Ubuntu Installation

Installation of Ubuntu is generally performed with the Live CD. By booting it, a user can first choose to “test-drive” the Ubuntu OS (albeit with a performance loss due to loading applications from a CD), providing the opportunity to test hardware compatibility and driver support. The CD also contains the Ubiquity installer,[30] which guides the user through the permanent installation process. CD images of all current and past versions are available for download at the Ubuntu web site. Installing from the CD requires a minimum of 256 MB RAM. Users can download a disk image of the CD which can then be written to a physical medium, or run from a hard drive via UNetbootin.
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Canonical offers Ubuntu and Kubuntu installation CDs at no cost, including paid postage for destinations in most countries around the world, via a service called ShipIt. After a request for CDs is made and approved, disks are sent via post. Delivery is estimated at six to ten weeks.

A Microsoft Windows migration tool, called Migration Assistant, was introduced in April 2007 (with Ubuntu 7.04).[33] It imports Windows users’ bookmarks, desktop background (wallpaper), and various settings for immediate use in the Ubuntu installation.[34]

Ubuntu and Kubuntu can be booted and run from a USB Flash drive (as long as the BIOS supports booting from USB), with the option of saving settings to the flashdrive. This allows a portable installation that can be run on any PC which is capable of booting from a USB drive.[35] In newer versions of Ubuntu, the USB creator program is available to install Ubuntu on a USB drive (with or without a LiveCD disc).

Wubi, which is included on the Live CD, allows the distribution to be installed on a virtual Windows loop device. This requires no partitioning of a user’s hard drive, allowing the installation of Ubuntu to a file on a Windows drive. This also allows the user to manage Ubuntu as a Windows program, configuring and uninstalling Wubi as another program via the Control Panel (Windows). Wubi also makes use of the Migration Assistant to import users’ settings. Initially developed as an independent project for versions 7.04 and 7.10, Wubi was later merged with Ubuntu and is included on Ubuntu Live CD as of the 8.04 release.