Video: Install Ubuntu Within Windows With Wubi

Hi! Here comes the unveiling of the surprise video that I have not yet told you the name of. (Cue dramatic music to build tension)... Install Ubuntu With Wubi!

Since I started this blog, I've been hoping to do some videos in Ubuntu, and this is the first. Apologies in advance for the awful sound quality, I had to record it post-filming. Not only that, but the video quality for the filming of the Ubuntu parts is not the best either. Despite that, you can get the information that you do need from the video and I'm always getting emails when you post comments (on the video and the blog), so I will be there to answer them!

Anyhoo, after this breif explanation, here's the video you've all been waiting for. Enjoy! :



To get Ubuntu installed via Wubi, you'll need to download a few things. First of all, you'll need the Wubi executable. It works with all versions of Windows from Windows 98 and upwards (excluding Windows ME). Go and grab it by going here.

While that's downloading, you can go and grab the Ubuntu ISO, or disk image, from The Ubuntu Website. Just click download and then choose the Ubuntu version and desktop environment that you want. The default version, Ubuntu, uses the GNOME desktop environment, whereas Kubuntu uses the KDE desktop environment. Xubuntu is ideal for old computers with less RAM and a smaller Hard Drive. Go to the official Xubuntu website for the complete system requirements. Xubuntu uses a toned down version of the GNOME desktop environment. Most of these ISOs - apart from Xubuntu- are around 700MB, with the Xubuntu one being a bit less.

Once both files have downloaded, put them in the same folder and launch the executable (Wubi). Choose your desktop environment (see previous paragraph), language, installation size (needs about 10GB to be comfortable, the minimum allowed is the minimum in the list) and a user name and password that you'll use to log in. Once all this is done, hit install. You'll be about 15 minutes as long as you have the ISO previously downloaded, otherwise, Wubi will download it for you, but not save it anywhere (I think, correct me if I'm wrong).

Once the install is complete, you'll be asked to reboot - you don't have to, but it is recommended that you do. Once you have decided to finally reboot, you get the choice of OS: Ubuntu and Windows. Windows will be selected as it is the default OS. Use the arrow keys to select Ubuntu and hit enter to boot to it. There'll be a video coming up showing how to edit the default OS and other options.

Ubuntu will act as if it's booting from the CD, so speed will be cut at this point. However, this does not reflect the speed for the actual OS once installation has completed. Anyway, the installation will continue as normal and you shouldn't be prompted to do anything. This part will last around half an hour - give or take a few minuets - so you can go and do other things while you wait. Once the whole thing is done (you don't need to watch every bit of the installation) it will reboot. Again, you'll need to select with the arrow keys to boot into Ubuntu. This time, it will be full speed as if you'd partitioned. Now, you'll be prompted for the User Name and password that you specified in Wubi.

After entering the User credentials, you are presented (in seconds, literally) with the Ubuntu desktop. It's really quite incredible seeing it for the first time, all clean and ready to be used. In the not too distant future I should be making more videos about Ubuntu and how to customize it.

In other news: As I mentioned in my previous post, the Tip of the month for August will be up in a few days prior to August as I'm going to Devon and may not have an Internet connection to be able to put the Tip up while I'm there.

In further news: Got plans for some smaller videos set up, though they are on Windows. However, one does work in any OS. Not saying anything as yet, though one was hinted about in the above article.

For now,
Yours,
Ratscallion