Installing Ubuntu with Wubi

I installed the Ubuntu Hardy Heron release onto my desktop via wubi. This isn’t a how-to on how I did that. You don’t need a how-to, the installation was that easy. You burn the cd, put it in the tray and follow the installation procedures that follow. It’s like installing any other program in Windows. Once you’re done, you reboot and choose which installation you want to run, Windows Vista or Ubuntu in my case. The install doesn’t touch your Windows files, doesn’t change your boot record, and if you want to get rid of your Ubuntu install when you’re done trying it out, you just remove it from Add/Remove Programs in Windows’ Control Panel like you do with any other program. I’m quite pleased by all of this.

As for Hardy Heron, there isn’t much new to talk about. It’s very similar to Gutsy Gibbon that came out 6 months ago, with the addition of some new program defaults (Transmission for Bit Torrent, among others) and some under the hood changes that a casual desktop user won’t notice too much. Ubuntu is definitely making it easier and easier to transition from Windows to Linux with each release. If you were ever afraid to take the plunge, now is your best time. You have nothing to lose by installing it via wubi and trying it out.

6 replies
  1. Lloyd Budd
    Lloyd Budd says:

    wubi looks awesome. I’ve been meaning to find time to give it a try. It is exactly what the doctor ordered for getting people to feel safe trying to break that bad Windows habit.

    I updated my desktop computer to Heron a few weeks ago, and more of the desktop effects are enabled, though I really enjoy some, but find others a worse experience. Anyway, Ubuntu gets better and better!

  2. shep
    shep says:

    yeah, some get on my nerves too. I hate wobbly windows and will have to turn that off, but i love desktop cube and minimize and maximize

  3. Lloyd Budd
    Lloyd Budd says:

    The ones that I’ve noticed, that I like, are launch showing the icon getting bigger, and as you mentioned min/max.

    The new alt-tab behavior is useless for me, and bonus bad because alt+shift+tab doesn’t reverse directions.

  4. niki_nix
    niki_nix says:

    I’m pretty sure if you just mount the Ubuntu ISO or open it with Winrar you’ll find a WUBI.exe inside, just double click it to start the installation. No CD burning needed.

  5. Kathy
    Kathy says:

    I hope to make the Windows to Linux transition in the near future. I use my PC laptop too much to chuck it, but I’m tired of Windows and its problems. Right now the only thing stopping me is being unable to do a few things (mainly iTunes and Photoshop) in Linux.

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