Trying Kubuntu/Linux for Windows Users
If you are a Windows user and just want to give Linux a try, Ubuntu is the right choice. Ubuntu is known to be "Linux for human beings" - the word "ubuntu" means "humanity" in the Bemba language. However, what usually keeps Windows users from trying Linux is the need for formatting a special partition and the complex installation steps that may damage Windows files.
A great solution to this is Wubi, a free Windows installer that allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other Windows application without the need for a dedicated partition.
Before we start, I want to mention that there are several operating systems derived from Ubuntu, Ubuntu derivatives. We will go with Kubuntu that uses a more user-friendly desktop environment, KDE, than GNOME that comes with Ubuntu.
So how to start? First, go download the latest version of Wubi, 9.04. Then, download the latest version of Kubuntu, 9.04, and place the .iso file in the same folder as wubi.exe. This way, Wubi will install Kubuntu from this .iso file. Otherwise, Wubi will try to download the latest version for you.
Now, run wubi.exe and:
- Select the installation drive. This should be an NTFS drive with a minimum free space of 5 GB. I recommend 10 GB or more
- Specify installation size. This is the maximum size of the file that will hold your Kubuntu. Note that you won't be able to change this size later unless you decide to migrate the installation to a dedicated partition with a different size. I learned this the hard way
- Select Kununtu as your desktop environment
- Enter a username and a password for your account
- Press "Install"
- After the installation is complete, press "Finish" to reboot the system
You should now see a new screen with an option to boot with Kubuntu. Congratulations!
Once you log in to Kubuntu, you will find two widgets, similar to Windows gadgets, on the desktop: Application Launcher and Home Folder. Using the icon on the top right corner of the desktop, you can add new widgets to the desktop or the bottom panel (similar to Windows task bar). To access the Terminal, use the "Applications" tab on the "Application Launcher".
The next thing you may want to do is to install Microsoft core fonts. Type the following in your terminal:
apt-get install ttf-mscorefonts-installerAnother thing to mention is that you may search for the "Show Desktop" icon on the bottom panel as you would do with Windows task bar. Unfortunately, you won't find it their. To add it, click the icon at the rightmost of the bottom panel, click "Add Widgets...", select the "Show Desktop" widget, press "Add Widget", and press "Close".
But what if you want to use the same shortcut you use to show Windows desktop? Right-click the "Show Desktop" icon on the bottom panel, select "Show Desktop Settings", press the big button to enter a keyboard shortcut, press both "Windows Key" and "D", and press "OK".
Finally, to uninstall Kubuntu at any time, use the Windows control panel as you would do with any Windows application.
Hossam Hammady
May 27th, 2009 - 09:01 PM
What a coincidence, I have just installed Ubuntu through Wubi today before reading this article! By the way, why do you need to download Wubi installer separately? If you just downloaded Ubuntu iso file and burn it on a CD, it will have Wubi installer bundled. Even more, it is set as Autorun for the CD automatically. Nice article, but screenshots please :)
Hatem
May 28th, 2009 - 11:37 AM
Thanks Hossam for your reply.
Yes, Wubi comes with Ubuntu Live CD. But running Wubi separately gives you a chance to download and install any derivative/version of Ubuntu without the need to burn a CD for each. Also, this way, you can install versions older that 8.04, when Wubi was not included in Ubuntu CD.
And here is a screenshot.
Hossam Hammady
May 31st, 2009 - 04:16 PM
Thanks Hatem I like the screenshot :)
Khalid Saqr
June 11th, 2009 - 07:57 PM
I am using Mandriva in my lab, to run a Linux parallel computing grid, and I can say it is as friendly as Ubuntu, or even more with its "naughty" graphics... :)) I think the major advantage of Ubuntu is its recent Notebook remix, it is compatible with numerous notebook brands, while the case is not the same with Mandriva, I couldn't get it installed properly on my Fujitsu lifebook...another advantge might be the Ubuntu's server kernel, which can address unlimited capacity of RAM on 64 bit processors. This is limited to 64 GB in Mandriva server kernel.