Managing restricted Linux volumes Solving issues with restricted Linux partitions
Managing restricted Linux volumes Solving issues with restricted Linux partitions
Hello! I'm updating the OS on my laptop using paragon drive copy. I was running both Ubuntu and Windows 10 and had to remove the Ubuntu partitions. I deleted the swap and the main Ubuntu partition, but now I'm left with two 1000MB partitions labeled as OEM reserved. I can't delete them through Windows tools. When I power on the computer, a GRUB screen appears and lets me run commands. Pressing escape shows a boot menu where I must select the Windows bootloader. How do I remove the Linux partition and GRUB? I think the reserved partitions include GRUB. Also, after copying my OS drive to an SSD, everything seems fine but the PC doesn't recognize booting from the SSD. In BIOS it shows the SSD is present, yet the boot menu only lists HDD. I'm planning to update the BIOS since it seems limited for Lenovo, and I'd appreciate any advice or information you have.
Hi zedsdeath, yes, the partitions you mentioned aren’t related to Linux or Grub(2). They’re likely your original OEM partitions, which you can use to reinstall Windows (probably). Are you using a laptop? (If not, what’s the storage size?) You can’t really lock a partition table or partition itself—only the operating system manages that. Regarding GRUB, it appears you’re using UEFI. The boot files are stored on the EFI partition, which is part of the UEFI setup. This applies to all modern computers using UEFI. Simply removing partitions won’t remove the bootloader; you’ll need to adjust your BIOS or Windows settings. Some laptops have faulty UEFI configurations, making it hard to edit these entries. The GRUB files should be in the EFI partition and can usually be deleted. You might also need to remove the “grub” or “ubuntu” folder from there to always boot into Windows. For more details, check this link: https://askubuntu.com/questions/304558/u...efi-laptop. Keep in mind, the steps can vary depending on your setup.
You might be dealing with a Windows 10 update issue. It’s best to verify the information yourself since I don’t have specific knowledge about this topic. Also, your partition layout appears inefficient, with scattered free space. You may need to reorganize it for better performance.
I understand it's not ideal, but it was due to the Linux partitions I had. I wouldn't choose Windows if I were more familiar with Linux. I updated the BIOS but didn’t make much progress. I’m okay with the EFI boot entry, but I’m unsure how to set it up. You seem unfamiliar with Windows, but perhaps you can assist in fixing this issue when I power on the laptop.
I thought so, but everyone I asked couldn’t promise I’d keep my Windows 10 license. Do you know anything about that? I’m using the one that came with my laptop.
It seems you might have missed the response, possibly by tapping on the previous one. No worries, I'm here to help! Thank you for your kind words and for reaching out.
You're on EFI, you don't need to use the OEM partition—it's not useful for your needs. Just transfer the EFI and Windows partitions to the SSD, and the BIOS should recognize the Windows bootloader. If not, you can restore the EFI bootloader using a Windows recovery USB.