Ubuntu is an excellent operating system that is used by many these days. As the technology is updated every day, many are opting for dual-boot operating systems.
The most frustrating thing when you install a dual-boot of Ubuntu is that Ubuntu is set as the default OS in the Grub loader. There is an easy way to solve this issue and switch back to using Windows as the default operating system. First Login to Ubuntu Operating System.
Go to System -> Administration -> Startupmanager
It will ask you for the password as it is an administrative task. Enter your Password and press Enter.
In the Startup Manager window, you'll see the below options
Timeout: Timeout in seconds which is set to 10 seconds by default (you can change it as your wish)
Default Operating System: Ubuntu (by default it is set to Ubuntu. Click on the tab and you'll get 5 options)
- Ubuntu with Linux 2.6.35.22 generic
- Ubuntu with Linux 2.6.35.22 generic(Recovery mode)
- Memory test (memtest86+)
- Memory (memtest 86+, serial console 115200)
- Microsoft windows xp professional (on/ext/sda1)
and now you move your cursor to Microsoft windows xp professional (on/ext/sda1) and click it.
Now the default OS will change from Ubuntu to windows. Simply press close tab and Restart your system.
That's it! You can now notice that your system will boot with Windows XP by default.
Note: Some systems may not have the "Startupmanager" option by default. If so Goto Applications -> Accessories -> "Terminal" and type the below code to install it.
sudo apt-get install startupmanager
Follow the set up instructions and you're done. After installing, follow the steps above.
Also See: How to Transform Ubuntu into Mac Using Commands?
Thank you for the info, thanks great post!
ReplyDeleteVery good informations! Thank you !
ReplyDeleteThanks alot, I was trying to figure out how to change the grub. Your solution was a simple tweak.
ReplyDelete[...] How to Set Default OS When Dual Booting with Ubuntu 10.10? [...]
ReplyDeleteThank you for your nice comment for grub, that makes me happy!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, this was a huge help.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to add that if this is a fresh install, you have turn on the 'unsupported' universe apps in the sources list (update manager -> settings) in order to run the apt install line in terminal.
How do you get back to Linux Mint after doing this. I have two hard drives the original that came with computer has windows xp pro media center, the second is one I put in to install Linux Mint. I should have unplugged the first when installing Linux Mint because it won't boot up on its own anymore and instead says it can't find something in a grub command line. I changed the default OS to xp and now I can't get back to Linux Mint. Is there an easy fix for this?
ReplyDeleteProblem solved:
ReplyDeleteBooted LinuxMint live CD, opened terminal and entered commands
"sudo apt-get install lilo"
"sudo lilo -M /dev/sda mbr"
Can now choose which hard drive to boot into LinuxMint or Windows XP with no problems.