Remove a Windows XP Partition

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Level 1

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Remove a Windows XP Partition

Quite a while ago, I partitioned my Hard Drive on my MacBook Pro's hard drive using BootCamp Assistant, and installed Windows XP on the partition.

I've been running low on space in my OS X drive and haven't used my Windows partition in a long time, so I decided to remove the partition.

However, the instructions are unclear about removing a partition if the partition's OS is Windows XP. The check box only says 'Remove Windows 7' and Apple's support page on the issue says "Remove Windows 7 or later version." Since I have Windows XP and not Windows 7 on that partition, I am not sure what to do.

I just want to remove the partition with Windows on it, so that my entire hard drive is for OS X. How can I do

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), Spring '11 Model

Posted on Dec 26, 2013 7:45 PM

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Answer 1

ryguy147 Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 27, 2013 6:18 AM in response to ryguy147

Please, can anyone shed some light on this?

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Answer 2

BobRz

Level 5

6,138 points

Dec 27, 2013 6:24 AM in response to ryguy147

Google "Download Bootcamp 3". That version will let you just remove the partition and restore the whole drive to OS X.

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Answer 3

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Dec 27, 2013 6:25 AM in response to ryguy147

Just run the Boot Camp assistant app again and check Remove Windows Partition, or whatever the option is called, and that partition, along with whatever version of Windows is installed in it, will be removed and the space Auto put back into your Mac OS X partition.

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Answer 4

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Dec 27, 2013 6:26 AM in response to ryguy147

You shouldn't need to download anything. The Boot Camp Assistant app will do all you need.

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Answer 5

ryguy147 Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 27, 2013 6:29 AM in response to LowLuster

The Check Box says 'Remove Windows 7'- will that still work if Windows XP is installed on the partition?

EDIT: There is also a check box that says 'Download the latest Windows support software from Apple'- do I need to download that first to remove the partition, or is that just the software that runs on the Windows partition to keep it running smoothly with Mac's hardware?

Message was edited by ryguy147

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Answer 6

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Dec 27, 2013 6:41 AM in response to ryguy147

The check box for Remove Windows 7 should still work for any version of Windows installed. You really aren't Removing Windows in any fashion like an Uninstall. You are Deleting, removing, the partition Windows is installed on.

No need to download anything. Those support files are for when you install Windows. Yes those support files are the drivers needed for the Mac hardware. You don't need them as you are Removing Windows not installing Windows.

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