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I had a dual boot computer with Ubuntu and Windows. I followed this guide with the 'What if you don't have a Windows Installation', i.e. I ran bcdedit /set “{bootmgr}” path \efi\microsoft\boot\bootmgfw.efi. I actually got 'command completed successfully' and I proceeded to remove my Ubuntu partition. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to boot to Windows.

I then created a bootable Windows USB and tried to follow the 'Remove the GRUB bootloader' section however I got 'Access Denied' when I ran bootrec /fixboot.

I then stumbled across this thread which linked to this thread which said that you can fix it with the bcdboot N:\windows /s M: command (I had to use different letters for my disks but the concept holds).

I now manage to boot into Windows but it needs the USB to be inserted. I understand that it is using the bootloader off of the USB but now I can't switch that back...how can I fix it? I can't boot into the USB as a recovery device, it just defaults to the bootloader now. I can't get back to the command line to set the 'correct' bootloader now. When I try to go to 'Advanced Options' it only shows UEFI Options. If I try to boot without UEFI it defaults to the grub installation.

Any suggestions on how to proceed please?

Nik
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  • Good job on your research, but there's several questions here on this site for similar or the same issue as well. This one looks promising: https://superuser.com/questions/935488/remove-one-of-multiple-operating-system – music2myear Nov 05 '22 at 16:33
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    Does this answer your question? [Remove one of multiple Operating System](https://superuser.com/questions/935488/remove-one-of-multiple-operating-system) – music2myear Nov 05 '22 at 16:33
  • It does not because I don't have access to another bootable USB (my current one is my current boot drive) or Ubuntu. – Nik Nov 05 '22 at 16:36
  • USBs are cheap and easy to get, usually. Are you able to get another? – music2myear Nov 05 '22 at 16:40
  • You need to do Startup Repair, which needs a boot USB. – harrymc Nov 05 '22 at 16:42
  • @harrymc Yes, I mentioned that, however as I said, it is immediately booting into windows using the USB as the bootloader. If I try to enter the Advanced Settings then it only allows me to change the UEFI settings (because I am set to UEFI). If I decide to go to Legacy boot, the BIOS does not detect the USB as a bootable USB so it ends up not working either. I need to break this loop somewhow. – Nik Nov 05 '22 at 17:01
  • @music2myear I tried your solution. Uninstall OS command only allows me to delete Windows which is not what I want. I already deleted the Ubuntu partition anyway so there is no need to further delete an OS. The Fix MBR did not work either. – Nik Nov 06 '22 at 08:42

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