I'm making the switch to Linux, specifically Ubuntu, and I've created a separate partition for it while keeping Windows 10 on my drive. Now, I'm looking to fully commit to Linux and need some guidance on how to properly delete the Windows partition while ensuring my Ubuntu installation remains intact. Any clear steps or advice would be appreciated!
4 Answers
You can just delete or even reformat the Windows partitions. If it were me, I'd do a fresh install of Ubuntu. That way you're starting clean without leftover Windows stuff.
You can easily use GParted on Ubuntu to delete your Windows partitions. Typically, there are about four partitions associated with Windows. However, it's best to boot from an Ubuntu live USB when doing this to avoid problems caused by deleting active partitions.
Before you proceed, make sure to back up any important data. A fresh install from a live USB or installation image is the way to go! This will let you utilize the entire drive without partition hassles. I find it annoying when I misjudge the space I need and end up playing partition Tetris.
A couple of things to keep in mind: What bootloader are you currently using? If it’s the Windows bootloader, you’ll need to install a Linux bootloader before deleting Windows. Also, make sure you don’t need any data from the Windows partition first. After that, you can use GParted or another partition manager to delete it. Just be careful!
I tried using GParted to delete the Windows partition, and now I have 425 GB unallocated. I'm having trouble adding that space to my Linux partition. Any tips?