We’ve seen this Ubuntu installer for Windows before, but now it has new features and a new name: Wubi Beta. It uses no confusing lingo, and even lets you choose a variety of options that similar applications don’t offer:
- Choose the drive to install Ubuntu (should have at least 10GB available)
- Choose how much room to reserve for Ubuntu (minimum is 4GB while 8GB is recommended)
- Chose whether to install Ubuntu (GNOME), Kubuntu (KDE), Xubuntu (XFCE), or UbuntuStudio (for multimedia workstations).
- Choose your language
- Pick your username and password
After you get done with that screen it will just tell you to reboot your computer where you will then choose Ubuntu during the bootup sequence…piece of cake! This actually uses a Virtual Partition Manager known as LVPM to keep your Ubuntu installation in a single self-contained file. The reason why that is good is that if you ever decide that you don’t like Ubuntu (or one of the other Linux distributions Wubi offers) you can uninstall it just like you would any other Windows application:
Now you’re probably thinking to yourself "why not just use a LiveCD if someone wants to try it out?" The reason being that a LiveCD can’t retain any configuration and settings after the computer is restarted, so if you want to install some drivers or reconfigure some of the options you’ll be able to restart Ubuntu without loosing the things you altered.
I haven’t tried this out myself because I already have Ubuntu installed on a partition, but this looks like a viable alternative for someone wanting to try out Ubuntu without going through the typical installation.
Wubi Homepage
Thanks Radu!
if im reading this correctly, than this installer runs in Windows, and sets up the partition correctly so you can have Windows and Ubuntu?
It doesn’t seem to be connecting to the download server. It doesn’t even seem to be trying in fact: the connection attempt message disappears so fast all I can ever read is the http://!
I would LOVE to use Ubuntu, but im scared shitless that something is going to happen to my computer.
Do the 2 operating systems interact with each other, could installing something in windows mess with Ubuntu, and vice versa?
Just to clarify, Wubi installs Ubuntu within a file inside your windows partition, and adds an entry to the windows bootloader. Other than that Windows is not affected. There is no partioning required (it’s just a file), no CD to burn, no change in the bootloader (you use the windows bootloader), and if you do not like it you can simply uninstall it. It’s fair to say that Wubi brings about a small revolution to Linux installers, and it redefines the schemes. Wubi sits between a demo and a full installation, bringing you the best of both words. It works like a real installation but it is easy and safe to install and remove like a demo. And yes, you can “upgrade” to a dedicated partition later on if you so wish (thanks to LVPM). So forget about try-and-then-install schemes, the new mantra is install-and-then-try. This is probably the simples OS installer ever, of any OS. Have you ever seen a 1-click OS installer? Beat that!
I’ve gone the Live CD route & the HD install on a second partition. My problem is something, I’m guessing a driver (probably mouse) is causing a freeze of the Ubuntu OS. Ideas guys & gals?
I think the Anonymous commenter covered a lot of the questions asked, so thanks a ton for that. I’m not sure why you’re having a problem connecting to the server Tom, because I had no troubles getting the download process to start.
@edwest: When does it freeze up?
After starting & showing the desktop.
I’m assuming that you don’t have wireless networking that you’re trying to use? That might cause some sort of issue if it doesn’t recognize the network card.
In fact, Ryan, I do have wireless net. Computer is a HP Pavilion that replaced my tower & is four years old. The card is internal. Perhaps if I purchased a new network adapter (to go w/my new router:~ ) Ubuntu would be happy?
Yeah, it sounds like as soon as Ubuntu would be kicking the wireless on it is having issues, so it must be related to the internal card. I’m not sure if you can disable it somehow, but it might help. You could also download an older version of an Ubuntu Live CD and see if it has any troubles.
Hi,
I tried Wubi recently but I wasn’t able to use it with Ubuntu 7.10. All it accepted was Ubuntu 7.04. Is there a point I missed (can we choose what version number we want) or do I have to wait until Wubi is updated to accept this new version of Linux ?
It’s currently in the alpha stage, but you can try it out: [wubi-installer.org]
OK thanks ! I think I’ll just wait (I don’t like the idea of an alpha program messing with my boot system ^^).