How to delete old boot menu options on Windows

Dual-booting Windows 10 is beneficial, but it can leave you with redundant boot options in the menu. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to delete old boot menu options on Windows 10.

How to delete old boot menu options on Windows

Understanding Windows Boot Manager

Windows Boot Manager is a vital software component that launches during system startup. The boot manager code loads from the Active system partition, often labeled as System Reserved to prevent accidental overwrites. This manager facilitates the starting of Windows installations.

Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

The latest versions of Windows store Boot Configuration Data (BCD) in a database structure similar to a registry, enhancing safety. BCD supports both BIOS and EFI systems, allowing configuration editing using the BCDEdit tool.

Steps to Delete Old Boot Menu Options on Windows 10

Method Steps
1. Hide Options
  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings panel.
  2. Navigate to Update & Security > Recovery and under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
  3. Select Use another operating system > Change defaults. Here you can set the Windows Boot Manager timer screen and Choose a default operating system.
2. Use MSConfig
  1. Type msconfig in the Start menu search bar and select Best Match.
  2. Open the Boot tab.
  3. You can set the default operating system, timeout screen, and other boot options.
  4. Highlight the operating system you want to remove and press Delete. Remember not to delete the item marked Default OS.
3. Use BCEdit
  1. Enter cmd in the search bar, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Type bcdedit/export c:\bcdbackup and press Enter to backup BCD settings.
  3. Type bcdedit /v to list available boot loaders.
  4. Copy the identifier of the bootloader you want to remove, then type bcdedit /delete {identifier} to delete the entry.
BCDEdit Command Window

Conclusion

By following these methods, you can efficiently manage and delete old boot menu options on Windows 10. This cleaning process ensures a smoother boot experience and enhances system performance. Remember to always back up important data before making changes to your boot configuration.

Windows Boot Menu Options

We hope you find this guide useful. For more tips and tricks, check out our other articles on managing your Windows operating system.

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

25 Comments

  1. Linda O. -

    If anyone is hesitant, just remember to create a restore point before making changes

  2. Mèo con -

    I’m just relieved to have fixed my boot menu! You saved my sanity.

  3. Bradley A. -

    I removed three old boot options that I didn’t even know existed. It looks so much cleaner now

  4. Kevin IT -

    Do I have to remove all boot options? I heard some can be useful for troubleshooting

  5. Lily Green -

    Great article! I’ve always wanted to delete those old boot options but didn’t know how. This is super helpful

  6. Ella Cute -

    This makes me feel less overwhelmed! The boot menu can be so cluttered. The visuals you added helped a lot!

  7. Huyền Lizzie -

    This guide is exactly what I needed! My boot menu was so cluttered; now I can find my OS easily

  8. Linda C. IT -

    Changing boot options can be risky! Always double-check before you remove anything

  9. Oscar 777 -

    Can you clarify if this method works for all versions of Windows? I’m on Windows 10.

  10. Hannah James -

    Wow, I just cleared out a bunch of old boot options following this guide! Thank you so much!

  11. Jessie K. -

    I found it funny how long I let those boot options linger. This is a must-read for anyone with a messy menu

  12. Thùy Linh -

    I had a scary experience deleting options last time. Glad to see a detailed guide this time

  13. Hương Đà Nẵng -

    Thanks for the tips! Windows doesn’t make it easy for us to clean up sometimes

  14. John Doe -

    Thanks for the guide! It really helped me clear out the old boot menu options from my Windows setup. I was so confused before, but your detailed steps made it easy

  15. Alex R. -

    The section on using "msconfig" was particularly helpful. I didn’t even know about that tool!

  16. David B. -

    I had no idea this was even possible. Thank you for breaking it down so simply

  17. Nancy Fun -

    LOL, I almost deleted my current Windows version! Thank goodness for your guide

  18. Paul Walker -

    I didn’t realize this was an option! Thanks for making this so easy to understand.

  19. Mike 1985 -

    Does this process affect my current operating system? I don’t want to accidentally delete something important.

  20. Sara 101 -

    One thing to note is to back up your system before making changes. It’s always better to be safe

  21. Sarah Joy -

    Just tried it and loved how easy it was! I used to dread going into the boot menu

  22. Tommy Cat -

    I thought I was the only one dealing with this issue! Glad to see others are finding this useful too

  23. Grace Lee -

    Your explanation about using the command prompt was super clear. I appreciate your tips!

  24. Emily Bright -

    I shared this article with my friends! I think many of us struggle with old boot options

  25. Tina Honey -

    I always felt like those boot options were just taking up space. Now my menu is neat and tidy

Leave a Comment

How to Free Up 48GB on Windows 11 PC Without Losing Any Important Data

How to Free Up 48GB on Windows 11 PC Without Losing Any Important Data

Between temporary files, outdated backups, duplicate data, and unused apps, there are plenty of ways to reclaim space without touching your personal files.

How to view computer configuration easily and quickly

How to view computer configuration easily and quickly

There are many ways for you to view your computer configuration, view your laptop configuration.

Check MD5 and SHA1 to check file integrity

Check MD5 and SHA1 to check file integrity

We will use a specialized program to check the MD5 and SHA1 codes of the file to see if there are any errors in the file. And the MD5 check software HashCalc is one of the quite useful tools to check MD5 and SHA1 codes.

What is the AppData folder in Windows? When should I use it?

What is the AppData folder in Windows? When should I use it?

Have you ever stumbled upon the mysterious AppData folder while rummaging through files on your computer or trying to get a Minecraft mod to work?

How to show hidden files and folders on Windows 10/8/7

How to show hidden files and folders on Windows 10/8/7

To view hidden files, hidden folders, hidden system files on Windows is quite simple. Readers can see detailed instructions on showing hidden files and viewing file extensions in this article.

Fix Windows + Shift + S shortcut not working on Windows 10

Fix Windows + Shift + S shortcut not working on Windows 10

The Win + Shift + S shortcut in Windows 10 allows users to capture a portion or the entire screen and copy it to the clipboard. In most cases, this feature works as expected, but sometimes it can become unresponsive.

12 ways to quickly access Settings on Windows 10

12 ways to quickly access Settings on Windows 10

On Windows 10, Microsoft integrated a new application called Settings. This Settings application is a Metro application created by Microsoft to replace the classic Control Panel application.

List of useful Alt shortcuts to insert special characters in Windows

List of useful Alt shortcuts to insert special characters in Windows

Simply hold down the Alt key and type the corresponding number to insert a special character. If you have memorized the code of your favorite special character, you can insert it in less than a second.

Instructions for sharing files using Nearby Sharing Windows 11

Instructions for sharing files using Nearby Sharing Windows 11

Nearby Sharing Windows 11 is a built-in sharing feature on your computer that lets you send files or web pages directly to others.

How to fix IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error on Windows

How to fix IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error on Windows

The IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL error is a memory-related error that typically occurs when a system process or driver attempts to access a memory address without proper access permissions.

Turn off Windows Defender (Windows Security) on Windows 10, Windows 11

Turn off Windows Defender (Windows Security) on Windows 10, Windows 11

How to completely disable Windows Defender on Windows 10? There are several ways to disable Windows Defender on Windows 10, please see the detailed instructions below.

How to use IE Mode to replace the recently discontinued Internet Explorer

How to use IE Mode to replace the recently discontinued Internet Explorer

From Windows 11, Internet Explorer will be removed. In this article, WebTech360 will guide you how to use Internet Explorer on Windows 11.

Repair Windows without losing data with just one USB

Repair Windows without losing data with just one USB

If your computer is having problems that prevent it from booting, such as a constant blue screen of death (BSoD), there is still hope. Grab a USB and this article will show you how to fix it.

Guide to automating Windows maintenance using Task Scheduler

Guide to automating Windows maintenance using Task Scheduler

With the Task Scheduler built into Windows, you can automate everything from daily cleaning to launching your favorite apps at startup.

9 Windows Features You Should Turn On By Default

9 Windows Features You Should Turn On By Default

Windows comes with a lot of useful features that are hidden or disabled by default, although they are good enough to be enabled on first launch.