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Preinstalled OS Replacement

Discussions center on methods, challenges, and advice for wiping or replacing factory-installed Windows on new PCs with Linux, older Windows versions, or clean installs, including bootloader conflicts and partition issues.

➡️ Stable 0.5x Hardware
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#4453
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Top Contributors

fuzzfactor (28) rbanffy (13) mixmastamyk (12) brudgers (11) pjc50 (10)

Keywords

GRUB install.iso XFCE OP IsoBuster FWIW PC OS XP MSDN windows install partition linux boot booting installed recovery ubuntu backup

Sample Comments

gerggerg • Oct 31, 2011 • View on HN

This will also make installing previous versions of windows impossible no?

aragilar • Jan 16, 2026 • View on HN

That's why you install linux on it (or reinstall Windows).

ipdashc • Dec 18, 2023 • View on HN

Hm, I'm confused- why you do not just wipe the Windows install entirely then?

em3rgent0rdr • Nov 10, 2017 • View on HN

Maybe to replace the hard drive or fresh install. Or want a backup to return to after testing out a linux install which might fail.

LoSboccacc • Dec 3, 2017 • View on HN

I can reinstall windows 7, xp, heck 3.11 just fine thank you

Waterluvian • Nov 7, 2023 • View on HN

“If you want to boot your OS from scratch…”

timbit42 • Oct 24, 2022 • View on HN

Just reinstall Windows before the first boot. I've been doing that for over 20 years. Works great.

maximus-decimus • Mar 30, 2023 • View on HN

Not OP, but they deleted the boot loader of when windows drive when I installed Ubuntu on a different drive... not cool, Cannonical.

lstodd • Oct 26, 2025 • View on HN

Just force. Install linux and find an excuse like you'll do windows next week because reasons. Works wonders.

ThrowawayTestr • Dec 25, 2022 • View on HN

Forget it, I'll just install windows.