Complete Step-by-Step Guide

How to Delete GRUB
Bootloader from Windows 11

Still seeing the GRUB menu every time you start your PC — even after you've already deleted Ubuntu or Linux? This guide walks you through every step to completely remove GRUB and get Windows 11 booting cleanly again — no third-party tools required.

No third-party tools · Beginner Friendly · Windows 11
Windows 11 GRUB removal overview

Removing Linux from a dual-boot setup doesn't automatically restore the Windows Boot Manager.

Each step includes detailed screenshots and clear instructions so you can follow along even if you're not a power user.

1
Step 1

Remove the Space Allocated for Ubuntu

Open Disk Management and delete the Linux partition.

Press Windows + X and click Disk Management, or search for it in the Start menu.

Look at the list of partitions on your drive. The Linux partition will have no drive letter and will usually show as a RAW or unknown file system. It may also appear as a small partition labeled simply as "Linux" or show no label at all.

  1. Right-click the Linux partition
  2. Select Delete Volume
  3. Confirm when prompted
Delete the Ubuntu partition in Disk Management
Delete the Ubuntu partition in Disk Management
Note: If you have a separate Linux swap partition (usually small, around 2–8 GB), delete that too.
2
Step 2

Allocate the Space Back to Windows

Right-click on the C: drive → Extend Volume → Next → Next → Finish.

Extend unallocated space to C drive
Choose Extend Volume wizard
Use unallocated space with C drive
Note: You can only add the unallocated space to a drive if the unallocated space is to the right of that drive — not to the left.
3
Step 3

Assign a Drive Letter to the EFI Partition (via Command Prompt)

The EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) partition is a small, hidden partition on your drive where bootloader files — including GRUB — are stored. Windows hides it by default, so you need to temporarily assign it a letter to access it.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator (search "cmd" → right-click → Run as administrator → yes), then run these commands:

C:\> diskpart DISKPART> list disk DISKPART> select disk 0 DISKPART> list partition DISKPART> select partition X DISKPART> assign letter=Z
Run diskpart in Command Prompt
Type list disk in diskpart
Select disk 0 in diskpart
List partitions in diskpart
Select EFI partition in diskpart
Assign letter Z to EFI partition
Tip: If you have more than one disk, use list disk to confirm you're working on Disk 0 (your main Windows drive).
4
Step 4

Delete the Ubuntu Bootloader Files from the EFI Partition

Now you'll navigate into the EFI partition and delete the Ubuntu-related bootloader folder.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
  2. Click File → Run new task
  3. Type explorer.exe and check "Create this task with administrative privileges", then click OK
  4. In the File Explorer window that opens, navigate to: This PC → Z: → EFI
  5. You'll see folders inside — look for one named ubuntu
  6. Right-click the ubuntu folder and click Delete
Click Run new task in Task Manager
Browse to This PC in File Explorer
Right-click the Ubuntu folder in EFI
Click on EFI folder in File Explorer
Delete ubuntu folder from EFI
Important: Only delete the ubuntu folder. Do not delete the Microsoft folder — that will prevent Windows from booting.
5
Step 5

Remove the Temporary Drive Letter

Don't leave the EFI partition accessible. Go back to your Command Prompt and remove the letter you assigned:

DISKPART> select volume Z DISKPART> remove letter=Z
The EFI partition is now hidden again. Your system is clean.

Video Tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to delete GRUB from Windows 11?

Yes — as long as you've already removed Linux from your system and you only delete the GRUB-related folder inside the EFI partition. The process does not touch your Windows files or the Windows Boot Manager. Just be careful not to delete the Microsoft folder in the EFI partition.

What happens if I accidentally delete EFI files for Windows?

If you delete the Microsoft folder from the EFI partition, Windows won't be able to boot. You'll need a Windows 11 bootable USB to run Startup Repair and restore the boot files. That's exactly why this guide tells you to only delete the "ubuntu" folder — nothing else.

Why is GRUB still showing after I deleted Ubuntu?

Deleting Ubuntu's partition removes the Linux OS, but it does not remove GRUB from the EFI partition. GRUB lives in a separate hidden partition. It keeps running until you physically delete the ubuntu folder from EFI — which is what Steps 3 and 4 in this guide are for.

Can I remove GRUB without deleting Ubuntu or Linux?

Technically yes, but it's not recommended. If you remove GRUB while Ubuntu is still installed, you'd have no way to boot into Linux at all. The cleaner approach is to remove Linux first, then follow this guide to clean up the bootloader.

Do I need both Command Prompt and Disk Management, or just one?

You need both for the full process. Disk Management handles deleting the Linux partition and merging free space. Command Prompt (via Diskpart) is the only way to access and modify the hidden EFI partition where GRUB lives. Neither tool alone covers everything.

GRUB is Gone.

Your PC now boots directly into Windows 11 — no more GRUB menu, no more Linux remnants. Your drive is clean and fully reclaimed.