Install Ubuntu without partitioning with Wubi

Posted by Martin in Linux, Operating Systems, Tools  Tags: , , , ,

13

Jun



Many novice users fear the technical process that has do be done before or during the installation of a Linux distribution. Partitioning is something that most are not familiar with and the fear to do something wrong and wreck their standard operating system is probably one of the main reasons why many users do not install a Linux distribution.

Wubi is a sweet little program that lets us install Ubuntu - or Kubuntu, Xubuntu and UbuntuStudio - without partitioning your hard disks at all. “Wubi adds an entry to the Windows boot menu which allows you to run Linux. Ubuntu is installed within a file in the windows file system (c:\wubi\disks\system.virtual.disk), this file is seen by Linux as a real hard disk.”

So, the main difference is that Ubuntu is installed into a file instead of its own partition which is a great way to test the Linux distribution without having to partition your hard drives. Ubuntu is not running in a virtual environment at all, this is a real installation. The Windows boot manager will give you the choice to either boot Windows or Ubuntu at every startup from then on.

It is also easy to uninstall Ubuntu again by simply using the Add or Remove Programs dialog in Windows.

wubi ubuntu

I can’t think of an easier way to try and test Ubuntu on your computer without installing it. Live CDs are nice but I personally do not like to play disk jockey whenever I want to try the Live CD.

Wubi is workinx extremely stable although it is currently in beta.


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14 Users Commented In This Post

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cc says:

this seems like a handy piece of software for folks who are clueless or uncomfortable about things like booting from live CDs. Its nice to see linux stuff being simplified as well.

p5chin says:

wow…nice find.. will give it a try!!!!

Vijeesh says:

My problem is Wubi tries to download Ubuntu when installing.
It would be much better if I could download the Ubuntu image separately and run Wubi setup so it doesn’t download the image itself. I read in some forums that it could be done by placing the Ubuntu image in the same folder as the Wubi setup file.
Did you install Wubi directly?

CNET.ro - » Ubuntu (ca) program în Windows says:

[...] puţin în cazul meu nu a mers, până nu am făcut o instalare… normală. Iată că astăzi GHacks semnalează o altă metodă care pare de succes. Soluţia poartă numele Wubi, fiind un program [...]

Alan says:

nice thing~ thanks ;)

hope i got this software earlier… installed ubuntu just 48 hrs ago….

WizzKid says:

Hello

I have the same problem as Vijeesh. I have got an copy of Ubuntu Desktop Edition (I got it last night). Every day I look at your website, and stumbled Wubi, downloaded it and noticed as I click on the setup, it will start to download Ubuntu, as I have a very slow internet connection it will take close to 24hours! What can I do? Is there any way I can come accross this, please reply!

Great website btw!
Neil

Martin says:

You need to have the alternate version. You have to check “Check here if you need the alternate desktop CD. This CD does not include the Live CD, instead it uses a text-based installer.” during download.

If you did this you got the right version. I got a fast connection (16Mbit) which means I let the installer download the latest Ubuntu version.

presto says:

Yeah, I’m still not getting that people are afraid to let go of Windows. ??? Install Linux inside of Windows? That’s the way to go, for insecure, masochistic followers.

sindre says:

Hi,
if you want to dual-boot with Vista installed in the first place you will need an additional program called EasyBCD available from Ubuntuforums (registration needen in order to download).

Caleb says:

Vijeesh and WizzKid, if you have the correct ISO of the latest Ubuntu alternate CD just place it in the same directory as you Wubi installer and it will pick it up and use it (skipping the download process).

Michael says:

I tried it on an IBM Netvista M42 (Celeron 1.7, 512MB ram and integrated graphics) and the video detection did not work correctly. Ubuntu would only run at 640×480, I couldn’t change the resolution.

Install Ubuntu without partitioning with Wubi « Taste the Bite of Byte says:

[...] Courtesy–gHacks Filed under: Uncategorized   |   [...]

Nathan says:

Hello,
I have “ubuntu-7.04-desktop-i386.iso” on my D:/ drive and “Wubi-7.04.04″ on the D:/ as well. Do I have to make a folder for them both so that they are “in the same directory”? It started to download every time, I canceled, and then deleated the folder it made called “wubi” that had the grub booter, some .msi files, etc. Anyway, help!

Nate

Lu says:

Hello,

i have an ASUS A6 laptop with an Intel Celeron 1.86 GHz. processor, memory 384 RAM DDR II, ATI Radeon Xpress200M 128 MB video card (integrated) and 80 GB HDD.
I just recieved the Ubuntu CD’s i’ve ordered (normal PC edition) and I am unable to launch the LiveCD. I changed the boot device order to optical drive first then HDD. The Ubuntu screen appears, i select “Launch or install Ubuntu” then the ” loading Linux kernel” window appears, but after that the screen turns black and a horizontal white line blinks in the top left corner. I have waited around 20 minutes and the program did not start; I restarted the computer and tried again, but the same problem occured.
I would appreciate your help.

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