Step 1. Backup your data

First, make sure that you backup any important data you have on the drive where the Windows version you want to remove is installed. You lose that data if you do not back it up now, while that operating system exists and works well.

Step 2. Remove the boot entry for the Windows version that you want to remove

It is time to remove the boot entry for the Windows operating system that you want to remove. In our example, that is Windows 7. Do this from the version of Windows that you want to keep. For us, that is Windows 10.
Boot to the operating system that you want to keep and start the System Configuration tool. A quick way to launch it is to use the Run window. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard and, in the Run window that opens, enter the command msconfig. Press Enter or click OK and the System Configuration tool opens.


We use the System Configuration tool because it is available in all Windows versions. If you prefer, you can also use any other boot manager tool, but make sure that it is compatible with all the operating systems that you have installed. If you use System Configuration, open it and go to the Boot tab.

On the Boot tab, check if the version of Windows you are about to remove was set as the default boot operating system. If it was, make sure that you change the default to the operating system that you want to keep. To do that, select the Windows operating system that you want to continue using and then press “Set as default.”

Then, choose the Windows version you want removed, press Delete and then click/tap Apply or OK.

To test if everything is OK with the version of Windows that you want to keep, restart the computer and see if you can boot it without problems. You should be able to.