FW: Installing Inside Windows

[alan c]

Andrew Jarrett wrote:
> On Sun, May 11, 2008 at 6:12 PM, Alex Osgood <tynamic77 at comcast.net> wrote:
>> Hello I just have a simple question to ask… if im going to install kubuntu
>> inside windows is it safe? Like will I loose all of my data or anything like
>> that?  Or will it just be like a installed program that doesn't affect
>> anything around it.
>>
>>
>>
>> Alex
> 
> If you are talking about using the "Wubi" installation program, then
> it will just take some free space on your hard drive and create a
> virtual partition (and won't affect your data whatsoever).  Its pretty
> much no risk -- just about as much risk as using a live CD (and I
> don't know how that could ever mess up anyone's system).  If you want
> to uninstall it, you just remove it through the Add/Remove Programs in
> the Windows Control Panel.

(I have used ubuntu, I have not yet tried the kubuntu CD)

As far as Windows is concerned it creates a normal install into a new 
folder called Ubuntu.

The folder is big enough for Ubuntu - (minimum 4GB I think) and the 
user decides how big, initially. You may know that a virtual 
'partition' is being used but from the Windows point of view there is 
no partitioning and no change to the partition tables with the risk 
that that would offer.

Wubi also uses the Windows boot manager. This means that when un 
installed, there is just normal Windows life, there is no complication 
with having to repair the MBR.

So the Wubi install is data safe for Windows stuff, as safe as your 
Windows stuff is, anyway.

The un install is done through the normal Windows Add or Remove 
Programs, and is fast and clean. You are asked if the iso file should 
be backed up, the default is 'yes'

My first reading of the OP was to think of the data safety of the 
ubuntu data following the Wubi install (!) If Windows is subsequently 
used then of course the Ubuntu folder is as vulnerable to malware as 
much as any other Windows item. My preference would be to regard the 
Wubi install as something more short term than the traditional 
installation.

When running Ubuntu the Windows files can be seen under the /host or 
/media directories.

I have been very impressed with Wubi and it is incredibly useful for 
people getting started, and demonstrations.
-- 
alan cocks
Kubuntu user#10391