Start Windows by default with Ubuntu
Every time the system boots, it shows options to either load Linux or windows. Ubuntu Linux is the default option that is set automatically. If we need to run windows we have to choose windows and press enter. To load Windows automatically instead of Linux by default the following is to be done. Go to
Applications >> Accessories >> Terminal >>
Now type the following exactly as shown below
sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst
Press enter. The root password will be asked and you have to enter it.
You will see this in a new window. I am pasting only the first few lines which are the ones we need
# menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
# grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.
## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify ’saved’ instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command ’savedefault’.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not change this entry to ’saved’ or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0
## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 10
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There is a line where default is set to zero “default 0″. You need to change that number. Here 0 means the very first line that you see when the system boots. Typically you will see a screen with the following options when the system boots.
Ubuntu, Kernel 2.6.17-10-generic
Ubuntu, Kernel 2.6.17-10-generic (recovery mode)
Ubuntu, memtest86+
Other Operating Systems:-
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
In my system I have Windows XP in the fourth line (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4). So I change the default value to 4, save the file and then exit, reboot the system. After which the system will boot windows by default. The timeout is specified as 10 meaning if u do nothing for 10 seconds then the default selected operating system will be started. The timeout can also be changed using the same way as above.
