Wubi – Ubuntu and Windows In Dual-Boot

Linux Series (3)

We know that it’s hard to leave the omnipresent Windows for a Linux perspective, which is (more or less) perceived as uncertain … Especially when you don’t know exactly what is all about.

In our Ulteo Online Desktop article we’ve told about the possibility to “play with” your own KDE (Linux) Distribution, without the need to install anything on your PC.

For those willing to continue tasting this computer freedom fruit WITHOUT getting rid of Windows, there are 2 other known solutions:

• booting your PC directly on a Linux Live CD (all distributions have such tools)
• the configuration of your PC for a “dual boot”: a coexistence of Windows and a Linux distribution of your choice. This requires the adding of a new partition.

But average user might be scared about installing the new Operating System, particularly when it’s about adding swap space or partitioning part.

Two smart guys - Agostino Russo and Evan Dandrea – came up with the brilliant Wubi project, an “ officially supported Ubuntu installer for Windows users that can bring you to the Linux world with a single click. Wubi allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other Windows application, in a simple and safe way. “

( from Wubi Installer.org )

The founder of Ubuntu Foundation - Mark Shuttleworth himself - has a very good opinion :

“If I was a Windows user who was intrigued but nervous about Linux, this ( Wubi ) would be a really great way to get a taste of it, at low risk. Being able to install and uninstall a Linux OS as if it were a Windows app is a brilliant innovation.”

Installation requirements : Memory 256 MB memory , Harddisk Space 5 GB harddisk space , Operating System Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista .

First you have to download the very light Wubi installer (a 960 ko “.exe” file). When running this file a first window will open where you have to check “Install inside Windows”.

That will open the window from below, asking you for the basic setups. Note that you can choose between the default Ubuntu distribution or its versions like: Kubuntu, Kubuntu – KDE 4, Xubuntu.

“Mostly the graphical user interface is different, and the bundled applications may change so that they better integrate with the installed interface “ ( from Wubi FAQ Page )

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You need to have enough free space ( 8 – 10 Go ) on the chosen hard drive partition; and don’t forget to safely note the username and the password .

Once you hit “Install” the Ubuntu Distribution – a 700 Megs file - will start downloading .

In the end you’ll be asked to reboot your PC and … Surprise! You discover that you have a “dual boot”- Windows or Ubuntu - on the first screen after reeboting.

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By choosing to boot on Ubuntu the folder where you installed Wubi will be mounted as a partition.

“Ubuntu is installed within a file in the Windows file system (c:\ubuntu\disks\root.disk), this file is seen by Linux as a real hard disk.

… This is a real installation (and not a virtual partition), the only difference is that Ubuntu is installed within a file as opposed to being installed within its own partition.” ( from Wubi FAQ page )

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A very important feature is that at any moment you can mount your original Windows partition in order to access all your files.

From Wubi FAQ page: “The performance is identical to a standard installation, except for hard-disk access which is slightly slower than an installation to a dedicated partition. If your hard disk is very fragmented the performance will degenerate.

… Hibernation is not supported under Wubi; moreover Wubi filesystem is more vulnerable to hard-reboots (turning off the power) and power outages than a normal filesystem, so try to avoid unplugging the power. An Ubuntu installation to a dedicated partition provides a filesystem that is more robust and can better tolerate such events.

… Ubuntu comes fully loaded with most commonly used applications, including a full office suite compatible with MS Office, image editing software, picture management software, media player, games, browser, email client, IM and video conferencing software… On top of all of this, you can easily install additional software, from a list of over 20,000 applications.”

Other important guidance are to be found in Wubi Guide Page

With Wubi there are no more excuses for hesitating in trying Linux !

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