Will upgrading when I have a dual boot mess things up?

My laptop currently runs a duel boot with Windows 7 and Ubuntu. The MBR is GRUB. If I start the upgrade to Windows 10, will it mess up the MBR? Will it remove my ability to boot into Windows? I don't care about the Linux partition, as I never use it. Also, if I upgrade using the media creation tool, will I need my product key, and will I still be activated? This is an OEM version of Windows. Thank you in advance.

Also, this wouldn't cause issues with drivers, would it?

It is not easy to do, I have a triple boot system. Grub needs to be removed and windows 7 mbr restored before upgrading to 10. I found out with doing test when I was with the insider program, each build I had to remove grub or that build wouldn't install and it would roll back to either the last build or windows 7. I guess each future build, you will need to disable grub before installing it. The hardest thing for me was putting grub back on. I got a super grub cd boot disk to make it easier to do that from what Linux system is already install on your system.


As far as the driver question, I don't know.

That stinks. Shame that they have to make it hard for those who like to try anything but Windows. Could you possibly walk me through the process?

computersarecoo said:

That stinks. Shame that they have to make it hard for those who like to try anything but Windows. Could you possibly walk me through the process?

I can try but I will be basing this on my system. My grammar is not that great. The only thing I don't know well is how to restore grub by using a live cd or usb drive. If you know how to backup your system, I suggest you do that first. Please read carefully before deciding to do this. Windows 10 will create a system reserve partition if not all primary partition are in use don't know how that will work with Ubuntu, haven't tested that method.


You will need
Cd/dvd drive
Windows 7 Repair Disk
Super Grub Boot Disk (Don't use on April 1st, developers have a sense of humor)

First thing you will need to do, is reinstall grub from Ubuntu (In case it installed in the wrong spot)

In terminal
Sudo grub-install /dev/sda If this doesn't work try sudo /dev/hda
Enter your sudo password

Then type
Sudo update-grub

Reboot into Ubuntu one more time, then reboot and boot into windows 7

Create the Super Grub Boot disk.
Create the Windows 7 repair disk.
After done re-boot computer (Leave the Windows 7 repair disk in)
When you see the prompt to hit key.
Wait (This could take up to 10 minutes to load)
Choose your keyboard layout. Hit next, the next again if you get a pop up saying your need to repair something, just cancel it.
Choose the command prompt

Then type
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /fixmbr

If it works, type exit. If it doesn't work. You will need to select the other option choose start-up repair (Reboot to cd and do that 2 more times) Then boot up that disk once more and try this again in the command prompt.

bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /fixmbr

reboot (Don't press the key this time, so it won't it boot to the cd) It should boot you directly to windows 7. Remove Windows 7 repair cd.

Install windows 10.


Restore grub only after all windows 10 update and drivers are installed.

To restore grub
When ready insert the Super Grub boot disk.
Restart
Choose Boot Manually
The select the partition your Linux is installed on.
Enter password to log into Ubuntu


In terminal
Sudo grub-install /dev/sda If this doesn't work try sudo /dev/hda
Enter your sudo password

Then type
Sudo update-grub

Eject CD then reboot into whatever system you want to use

I may have missed a step or two.

I decided that I want to remove Ubuntu and GRUB completely. I'm just a bit nervous when it comes to the MBR.

computersarecoo said:

I decided that I want to remove Ubuntu and GRUB completely. I'm just a bit nervous when it comes to the MBR.

That will be a lot easier to do. Here is updated instruction how to recover the Ubuntu Partitions for windows use.

Create the Windows 7 repair disk.
After done re-boot computer (Leave the Windows 7 repair disk in)
When you see the prompt to hit key.
Wait (This could take up to 10 minutes to load)
Choose your keyboard layout. Hit next, the next again if you get a pop up saying your need to repair something, just cancel it.
Choose the command prompt

Then type
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /fixmbr

If it works, type exit and reboot. If it doesn't work. You will need to select the other option choose start-up repair (Reboot to cd and do that 2 more times) Then boot up that disk once more and try this again in the command prompt.

bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /fixmbr

reboot (Don't press the key this time, so it won't it boot to the cd) It should boot you directly to windows 7. Remove Windows 7 repair cd.

Now go to windows disk manager. Delete the Ubuntu partition and the swap partition, be careful not to delete the windows 7 system reserve partition. Expanded windows 7 partition or create additional partitions from the recovered space.

Reboot Windows 7 one more time
upgrade to windows 10

So I should repair the MBR before I remove the Ubuntu partitions? Most sites say to delete the partitions first.

computersarecoo said:

So I should repair the MBR before I remove the Ubuntu partitions? Most sites say to delete the partitions first.

I am trying to remember, it been a long time since I actually removed a Linux partition. I don't think it really matters either way. What I see matters make sure you are booted into windows 7. Otherwise, the repair cd won't see the windows 7 installation.

I hope it works...