pop-up message but most would just "click" past it. Regardless, everyone already knows they will see ads on their devices at some point and should not be surprised. There is a lot of intrusive advertising out there. Just walk outside your house and go anywhere and your eyes will be assaulted with ads. That is something I wish would be regulated more. TBH I see zero ads on my PCs (Linux and ad-blockers FTW!) and ads on my phone and tablet are very limited. One ad from Apple Pay/Wallet (that I have not seen on my iPad) is not even making my top 100 concerns.
    • Until robo taxis are like "johny cab" in the movie "Total Recall"...I'll pass.
    • I have Windows 11 on only one machine; it will stay that way for the foreseeable future. (Windows Vista and Windows 10 are the predominant operating systems on these machines).
  • Recent Achievements

    • Reacting Well
      pelaird earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • Mentor
      The Werewolf went up a rank
      Mentor
    • First Post
      Myriachan earned a badge
      First Post
    • Week One Done
      DrRonSr earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      Sharon dixon earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      600
    2. 2
      ATLien_0
      213
    3. 3
      +FloatingFatMan
      165
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      151
    5. 5
      Som
      148
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!