Dump Windows 10 in dual boot set up

Installing Zorin OS
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I love Zorin and find myself ignoring Windows 10. So I want to dump Windows and regain the disk space for my Linux install. When I installed Zorin my C drive was partioned between the two. Is there a simple method? Alternatively, if i reinstall Zorin can I do so on C drive and will the partions be ignored? Sorry if this sounds dim, but I'm new to Linux

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I believe you could do one of the following:

  1. Format the partition holding the C drive and simply access it as a separate drive inside Zorin (to store media files, for example).
  2. If a clean Zorin install is an option, do that instead. During the installation, remove the partition so it's all one drive.

My current Asus ROG Zephyrus is a gaming laptop where the main internal SSD is partitioned between Win 11 and Zorin. I added an extra 2 TB m.2 SSD, which I can access from both Zorin and Windows.

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Welcome to the Forum!

To delete Windows, you have to do:

  1. Delete the Windows Partition
    That You could do with Gparted. You delete the Parition and then increase Your Zorin Partition over the free Space.

  2. Delete the Windows Boot Manager
    For this You need first a little Package called nautilus-admin to be able use Nautils with Admin rights. To install it open the Terminal and type sudo apt install nautilus-admin but don't wonder that it doesn't show up in the Software List; it is a Plugin for Nautlius and isn't show seperately.
    After it is installed open Nautilus and go to ''other Places'' and choose Your Machine. Then choose the ''boot'' Folder and in this the ''efi'' Folder. When you open this, You have to type in Your Password 2 Times for Access and change Stuff. So, don't wonder because 2 Times. Then go to the ''EFI'' Folder (it is EFI in big Letters this Time). And in this folder You should find a Microsoft Folder. And that one - only that one - You delete.

  3. Make a sudo update-grub to update the Grub. It is neccessarry because You have deleted Windows.

  4. That is an additional Step. Deactivate the GRUB Menu.
    For this open the Terminal andy type sudo nano /etc/default/grub and in the opening Window, you look for the Line GRUB_TIMEOUT= and replace the Number behind the = with a 0 and then press ctrl+o to save the Change, Enter to confirm and ctrl+x to close the Window. Back in the normal Terminal type sudo update-grub to affect the Change.

1 Like
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Thank you - a clean install sounds the most logical next step. I've only used the laptop to 'trial' Zorin until now. It's been years since I have used Linux and the advances in the distros has been astonishing. I can't see any reason to go back to Windows

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Would I have to remove the Windows boot loader if I did a clean install of Zorin? In the BIOS I had to change the EFI loader to legacy devices already so I'm guessing the EFI folder is now by-passed at boot

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When You do a clean Install (choose in the Installation Process the Option ''Erase Disk'') all will be wiped out. The whole Disk. And then Zorin will be installed. If You really sure that You want kick out Windows this is the best Way. But it is Tabula Rasa, too. So, don't forget to save all Your Data that You want to keep. When it is deleted, it is too late.

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Use Gparted to delete the windows drive :grimacing:

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