InstallerForWindows
Launchpad Entry: installer-for-windows
Created: 2007-04-26
Contributors: HenrikOmma
Packages affected:
Note: spec revamped for Feisty. Related specs exist in the wiki and LP for specific technical solutions. Please keep this spec neutral until a technical approach has been selected.
Summary
A simple install procedure for Ubuntu initiated in Windows.
Rationale
Windows users are often more comfortable with downloading a small ubuntu.setup.exe file than downloading and burning an ISO. Some laptops do not have a CD drive and many systems are configured to boot from the HD first.
Use Cases
Scope
Select the most suitable technical solution.
Design
TODO: Select from one of several possible technical solutions.
Windows installers for Ubuntu
Several Windows-based installers for Linux (including Ubuntu) have appeared recently, each using different methods. The common goal of these is to provide a simple path to Ubuntu that starts with downloading a small executable installer, and removes the need to use a CD. The three main approaches are:
Repartition and install
- downloads packages or ISO
- an entry in the Windows bootloader is created
- reboot to start an installer (text-based, graphical or Live CD based) asking the usual questions
- The disk is resized or free space is used (ie. normal install)
- GRUB is installed
- Boot again to start Ubuntu
- Next time you start Windows the entry from the Windows bootloader
Implementation: [http://goodbye-microsoft.com/ win32-loader], [http://instlux.sourceforge.net/ instlux], [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=427793 Wubi-netboot]
Install on a loop mounted disk image
- downloads packages or ISO
- Gathers information from Windows and simply asks for a user name and password
- Adds Ubuntu entry to the Windows bootloader
- Reboots to start an install process (non-interactive)
- Reboot again to start Ubuntu (or Windows)
- Painless removal of Ubuntu of desired
Implementations: [http://www.cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup/wubi/en-US/index.html Wubi]
Install a virtual machine
- Installer contains a copy of Virtualbox and downloads a pre-made virtual machine of Ubuntu
- Simple NSIS install and launch VM directly without reboot
- Simple unistall
- Has to share resources so performance will be reduced and hardware support may be limited
Implementations: [http://www.virtualbox.org/ Virtualbox], [http://www.h7.dion.ne.jp/~qemu-win/ QUEMU]
An overview of existing implementations follows.
win32-loader
Summary: Download a small executable which downloads the netboot files, modifies the NT bootloader and reboots.
Links: http://goodbye-microsoft.com/
Advantages
- Fast download in first installer stage (netboot stuff only)
- A real ubuntu install on a real partition
Disadvantages
- Mistakenly grabbed the 64-bit version on a 32-bit virtual system and failed to boot (admittedly an odd test case)
- Leaves the bootloader behind
- No accessibility support in alternate installer
- Does not work with Vista
instlux
Summary: same principle as win32-loader, but a slightly cleaner implementation usability-wise.
Advantages
- Fast download in first installer stage (netboot versions)
- A real ubuntu install on a real partition
- Cleans up the NT bootloader after install
Disadvantages
- Text-based install (could use graphical d-i)
- No accessibility support in alternate installer
- Does not work with Vista
- Does not work on Win9x
- Only currently supports Ubuntu 6.06 and older
Wubi-netboot
Summary: A stripped-down version of Wubi which allows for installation to a real partition without a CD using the netboot installer, but lacks the ability to autodetect Windows settings or install on a loopmounted partition. Wubi-netboot is a temporary fork of Wubi which will be discontinued once Wubi implements support for installation on a real partition.
Advantages
- No download needed in first installer stage (initrd and kernel come bundled in 8.5 MB package)
- A real ubuntu install on a real partition
- Cleans up the NT or Win9x bootloader after install
Disadvantages
- Text-based install (could use graphical d-i)
- No accessibility support in netboot installer
- Does not work with Vista
Wubi
Summary: An Ubuntu community project the Windows Ubuntu Installer uses method 2, a look mounted disk. Download a simple .exe file which launches an NSIS installer. It asks for your user name and password and reboots to install. Ubuntu is actually installed on a loop-mounted drive stared as an image file within the Windows file system. Previously known as 'install.exe' in the wiki. Current development is taking place within the [http://launchpad.net/lupin lupin] (back-end) and [http://launchpad.net/wubi wubi] (front-end) projects hosted on Launchpad. There is a proposal to merge most lupin features within Ubuntu https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/lupin.
Links: [http://www.cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup website], [http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=234 forum], [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/install.exe wiki], [http://launchpad.net/lupin lupin], [http://launchpad.net/wubi wubi]
http://www.cutlersoftware.com/ubuntusetup/wubi/en-US/screenshots/wubi3.jpg
Advantages
- No disk resizing or partitioning required
- Easy to remove Ubuntu from the system
- Runs at native speeds using all system resources (provided the loop mounting is efficient)
- Asks very few questions during the install as it gathers info from Windows.
Disadvantages
- Does not yet work with Vista
- Uses alternate disc to install from
- Fixed size disc image (would be nice to have a dynamic image or manual resize option)
Work oustanding
- Needs a dash of usplash in a few places
- Needs a graphical installer front-end to d-i
- Better post-install management features. A control panel running in windows that lets you resize discs, make backups, select between different installed systems
Outsanding questions
- How efficient is the loop mounted drive?
- How easy would it be to move such an install out from under windows to a separate partition (perhaps an improved version of the migration tool could be used?)
VirtualBox
Summary: The GPL version of Virtualbox can be packaged and distributed on the net and on 3rd party CDs.
Link: http://www.virtualbox.org/
Advantages
- Simple install with no need to reboot
- Simple unistall
- Dynamic disk images that lets users install and explore more software
- Runs in parallel with the Windows session, allowing you to switch back and forth
- Several distro flavours can be installed simultaneously
- Runs under Vista
Disadvantages
- Poor peformance
- Driver problems, no support for Beryl/Compiz
- GPL version lacks some features like USB support
Implementation
Depends on the design choice.
Outstanding Issues
Pick a design.
BoF agenda and discussion
Discuss at UDS Seville.