The Windows-based Ubuntu Installer (Wubi) allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu from within Microsoft Windows. It lets a Microsoft Windows user try Ubuntu without risking any data loss due to disk formatting or partitioning.

Wubi requires Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, or Windows 7.

NOTE: Hibernation is not supported when installing Ubuntu via Wubi.

To Install Ubuntu:

1. Within Microsoft Windows, insert the Ubuntu installation disc into your CD drive. The Ubuntu CD Menu appears.
   

2. Select Install inside Windows. The Ubuntu Setup window appears. 

3. In the Installation Drive list, select the drive that you want to install Ubuntu.
4. In the Installation Size list, select the amount of space that you want to allocate to Ubuntu.

5. In the Desktop Environment list, select Ubuntu.

6. In the Language list, select your preferred language.
7. In the Username box, enter a username for your Ubuntu account.
8. In the Password box, enter a password for your Ubuntu account. Repeat this password on the second line.

9. Select Install. The Ubuntu Setup progress window appears. When Ubuntu has finished installing, the Completing the Ubuntu Setup Wizard window appears.

   
   

10. Select Reboot now and click Finish. Your computer restarts and the Windows Boot Manager appears. 

11. Using your keyboard’s up and down arrow keys, select Ubuntu and press Enter. Ubuntu loads and the Checking the installation wizard appears. Ubuntu is now installed.

NOTE: Since Wubi installs Ubuntu on the same file partition as Windows, there may be a slight degradation in Ubuntu’s performance over time due to file fragmentation.

Windows-based Uninstallation

When installed from Microsoft Windows, Ubuntu can be uninstalled using Microsoft Window’s standard Add or Remove Programs/Uninstall a program option.

To uninstall Ubuntu in Windows XP:

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel. The Control Panel appears.

1. Select Add or Remove Programs. Add or Remove Programs appears.

2. Select Ubuntu and click Remove. The Wubi Uninstall window appears.

3. Click Uninstall. Ubuntu uninstalls. The Completing the Wubi Uninstall Wizard appears.

4. Click Finish. Ubuntu is uninstalled.

To uninstall Ubuntu in Windows Vista or Windows 7:

Removing Ubuntu in Windows Vista or Windows 7 follows the standard Uninstall a program option in Microsoft Windows.

1. From the Start menu, select Control Panel. The Control Panel appears.

1. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. The Uninstall or change a program window appears.

1. Select Ubuntu and then click Uninstall/Change. The Wubi Uninstall window appears.

1. Click Uninstall. The progress wizard appears. The Completing the Wubi Uninstall Wizard appears.

1. Click Finish. Ubuntu is uninstalled.

Selecting an operating system to boot

If you installed Ubuntu via the Wubi installer, the Windows Boot Manager loads. You can choose which operating system to run.

To choose an operating system to boot:

1. Turn on or restart your system. The Windows Boot Manager appears.
   
2. Using your keyboard’s up and down arrow keys, select the operating system that you want to load. Press Enter. The desired operating system loads.

NOTE: The default operating system is Microsoft Windows. If you do not choose an operating system, Microsoft Windows will automatically load.