CNET Editors' review
This app is one of the easiest ways to add Ubuntu to your Windows system. Wubi's dialog interface requires users to select a mere six options to install the Linux OS. Don't expect help with this utility. Users are expected to have a basic understanding of Linux and booting into alternate operating systems.
Selecting the install drive, hard-drive space, language, username, and password is quick with pull-down selectors. The most difficult decision is choosing the environment from Ubuntu, Kbuntu, Xubuntu, and UbuntuStudio. Users are expected to know which they would prefer, as no information is given about the options. While this is truly a one-click install of Linux, it isn't fast. The first step downloads an almost 700MB ISO image used to install Linux. After the download, the app takes a considerable time unpacking and installing the OS. Boot into Ubuntu and there is another wait as the OS completes setting preferences and options. It is all without user intervention, though.
A last reboot and you have a clean, handy Linux OS on your PC. Numerous apps are preinstalled and configured. Seconds after first log-in our testers were browsing the Internet and using a freeware word processor without any extra configuration. This is a great simple install package for anyone interested in trying out Linux.
Publisher's Description
From Wubi:
Wubi is an unofficial Ubuntu installer for Windows users that will bring you into the Linux world with a few clicks. Wubi allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other application.
Wubi is a Windows front-end for lupin. Wubi and lupin provide a user friendly installer which allows users to install/uninstall Ubuntu like any other Windows program, without modifying partitions, without replacing the bootloader, and without having to burn a CD. Ubuntu installation is almost identical to a standard dual-boot installation both in terms of behavior and performance.
What's new in this version: Version 7.04 test 2 includes the latest version of Ubuntu 7.04, "Feisty Fawn."
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 161 votes
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Current version:
3.1 starsout of 74 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"BUG !!!!"
Version: Wubi 7.04 beta
Pros
After d-load of iso image and finishing the install, I reboot PC and after 32% of process, it stops with this message:
It perfectly loads the files, prepared everything and starts GRUB and booting. After some installation steps it shows a red screen with these messages:
!! Load installer components from CD
Installation step failed
An installation step failed. You can try to run the failing item
again from the menu, or skip it and choose something else. The
failing step is: Load installer components from CD
if someone can hel pe, write on: goran.ivanovski.bt@gmail.com
Cons
Problem above...
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"Not Ready For Prime Time"
Version: Wubi 7.04 beta
Pros
This is a great idea and should allow everyone to try Linux with very little changes to their system once it is perfected. Once this works the way it should I will give it more stars
Cons
When you run the program it starts to download the ISO of Ubuntu which can take a very long time. You will be better off downloading the ISO beforehand and just place it in the Wubi directory to save time. I used the default settings to install Ubuntu onto my 2nd hard drive but I could not boot into it even after 3 separate clean installs.
I would also suggest that you go directly to the website to download the latest mature version since the file hosted on this site is stale by a number of weeks at the time of writing this.
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"Once out of four???"
Version: Wubi 7.04 beta
Pros
New and different is always fun but I kinda found it to be a little more of a headache than helpful. There's a LOT of neat things out there in Linux-land but ya got to have a ton of patients and a huge amount of computer smarts to really get into it.
Cons
I tried this in 4 of my PC's and I could only get it to work in one!!!! Oh, and every neat new feature you might have seen out there that makes Linux seem cool and tempting, is an entirely new download and headache to get it to work. I don't meant to make it sound like I'm complaining so much but.... When people write these programs for their community and friends, they don't always think about writing complete instructions for the few that don't catch on to everything did.
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"After long download/install time (>3hrs). I was unable to start ubuntu. ERROR 17"
Version: Wubi 7.04 beta
Pros
Uninstall worked as expected.
Cons
Installation completed after >2 hours.
During the boot process, the system generated a error 17 (file not found).
The system was installed in a NTFS parttion on a USB connected harddisk. ??
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"Used WUBI Test3 version long - download"
Version: Wubi 7.04 beta
Pros
Great package if it can be sped up and offer more install choices.
Installs Ubuntu automatically. I like the ability to have it in a Windows
directory and not have to partition my HD. I am not sure what all it
installed, but I had the impression that it downloaded 15Gig, of data.
It took 2 1/2 hrs. to download and another 30 - 45 minutes to install.
After that I was up and running on a reboot. Firefox ran faster on
Ubuntu than XP, likewise bringup up Open Office. I haven't had the
chance to play too much with it yet. Ny other comments have more to
do with Ubuntu itself, rather than WUBI. The download of WUBI itself
did not take long, using Road Runner (5M), about a minute. I downloaded
it from the CutlerSoftware site. Most other sites only have "test2". Cutler
Software offers more. It is a www dot com site, with cultlersoftware as one
word. I did a Google and it actually came up with their ubuntusetup subdirectory
with the wubi/downloads/experimental subdirectory.
Cons
After it I clicked "install", I never had a choice to do anything else until the install
was complete. I would have liked to specify the Directory name, but "wubi" was
fine. I had a CD which I had received with Ubuntu 7.04 (also had downloaded
the Ubuntu ISO). Wubi never gave me an option to choose any alternative. It
went right to the internet and started downloading 2 1/2 hrs. I would like an
option to either use the CD or the downloaded ISO (took 20 minutes at 5MB -
Road Runner high speed). Other than the long download time - the actual
install time was comparable to an initial install of XP (about 30 - 45 minutes).
So more install flexibility (use of the ISO or Ubuntu CD) and ability to name
the directory (minor issue), WUBI is a great adjunct to Ubuntu. Would also
be nice to see a Kubuntu option.
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"Utter rubbish"
Version: Wubi 7.04 beta
Pros
hate it
Cons
It ruined my windows system and made my pc unbootable. Can't even recover with factory disc. I have to spend money to save my ass and still lose all my data.
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"Nearly there!"
Version: Wubi 7.04 beta
Pros
Installation is smooth and trouble free. Also the un-install is clean and thorough. Shame I had to use this option..
Cons
Pity the installation did'nt work. After re-booting when install done, it would not load Ubunti.. got errors stating wrong sector etc - need to create partion. I thought this version is the ability to run Ubunti without having to create a new partition etc ??
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"Very easy to use"
Version: Wubi 7.04 beta
Pros
I had no problems downloading and installing Ubuntu. I was able to do this for both my Sony Vaio and my Dell Inspiron 6000 laptops and it works great with a wired internet connection.
Cons
I had trouble getting a wireless connection with my Dell (Broadcom BCM 4318). I was able to connect by using the ubuntu forums, but I found out that my BCN4318 is unstable-the wireless connection keeps disconnecting. Also, to get things to work, it takes a little more effort to get the information, but worth it.
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"Looks nice"
Version: Wubi 7.04 beta
Pros
Easy to instal
Cons
Start-up not straightforward - a long list of Linux error messages.
Uninstalled and re-installed but it asked for correct password. I forgot and thought that re-installation would correct that but no.
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"crashed my computer big time"
Version: Wubi 7.04 beta
Pros
nothing
Cons
caused a major crash of win xp and somehow caused my bios to misread the hard-drive on reboot.
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