Ubuntu is the most popular distribution of Linux for the desktop.   It is free, full-featured, has tremendous support and is easy to use.   And now Windows users can run it!

Wubi enables Windows users to install Ubuntu just like any other application, so you no longer have to mess around with partitions, burning CDs, etc.

Just remember that Wubi is just an installer, it is not the full install set and it still has to download Ubuntu which is roughly 700 MB in size, from the web.   Wubi is currently in version 8.0.4.1 and can be downloaded here .

The system requirements are 256 MB RAM and an 1 GHz or faster Intel/AMD processor is recommended for optimal performance, though Xubuntu might work on less. As for disk space, the installation requires a minimum of 4GB. This space is mostly used by the virtual hard disk file.

Wubi will run on on all Windows versions from Windows 98 to Windows Vista, more platforms to come soon. 64-bit builds are possible but not yet available. Linux/*nix/*BSD are supported through Lubi , and Mac OSX will eventually be supported through Mubi.

Wubi adds an entry to the Windows boot menu which allows you to run Linux. Ubuntu is installed within a file in the windows file system (c:wubidiskssystem.virtual.disk), this file is seen by Linux as a real hard disk.

All you have to do is reboot and choose "Ubuntu" to run Ubuntu and choose "Windows" to run Windows.

If you get bored of Wubi you can uninstall it as any other applications. In windows go to the control panel and select "Add or Remove Programs", then select Wubi and uninstall it. You can also use the uninstaller that you find in C:wubiuninstaller.exe.

Wubi Away!

Tags | Apple, General, Linux, Microsoft, Ubuntu, Windows Vista, Windows XP