How to Remove Multiple Windows Boot Manager Entries in BIOS

Scenario: Removing multiple Windows Boot Manager entries in BIOS

“I own an Intel NUC computer. Recently, I encountered a system issue, leading me to opt for a restore using my Clonezilla image. However, following the restoration process, I encountered startup difficulties. Notably, I now observe the presence of two entries for Windows Boot Manager within my NUC's BIOS settings. I have attempted various approaches to address this issue. Some have suggested using a tool, which I have indeed installed. This tool highlights the existence of the two Windows Boot Manager entries. Regrettably, I am struggling to determine which entry should be removed. I fear that deleting the wrong one could potentially result in boot failures or errors.

It's important to note that my system is currently functioning without any problems. Nevertheless, this situation is causing me some concern. Would appreciate it if any experts chime in on any advice or method.”

Some users find there are multiple Windows Boot Manager entries in BIOS when they go to BIOS to check the settings. Although the system can boot and run well, this problem sometimes makes users worry. And some unnecessary boot entries are caused by some errors, if you don’t fix this issue, you might confront some boot errors in the future.

Why are there multiple Windows Boot Manager entries in BIOS?

Having multiple entries for Windows Boot Manager in your BIOS can occur for a variety of reasons. Here are some common explanations for this occurrence:

Multiple operating systems: If you have multiple operating systems installed on different partitions or hard drives, each one may have its own entry in the Windows Boot Manager. This is especially common if you have a dual-boot setup with different versions of Windows or other operating systems like Linux.

Windows updates: Sometimes, major Windows updates or upgrades can create new entries in the Boot Manager. This can happen if the update involves changes to the boot process or system files.

Failed installations or restorations: If a Windows installation or system restoration process was interrupted or failed, it might leave behind additional entries in the Boot Manager.

Bootable external devices: Bootable external devices such as USB drives or external hard drives that have their own bootable systems can also create entries in the Boot Manager.

Bootloader issues: Problems with the bootloader or Boot Configuration Data (BCD) can lead to multiple entries. This might occur if the BCD becomes corrupted or if you've performed certain system repairs.

Misconfigured BIOS/UEFI settings: Incorrect BIOS/UEFI settings might cause the system to create additional entries. For instance, if the boot order is set to prioritize different drives during different boot attempts, it can result in multiple entries.

In all, multiple boot entries usually appear when you install multiple copies of Windows on the machine, Windows updates its boot manager configuration so that at boot time you can choose which version you want to run.

How to remove multiple Windows boot entries in Windows 10

Since multiple Windows boot entries might cause some problems, in this part, we’ll show you how to remove UEFI boot entries in Windows 10.

Way 1. Delete unnecessary Boot Manager

Step 1. Access the BIOS and identify the duplicate boot manager entries. You can search for how to enter BIOS on your device. Take note of their corresponding drive locations or labels.

Step 2. Boot into one of the Windows installations associated with the duplicate boot manager entries.

Step 3. Press "Windows + X" to open the Quick Access menu, and then select "Command Prompt (Admin)".

Step 4. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: bcdedit. This command will display the boot configuration data. Take note of the identifiers for the duplicate boot manager entries.

Step 5. To remove the duplicate boot manager entry, type the following command and press Enter: bcdedit /delete {identifier} (replace {identifier} with the appropriate identifier for the duplicate entry).

Step 6. Verify the changes. You can type the bcdedit command again to ensure that the duplicate entry has been successfully removed.

Step 7. Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer to verify that the duplicate Windows Boot Manager entry no longer appears in the BIOS.

Way 2. Remove multiple boot option in System Configuration

Step 1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This will open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Type msconfig into the Run dialog box and press Enter or click OK. This will open the System Configuration utility.

Step 3. In the System Configuration window, click on the "Boot" tab located at the top of the window. Here, you'll find a list of all the boot options available on your system.

Step 4. Carefully review the list of boot options and identify the one you want to delete. Typically, the unnecessary options are duplicates or leftovers from previous operating systems or installations.

Step 5. Select the unnecessary boot option by clicking on it to highlight it. Click "Delete"

Once the unnecessary boot option is selected, click on the "Delete" button. A confirmation dialog may appear asking if you want to delete the entry.

Step 6. If a confirmation dialog appears, verify that you have selected the correct boot option, and then click "OK" to proceed with the deletion.

Step 7. After deleting the unnecessary boot option, click on the "Apply" button to save the changes made to the boot configuration.

Step 8. To apply the changes fully, you need to restart your computer. Close any open programs and files, then click on "Restart" in the prompt that appears after clicking "Apply."

Step 9. After your computer restarts, it should now boot directly into the desired operating system or the remaining boot options. Verify that the unnecessary boot option has been successfully removed.

Way 3. Securely manage multiple boot manager via the expert tool

As mentioned above, to ensure a smooth booting process, it’s important to delete the multiple boot manager. If your PC can't even start up, but you're not sure which boot options can be removed, use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to securely erase superfluous boot options.

This disk and PC manager enables users to construct a bootable problem repair USB in order to utilize the program before accessing the system to repair a variety of issues. Users may even manage boot manager while Windows is running using the "UEFI BIOS Boot Options Manager" feature. Once you've chosen a boot option, the information will appear in the right column. As a result, you don't have to bother about eliminating the incorrect alternatives.

Notes:
The "UEFI BIOS boot options manager" function is exclusively compatible with GPT disks. If your disk is currently in MBR format, you'll need to convert to GPT disk before using the software.
If the Windows boot manager is the current boot environment, the "delete" option will be grayed out. In such cases, you can delete it once you boot from other available boot items.

Step 1. Install and open AOMEI Partition Assistant. Navigate to the "Tools" main tab and choose "UEFI BIOS Boot Options Manager".

Step 2. Boot your computer using an alternative startup item. Locate "Windows Boot Manager" and select the "Remove" button on the right.

Step 3. After successfully deleting the Windows Boot Manager, you have the option to either restart your computer immediately by clicking "Restart Now" or simply close the Manager window by selecting "Cancel".

To sum up

Don't be alarmed if you find multiple Windows Boot Manager entries in BIOS; this is a fixable problem. Users may effectively delete duplicate entries and guarantee a smooth booting procedure by understanding the causes of this duplication and following the step-by-step guidance offered in this article.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a very useful application for Windows users; it can clone a disk, migrate only the operating system, relocate installed programs and folders, test disk speed, expand drive capacity, and so on. It also includes the Server version for Windows Server systems, as well as additional advanced variants for various requirements.