How To Restore Ubuntu After Reinstalling Windows

In a dual boot system with Windows and Ubuntu , it may happen that once Windows is reinstalled, the Ubuntu loader (Grub) which gives a choice to select between Ubuntu and Windows at startup will no longer be available and the system will directly boot to Windows. This is because Windows boot loader will replace Grub and so existing Ubuntu install will no longer be accessible.

To restore Ubuntu, grub needs to be repaired. Fortunately, it is a simple fix due to an excellent tool “Boot Repair”.

Here is how :

First, using the live Ubuntu bootable CD/DVD or USB, access Ubuntu desktop. This desktop would be the live Ubuntu environment and not that of the installed Ubuntu system.This is fine as all that needs to be done is install this Boot Repair tool and run it to fix Grub.

Next, open Terminal and give these commands :

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install boot-repair

installing boot-repair tool in Ubuntu

This will add the required packages and proceed with the installation. All of this is still on live Ubuntu environment so changes won’t be saved but that isn’t important here. Just running this tool to fix Grub  is what is required.

Now launch Boot Repair (either search for it from System Tools or through Unity interface) and enable the options as shown below:

Choose Advanced options for boot-loader

options for boot-repair tool

advanced options for boot-repair tool in Ubuntu

Once done, hit “Apply'” to save these changes and repair Grub. After that restart the system.

Voila! The Ubuntu loader will now again be visible and dual boot between Ubuntu and Windows will work just like before.

Cheers.

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