Can I uninstall a Linux distro and install another one in the same partition without affecting Windows or GRUB?

This is just something that popped into my mind as I test Ubuntu 11.04 out more, but let's say I don't like Ubuntu and want to convert to Ubuntu 10.04 or Linux Mint. Can I uninstall Ubuntu 11.04 and then install a Linux OS in its place without affecting Windows or GRUB? I would like to be able to fall back to Ubuntu 10.10 or 10.04 if anything goes wrong or I don't like 11.04 that much. Thanks!

grub windows ubuntu linux mint mbr uninstall

asked Jul 29 '11 at 20:56

JordanV
4.1k●62●82●124

2 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

All you have to do is just install the edition you want, making sure that in your options you choose to use the same partition(s) you are using for Linux now. And you can even preserve your "home" partition and not lose any of your collected data.

Keep in mind that it is going to re-write GRUB, but it won't really change anything, and it will still preserve your Windows partition and boot info. It really isn't rocket science. They keep it simple for you.

answered Jul 29 '11 at 21:10

Rich v2
296●1●4●7

Alright good. All I'm really worried about is losing my Windows partition or messing it up because that is always a hassle to fix. Thanks!

(Jul 29 '11 at 21:12) JordanV

When installing a new Linux OS with pre-existing installations on your Hard Drive, when you setup your partitions/install target, make sure it recognizes your pre-installed OS's and ensure when it overwrites your MBR/Boot Loader, it preserves the partition locations so that you can either re-launch the OS's you have installed or choose your new OS and all should be available at boot pre-load that let's you select what you want to do (Usually Grub, rarely LILO).

answered Jul 30 '11 at 01:08

lseidman
60●1

Your answer

toggle preview

community wiki

Follow this question

By Email:

Once you sign in you will be able to subscribe for any updates here

By RSS:

Answers

Answers and Comments

Markdown Basics

*italic* or __italic__
**bold** or __bold__
link:[text](http://url.com/ "title")
image?![alt text](/path/img.jpg "title")
numbered list: 1. Foo 2. Bar
to add a line break simply add two spaces to where you would like the new line to be.
basic HTML tags are also supported

learn more about Markdown

Join Us in the Chat Room

Tags:

windows ×1,936
linux ×503
ubuntu ×371
mint ×32
uninstall ×26
grub ×12
mbr ×2

Asked: Jul 29 '11 at 20:56

Seen: 1,803 times

Last updated: Jul 30 '11 at 01:08

Can I uninstall a Linux distro and install another one in the same partition without affecting Windows or GRUB?

Follow this question

Related questions

Lockergnome.net

Lockergnome