CNET Editors' review
Ubuntu is an open-source Linux distribution operating system, and if that sounds like geek to you, it shouldn't. If you've only ever used Windows, the idea of trying a new operating system might sound a little scary. But with Wubi you can download and try Ubuntu easily, and with the knowledge that you can go back to Windows whenever you like.
Wubi is simply an installer for Ubuntu, and as such, it's not at all complicated. The program allows users to install--and uninstall--Ubuntu as they would any other Windows application. In essence, you get an operating system within an operating system, and you can switch back and forth with relative ease. Wubi asks users to choose the disk on which they want to install Ubuntu, and from there it's really just a matter of waiting. It took about half an hour for Ubuntu to download, after which we rebooted our computer as instructed. Instead of launching Windows automatically, a screen appeared that asked us to choose Windows or Ubuntu. We chose Ubuntu, and did some more waiting as Ubuntu was installed. It is an entire operating system, after all, so it's bound to take longer than your average Windows application. Once that was done, we set off to explore Ubuntu. And when we were ready, we simply rebooted to switch back to Windows. Overall, Wubi isn't a particularly impressive program, but when it comes to installers, you really want something that draws as little attention to itself as possible. Wubi succeeds on that front, making it relatively quick and easy to download Ubuntu.
Wubi installs and uninstalls without issues. We recommend this program to everyone.
Publisher's Description
From Wubi:
Wubi is 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. Are you curious about Linux and Ubuntu? Trying them out has never been easier!
You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application. Wubi is spyware and malware free, and being open source, anyone can verify that.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 161 votes
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Current version:
4.2 starsout of 4 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-4 of 4
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"be care full dont think cnet checks before posting"
Version: Wubi 11.10
Pros
before down loading check the site where the down load is from by clicking on"see full specifications the click the site link.a lot of times that can save you a head ack by looking even if you have virus protection you can run a scan.I started do just that and i can tell you that I've see a lot of these down load's that lead to wrong site's or broken even ran scan with avg virus and found it wasn't safe.
Cons
before down loading check the site where the down load is from by clicking on"see full specifications the click the site link.a lot of times that can save you a head ack by looking even if you have virus protection you can run a scan.I started do just that and i can tell you that I've see a lot of these down load's that lead to wrong site's or broken even ran scan with avg virus and found it wasn't safe.
Summary
before down loading check the site where the down load is from by clicking on"see full specifications the click the site link.a lot of times that can save you a head ack by looking even if you have virus protection you can run a scan.I started do just that and i can tell you that I've see a lot of these down load's that lead to wrong site's or broken even ran scan with avg virus and found it wasn't safe.
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"EXCELLENT OS"
Version: Wubi 11.10
Pros
Very user friendly and virus free.
Cons
None at the moment
Summary
I am going to put this OS on my new laptop. I also have an Asus eee PC with Ubuntu on it. Works beautifully with my WiFi connection and it's faster than Windows. You can also remove having to log in in Ubuntu. Very secure and doesn't give me the headaches with Windows registry files that I constantly run into! As an IT professional I highly recommend this OS and it's also free. You can also run this OS on a machine with Windows without having to completely remove Windows OS from the computer. You can choose to either boot up through Windows or Ubuntu. You can also take it out for a trial spin before installing it completely on your computer. Works very well with Chrome, Firefox and SeaMonkey browsers.
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"Had trouble making it work, but now does."
Version: Wubi 11.10
Pros
Once it worked, I feel it is the safest way to get to use Ubuntu.
Cons
Have to solve the problem myself.
Summary
I had the same problems that others described,"No root file is defined." I tried lots of different ways to load. The last thing I tried worked. As I made two changes, you pick the reason:
1. I put wubi.exe in c:\install Ubuntu
2. By accident I left the disk name instead of my choice.
There were lots of errors, but I continued on and rebooted, also with errors. The errors must self- correct, as now it works.
Of course, this method downloaded everything else from the Internet, so the problem could have been fixed there.
Windows 7 still works! -
"I take pride in the fact that I am Windows free."
Version: Wubi 11.10
Pros
Fast, stable, virus free, IT JUST WORKS. Never bogs down.
Cons
Sometimes there are driver issues. Just research before I bought my laptop to make sure it worked. Other than that I have no gripes.
Summary
NSA had a hand in building Windows 7. Rumor is there is a NSA back-door in Windows 7. Russia took this very seriously and requested the source code from Microsoft before they used it in their government offices to see if there was such a thing. Don't have that problem with Linux source code is open to all.
PS I never found out if there was a back-door. Nor do I care, it doesn't affect me not one bit.
Results 1-4 of 4
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