A Complete Guide about Wubi

Wubi is an Ubuntu installer for Windows that lets you install and uninstall Ubuntu from a Windows desktop. 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 (a loopmounted partition), this file is seen by Ubuntu as a real hard disk. That way the hard drive does not have to be repartitioned before the Ubuntu installation. The resulting Ubuntu installation is a "real" Linux system, not just a virtual machine. Wubi makes it easy for Linux newbies to play around with Ubuntu.

Things to check before installation

Certain requirements you need to meet before installation

• In order to start with the installation you need to have the Wubi that accompanies the newly released Ubuntu. In case, you don't have that just download the executable file for free.

• If you have a high speed Internet connection you don't need to burn a disc for installation. Use the ISO file instead.

• Ensure that you download the right version of Wubi for Ubuntu installation

• If you are using a disc, make sure it's a standard desktop version of Ubuntu.

• You need to have - 256 MB memmory, 5 GB harddisk space and Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista.

Installing Ubuntu in Windows

Follow the steps below for installation

Step 1

Download the disc image in the form of an ISO file and copy it into the folder with Wubi executable.

Step 2

Double click the Wubi executable. The installer will opens the following windows

Clicking on Install inside Windows launches the Wubi installer.

Step 3

Choose an installation drive with enough free space, how much space you want to devote to the Ubuntu install, the language and finally a user name and password for the account and then all that’s left to do is click Install and you’re done.

Step 4

Now click on Install and Restart the computer

 

After restarting the system the following screen will be displayed

Now your new Ubuntu desktop system should boot:

Type in your username and password (the ones you specified in Wubi before):

This is how your Ubuntu desktop looks. You can now use it like any other Linux desktop:

Uninstalling Ubuntu from Windows

Step 1

After booting into Window, click on the Start button

Step 2

Enter the Control Panel and select the Add/Remove Programs option.

Step 3

Click on the Ubuntu and then click on the Change/Remove

Step 4

Click on the Uninstall

Once you are over with it Ubuntu will be removed from your computer.

Accessing Ubuntu Partitions from Windows

Suppose you have started with Ubuntu and you require the files that you were working on in Windows.In order to access the files from Windows you would require an application called Explore2fs. Here's what you need to do

Step 1

Download the Explore2fs

Step 2

Run the application and click on File. Go to the Open Image file.

Step 3

Browse to the \Ubuntu\ disks and get the location where you had installed the Ubuntu.

Step 4

Choose to display all kinds of files and select the partition you want to load. You will be able to access the files in it.