Install Ubuntu While Running MS Windows (WUBI)

MS Windows users used to fear installing Linux due to loss of data due to partitioning. With the creation of WUBI, that fear has been removed...

What is WUBI? Why Should I Use It?

WUBI stands for "Windows-Based Ubuntu Installer" which is an official and free windows-based installer of Ubuntu Linux.

This installer makes it easy for the user to install Ubuntu Linux. The user (after downloading and burning the Ubuntu CD) can now simply insert the Ubuntu installation CD while MS Windows is running, and then follow the instructions...

Here are some advantages of WUBI:

• No creation of partitions
• No manual resizing of Windows partition
• Works with many versions of MS Windows
• Process to install intuitive, friendly and fast
• linux entry added to windows boot menu (instead of grub bootloader)
• Easy to uninstall

Here are some limitations of WUBI:

• Limited size of Linux partition within Windows (eg. 30 GB)
• Hibernation is not supported
• WUBI filesystem may be more vulnerable to power disruption recoveries

Installing Ubuntu While MS Windows is Running

NOTE: You need to be logged into MS Windows as a user with administrative privileges in order to install Ubuntu Linux.

Steps to Install Ubuntu Linux via WUBI:

1. Boot up MS Windows, and log into your account (with admin privileges).
   
   
2. Insert the Ubuntu Installation CD into the drive.
   
   
3. Depending on your version of Windows, you may need to run the wubi.exe program, and provide your admin password.
   
   
4. A Ubuntu Menu dialog box should appear (refer to top diagram on right-side). This dialog box provides various methods of installing Ubuntu Linux. To install inside MS Windows, select "Install Inside Windows".
   
   

When you have made your selection, another dialog box should appear called "Ubuntu Installer".

1. In that dialog box, check to see if there is enough hard drive space in your windows partition. If not, perhaps you can select another partition that has enough space, or exit the dialog box, free up space and repeat the installation process.
   
   
2. Select the Installation Size. Normally, the maximum size (30 GB) is more than enough space to run Ubuntu Linux and download additional programs. If you require more space for Linux, then you should consider installing from one of the alterative methods .
   
   
3. Select your Desktop environment. The desktop Environment is the graphical interface that allows the user to perform their daily computing tasks. You can install and use many different desktop environments (such as KDE, or Gnome (highly recommended)). KDE has a more "MS Windows-like" appearance, Gnome is the default desktop environment without the "clutter".
   
   At this dialog box item, you are selecting your default desktop environment: Gnome or KDE. You can install and use other desktop environments at at later date...
   
   
4. Select your Language (the default is English).
   
   
5. Enter your user account name (called "username"). Linux requires a username or at least one account that can act as an administrator. If you wish, you can set the system to automatically login upon bootup. Also, you can add additional user accounts at a later date (i.e. after the Ubuntu installation process).
   
   
6. Enter (and re-enter) your user account password.
   
   
7. Follow the instructions for the remainder of the installation process. It may take some time to perform the installation process (depends on power of your computer), so please be patient. When prompted, remove the installation CD.
   
   

NOTE: Although passwords can be changed at a later date, you cannot perform or log into the Ubuntu system if you forget your username and password.
It is recommended to write this information down and store in a safe place...

Testing Your Ubuntu Linux Installation After Using WUBI

OK, call me "Old Fashioned", but I recommend after the install to verify that you can now boot into BOTH the Ubuntu Linux AND MS Windows systems. After the Ubuntu installation process, from now on when you boot up your computer, you will be presented with a menu with two options: Boot Windows or boot Ubuntu Linux. You should test that these two selections work properly. I must still be paranoid from all the Linux installs that I have done over the years....

... on the other hand, I have yet to encounter an install problem when using WUBI (except for students not having enough hard drive space on their Windows partition)...

Un-installing Ubuntu Linux via WUBI

The WUBI installer program will automatically detect if a version of Ubuntu Linux has already been installed in Windows. Follow the steps below to un-install Ubuntu LInux that was installed in Windows.

Step to Un-install Ubuntu via WUBI:

1. Boot up MS Windows, and log into your account (with admin privileges).
   
   
2. Insert the Ubuntu Installation CD into the drive.
   
   
3. Depending on your version of Windows, you may need to run the wubi.exe program, and provide your admin password.
   
   
4. A Ubuntu Menu dialog box should appear (refer to top diagram on right-side).
   
   
5. To un-install Ubuntu Linux (inside MS Windows), select "UnInstall".
   
   
6. Follow the instructions, and remove the Ubuntu Installation CD.