Whether you want to be able to easily switch between Windows and Ubuntu Linux on one computer or you just want to try out Ubuntu, there is a free tool called Wubi that allows you to install Ubuntu Linux on a Windows machine as if it’s a normal Windows application.
Your Windows installation does not change. Wubi creates a boot menu that you see when you boot your computer. You can choose to boot into Windows or into Ubuntu without modifying the partitions on your computer or adding any special drivers. It works just like any other Windows application. Wubi places most of the files it needs to run in one folder. Therefore, if you decide you don’t want it on your computer anymore, you can uninstall it just like any other Windows program.
Download Wubi from http://wubi-installer.org/. The Wubi website says it works in Windows 98, 2000, XP, and Vista. We tested it in Windows 7 and it worked.
To start installing Ubuntu in Windows, double-click the file you downloaded (wubi.exe). The Ubuntu Installer displays.
NOTE: Wubi can be installed without an internet connection. Download the Ubuntu Desktop Edition ISO file and burn it to CD. Wubi.exe is available in the root folder of the CD. Run Wubi.exe from the CD and follow the steps below as if you are running the Wubi installer from your hard drive. Wubi will use the Ubuntu CD to install the system if there is no internet connection.
Select the desired options, enter your username, and type a password in twice.
NOTE: You can choose from different forms of Ubuntu in the Desktop environment drop-down list. Each option uses a different desktop environment: Ubuntu uses Gnome, Kubuntu uses KDE, and Xubuntu and Mythbuntu uses XFCE. Mythbuntu is a media center operating system that is based on Ubuntu and integrates the MythTV Media center software as its main function.
Once you have selected your settings and entered your username and password, click Install.
The Ubuntu Installer starts downloading information on the installation files.
Once the installer has the information it needs, the Ubuntu ISO file is downloaded.
Once the ISO file is downloaded, you need to reboot your computer to continue with the installation. Select an option indicating when you want to reboot and click Finish.
When the computer reboots, the Windows Boot Manager displays. Select Ubuntu from the list and press Enter.
The Ubuntu logo screen displays.
An initial Installing system screen displays.
Once the initial settings are set, the Welcome screen displays as the installation continues.
The installer informs you of the progress of the installation and tells you when it will finish soon.
Once the installation is finished, the computer is rebooted and the Windows Boot Manager displays again. Select Ubuntu from the list and press Enter.
The GNU GRUB menu displays. Select the first option and press Enter or wait for the first option to be automatically executed in nine seconds.
The Ubuntu logo screen displays again.
When the login screen displays, press Enter when your username is selected, enter your password, and click Log In.
The Ubuntu desktop displays. If you want to go back to Windows, use the power button menu in the upper, right corner of the desktop on the top panel to reboot Ubuntu. The Windows Boot Manager displays again allowing you to select Windows.
If you decide you do not want Ubuntu on your computer anymore, you can uninstall it from within Windows just like any other Windows program.
NOTE: We installed Wubi in Windows 7, so these steps for uninstalling a program are for Windows 7. If you are using XP or Vista, use the appropriate method for uninstalling software in that operating system.
Once you are back in Windows, select Control Panel from the Start menu.
Click the Uninstall a program link under Programs.
You will see Ubuntu in the list of installed programs. When you select it, you can click the Uninstall/Change button to uninstall it.
Wubi provides an easy way of using Ubuntu Linux without giving up your Windows system.
by Lori Kaufman
I've had problems trying to install ubuntu in the past, both with wubi and a fresh partition installation, on my sony vaio cw series laptop. Are there any workarounds that you know of for the vaio? I'm thinking about wiping the entire hard drive and doing a fresh Win7 install I'm getting so tired of how much bloatware and weird permissions settings my vaio has.
Actually, you don't need to burn the ISO to CD. You just need it to put it in the same folder as WUBI and it will automatically detect the ISO.
Hello,
Does this method make ubuntu run slower than a regular install?
Thank you!
Hey Curious user,
If you are asking if dual booting Windows/Ubuntu is slower than running Ubuntu only, the best answer I can give you is "not really".
The reason I say that is the time it takes to boot up Ubuntu on your PC and run on your PC is not going to be impacted by having Windows on the PC. Ubuntu and Windows run completely independent of each other. However many boot managers have a default time setting of say 10 seconds. So if you power up your PC and don't make a selection when the boot manager comes up, there will be a delay of 10s (or whatever the delay is set for on your PC) before Ubuntu or Windows (whatever your default OS is) starts to run and then comes up.
Hope that answers your question. If not, let us know.
I realized I didn't specify what my particular issue was with the Vaio installation. The problem I have is that there is a blank screen when trying to install. I do not think the video drivers are enabled automatically for vaio's, since sony releases particular drivers and limits the video drivers you can install. Thus, I can get as far as initiating the ISO or the CD (i've tried both) and then when it tries to boot the desktop screen, it blanks out every time. Any tips would be appreciated.
Hey mrnelson1986.
Most likely the problem you are having is the Ubuntu driver you are trying to load is not compatible with the video hardware in your Vaio thus the black screen.
If you go to Google and type in ubuntu Vaio display drivers, you will get lots of websites that discuss this situation. I am not a Ubuntu expert but I have run it and I have also run into the blank display problem. Once you get the correct drivers loaded, it should come up for you. You may find other issues as well. I like the Vaio but Sony sometimes leans toward proprietary components a little more than I'd like. If you are a longtime Windows user, using Ubuntu can get frustrating quickly simply because it does not operate like Windows does. It has come a long way in the past 5 yrs but personally, I am waiting on plug and play to come along. Spoiled I know but I remember the good ole DOS days where you had to find and install drivers yourself. I didn't think it so bad then but now when you can purchase a piece of hardware and it practically installs itself is certainly different than the early PC days. Patience is crucial! Have fun.
You can certainly reinstall Windows 7 if you like but I think it will have little effect on your current situation.
Thanks! As a freelance writer who does a lot of work in the technology arena, it would be great to have a way to run Ubuntu to do testing and capture screenshots without having to use another partition or another computer.
Great find.
Brian
Freelance Writer Arctic Llama, LLC
Hi,
Recently I have installed Ubuntu 10.04 via Wubi and no problem running ubuntu. But then I decided to uninstall it since I want to try Kubuntu 10.04. I also used wubi for kubuntu..but the problem is once installation completed.. on GNU grub screen, it only displays Windows 7 loader and no Kubuntu loader… The only way I can run Kubuntu is to install ubuntu..from there I convert ubuntu to kubuntu… any ideas how to solve this problem ?
Thanks
Wubi has not worked for quite a while. A previous version a few years back loaded OK, but the installation was unstable and would stop booting after a while or whenever the windows files were rearranged with defrag. The latest wubi is written in a different language by someone who thought that starting over to use a cool language is more important than having something that works. Ubuntu has been touted as something for newbies but that is not the case with wubi. If you are an expert and like fighting with defective software, then wubi is exactly what you seek.
Does this run on a 64-bit Windows 7? I tried installing Wubi and after I installed it and restarted my computer I came across with Windows Boot Manager. When I tried to choose Ubuntu using arrow keys my conputer reboots and returns to the Windows Boot Manager.