Can I install ubuntu without disturbing any files, without dual boot?












0















I have been googling for a while, and what I read says ubuntu deletes the files on the partition I install it.
I want to install it on the c drive, but i don't want to lose its current contents. Is there any way for me to install ubuntu without disturbing any other files (Or any files other than the windows files)?










share|improve this question
















bumped to the homepage by Community 5 hours ago


This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.











  • 2





    Windows will use NTFS and by default, Ubuntu will want to create its own partitioning scheme... in order to do what you are suggesting, your only option may be Wubi ubuntu.com/download/desktop/windows-installer which will leave everything intact, but will limit you to 12.04 as I'm pretty sure it's no longer being developed. Another option, is to run Ubuntu in a VirtualBox virtual machine...

    – Kendor
    Sep 9 '13 at 15:47
















0















I have been googling for a while, and what I read says ubuntu deletes the files on the partition I install it.
I want to install it on the c drive, but i don't want to lose its current contents. Is there any way for me to install ubuntu without disturbing any other files (Or any files other than the windows files)?










share|improve this question
















bumped to the homepage by Community 5 hours ago


This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.











  • 2





    Windows will use NTFS and by default, Ubuntu will want to create its own partitioning scheme... in order to do what you are suggesting, your only option may be Wubi ubuntu.com/download/desktop/windows-installer which will leave everything intact, but will limit you to 12.04 as I'm pretty sure it's no longer being developed. Another option, is to run Ubuntu in a VirtualBox virtual machine...

    – Kendor
    Sep 9 '13 at 15:47














0












0








0








I have been googling for a while, and what I read says ubuntu deletes the files on the partition I install it.
I want to install it on the c drive, but i don't want to lose its current contents. Is there any way for me to install ubuntu without disturbing any other files (Or any files other than the windows files)?










share|improve this question
















I have been googling for a while, and what I read says ubuntu deletes the files on the partition I install it.
I want to install it on the c drive, but i don't want to lose its current contents. Is there any way for me to install ubuntu without disturbing any other files (Or any files other than the windows files)?







12.04 dual-boot windows






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Apr 17 '16 at 16:06









Hizqeel

1,75551321




1,75551321










asked Sep 9 '13 at 15:41









UbuntuManUbuntuMan

111




111





bumped to the homepage by Community 5 hours ago


This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.







bumped to the homepage by Community 5 hours ago


This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.










  • 2





    Windows will use NTFS and by default, Ubuntu will want to create its own partitioning scheme... in order to do what you are suggesting, your only option may be Wubi ubuntu.com/download/desktop/windows-installer which will leave everything intact, but will limit you to 12.04 as I'm pretty sure it's no longer being developed. Another option, is to run Ubuntu in a VirtualBox virtual machine...

    – Kendor
    Sep 9 '13 at 15:47














  • 2





    Windows will use NTFS and by default, Ubuntu will want to create its own partitioning scheme... in order to do what you are suggesting, your only option may be Wubi ubuntu.com/download/desktop/windows-installer which will leave everything intact, but will limit you to 12.04 as I'm pretty sure it's no longer being developed. Another option, is to run Ubuntu in a VirtualBox virtual machine...

    – Kendor
    Sep 9 '13 at 15:47








2




2





Windows will use NTFS and by default, Ubuntu will want to create its own partitioning scheme... in order to do what you are suggesting, your only option may be Wubi ubuntu.com/download/desktop/windows-installer which will leave everything intact, but will limit you to 12.04 as I'm pretty sure it's no longer being developed. Another option, is to run Ubuntu in a VirtualBox virtual machine...

– Kendor
Sep 9 '13 at 15:47





Windows will use NTFS and by default, Ubuntu will want to create its own partitioning scheme... in order to do what you are suggesting, your only option may be Wubi ubuntu.com/download/desktop/windows-installer which will leave everything intact, but will limit you to 12.04 as I'm pretty sure it's no longer being developed. Another option, is to run Ubuntu in a VirtualBox virtual machine...

– Kendor
Sep 9 '13 at 15:47










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















0














There are plenty of guides which answer your question, let me introduce you with one of them:





  • Full How-To. It says, you should not delete any files, just reduce the Windows' partition size and install Ubuntu on vacated place.






share|improve this answer

































    0














    You can't suppress Windows and replace it with Ubuntu like that. Mainly because Ubuntu doesn't use NTFS, and the C:/Documents and Settings/Yourname/ means nothing to Ubuntu.



    But, you can install Ubuntu without loosing your files with some manipulations (cheater, booo !). Note that none of your windows software will work on Ubuntu as it.



    For example, I use Ubuntu on a 50Gb partition, and I also have a 700Gb NTFS partition for my documents.
    The manipulation is quite simple but varies depending on your free space/an external storage disk:



    1) You have enough free space to duplicate all your files :




    • Install Ubuntu in dual-boot on a maximum-sized EXT4 partition (example, you have a 1Tb hard disk with 600Gb free, you install Ubuntu on a ~580Gb partition)

    • Boot on Ubuntu


    • Copy all your files from Windows into Ubuntu (example : My Documents, on C:/Documents and Settings/Yourname/My Documents can be moved to /home/yourname/documents).



      /! Be sure to save ALL that you want, next step will completely erase your non-copied files.



    • Use OS-Uninstaller (sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y os-uninstaller) to remove windows

    • Boot with a Ubuntu livecd

    • Use Gparted (from the livecd!) to delete the old windows partition (wich should be blank), and extend your Ubuntu partition.


    2) You have an external support (usb hdd, another hard-disk connected to your motherboard, ...) :





    • Copy all your files from Windows into the external support



      /! Be sure to save ALL that you want, next step will completely erase your non-copied files.



    • Install a brand new Ubuntu and erase all your windows files.

    • Copy your files from the external support into Ubuntu (/home/yourname/Documents, /home/yourname/Images, etc. )




    If you don't have enough free space to duplicate nor an external storage, you could try this, BUT it's really starting to get wierd :




    • Install Ubuntu on a small EXT4 partition (like 8Gb)

    • Remove your Windows files (C:/Program Files and C:/Windows)

    • Always use the NTFS partition mounted (usually in /media/XXX)to play with your files, but you will have to deal with strange directories like /media/XXX/Documents and Settings/Yourname/My Documents/ for your old "My Documents" directory.

    • Delete the Windows entries from Grub or skip grub to always start on Ubuntu.


    EDIT : this last solution is very similar to the one Danatela suggested while I was writing this.






    share|improve this answer

























      Your Answer








      StackExchange.ready(function() {
      var channelOptions = {
      tags: "".split(" "),
      id: "89"
      };
      initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

      StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
      // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
      if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
      StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
      createEditor();
      });
      }
      else {
      createEditor();
      }
      });

      function createEditor() {
      StackExchange.prepareEditor({
      heartbeatType: 'answer',
      autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
      convertImagesToLinks: true,
      noModals: true,
      showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
      reputationToPostImages: 10,
      bindNavPrevention: true,
      postfix: "",
      imageUploader: {
      brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
      contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
      allowUrls: true
      },
      onDemand: true,
      discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
      ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
      });


      }
      });














      draft saved

      draft discarded


















      StackExchange.ready(
      function () {
      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2faskubuntu.com%2fquestions%2f343389%2fcan-i-install-ubuntu-without-disturbing-any-files-without-dual-boot%23new-answer', 'question_page');
      }
      );

      Post as a guest















      Required, but never shown

























      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      0














      There are plenty of guides which answer your question, let me introduce you with one of them:





      • Full How-To. It says, you should not delete any files, just reduce the Windows' partition size and install Ubuntu on vacated place.






      share|improve this answer






























        0














        There are plenty of guides which answer your question, let me introduce you with one of them:





        • Full How-To. It says, you should not delete any files, just reduce the Windows' partition size and install Ubuntu on vacated place.






        share|improve this answer




























          0












          0








          0







          There are plenty of guides which answer your question, let me introduce you with one of them:





          • Full How-To. It says, you should not delete any files, just reduce the Windows' partition size and install Ubuntu on vacated place.






          share|improve this answer















          There are plenty of guides which answer your question, let me introduce you with one of them:





          • Full How-To. It says, you should not delete any files, just reduce the Windows' partition size and install Ubuntu on vacated place.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:24









          Community

          1




          1










          answered Sep 9 '13 at 16:03









          DanatelaDanatela

          9,33493264




          9,33493264

























              0














              You can't suppress Windows and replace it with Ubuntu like that. Mainly because Ubuntu doesn't use NTFS, and the C:/Documents and Settings/Yourname/ means nothing to Ubuntu.



              But, you can install Ubuntu without loosing your files with some manipulations (cheater, booo !). Note that none of your windows software will work on Ubuntu as it.



              For example, I use Ubuntu on a 50Gb partition, and I also have a 700Gb NTFS partition for my documents.
              The manipulation is quite simple but varies depending on your free space/an external storage disk:



              1) You have enough free space to duplicate all your files :




              • Install Ubuntu in dual-boot on a maximum-sized EXT4 partition (example, you have a 1Tb hard disk with 600Gb free, you install Ubuntu on a ~580Gb partition)

              • Boot on Ubuntu


              • Copy all your files from Windows into Ubuntu (example : My Documents, on C:/Documents and Settings/Yourname/My Documents can be moved to /home/yourname/documents).



                /! Be sure to save ALL that you want, next step will completely erase your non-copied files.



              • Use OS-Uninstaller (sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y os-uninstaller) to remove windows

              • Boot with a Ubuntu livecd

              • Use Gparted (from the livecd!) to delete the old windows partition (wich should be blank), and extend your Ubuntu partition.


              2) You have an external support (usb hdd, another hard-disk connected to your motherboard, ...) :





              • Copy all your files from Windows into the external support



                /! Be sure to save ALL that you want, next step will completely erase your non-copied files.



              • Install a brand new Ubuntu and erase all your windows files.

              • Copy your files from the external support into Ubuntu (/home/yourname/Documents, /home/yourname/Images, etc. )




              If you don't have enough free space to duplicate nor an external storage, you could try this, BUT it's really starting to get wierd :




              • Install Ubuntu on a small EXT4 partition (like 8Gb)

              • Remove your Windows files (C:/Program Files and C:/Windows)

              • Always use the NTFS partition mounted (usually in /media/XXX)to play with your files, but you will have to deal with strange directories like /media/XXX/Documents and Settings/Yourname/My Documents/ for your old "My Documents" directory.

              • Delete the Windows entries from Grub or skip grub to always start on Ubuntu.


              EDIT : this last solution is very similar to the one Danatela suggested while I was writing this.






              share|improve this answer






























                0














                You can't suppress Windows and replace it with Ubuntu like that. Mainly because Ubuntu doesn't use NTFS, and the C:/Documents and Settings/Yourname/ means nothing to Ubuntu.



                But, you can install Ubuntu without loosing your files with some manipulations (cheater, booo !). Note that none of your windows software will work on Ubuntu as it.



                For example, I use Ubuntu on a 50Gb partition, and I also have a 700Gb NTFS partition for my documents.
                The manipulation is quite simple but varies depending on your free space/an external storage disk:



                1) You have enough free space to duplicate all your files :




                • Install Ubuntu in dual-boot on a maximum-sized EXT4 partition (example, you have a 1Tb hard disk with 600Gb free, you install Ubuntu on a ~580Gb partition)

                • Boot on Ubuntu


                • Copy all your files from Windows into Ubuntu (example : My Documents, on C:/Documents and Settings/Yourname/My Documents can be moved to /home/yourname/documents).



                  /! Be sure to save ALL that you want, next step will completely erase your non-copied files.



                • Use OS-Uninstaller (sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y os-uninstaller) to remove windows

                • Boot with a Ubuntu livecd

                • Use Gparted (from the livecd!) to delete the old windows partition (wich should be blank), and extend your Ubuntu partition.


                2) You have an external support (usb hdd, another hard-disk connected to your motherboard, ...) :





                • Copy all your files from Windows into the external support



                  /! Be sure to save ALL that you want, next step will completely erase your non-copied files.



                • Install a brand new Ubuntu and erase all your windows files.

                • Copy your files from the external support into Ubuntu (/home/yourname/Documents, /home/yourname/Images, etc. )




                If you don't have enough free space to duplicate nor an external storage, you could try this, BUT it's really starting to get wierd :




                • Install Ubuntu on a small EXT4 partition (like 8Gb)

                • Remove your Windows files (C:/Program Files and C:/Windows)

                • Always use the NTFS partition mounted (usually in /media/XXX)to play with your files, but you will have to deal with strange directories like /media/XXX/Documents and Settings/Yourname/My Documents/ for your old "My Documents" directory.

                • Delete the Windows entries from Grub or skip grub to always start on Ubuntu.


                EDIT : this last solution is very similar to the one Danatela suggested while I was writing this.






                share|improve this answer




























                  0












                  0








                  0







                  You can't suppress Windows and replace it with Ubuntu like that. Mainly because Ubuntu doesn't use NTFS, and the C:/Documents and Settings/Yourname/ means nothing to Ubuntu.



                  But, you can install Ubuntu without loosing your files with some manipulations (cheater, booo !). Note that none of your windows software will work on Ubuntu as it.



                  For example, I use Ubuntu on a 50Gb partition, and I also have a 700Gb NTFS partition for my documents.
                  The manipulation is quite simple but varies depending on your free space/an external storage disk:



                  1) You have enough free space to duplicate all your files :




                  • Install Ubuntu in dual-boot on a maximum-sized EXT4 partition (example, you have a 1Tb hard disk with 600Gb free, you install Ubuntu on a ~580Gb partition)

                  • Boot on Ubuntu


                  • Copy all your files from Windows into Ubuntu (example : My Documents, on C:/Documents and Settings/Yourname/My Documents can be moved to /home/yourname/documents).



                    /! Be sure to save ALL that you want, next step will completely erase your non-copied files.



                  • Use OS-Uninstaller (sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y os-uninstaller) to remove windows

                  • Boot with a Ubuntu livecd

                  • Use Gparted (from the livecd!) to delete the old windows partition (wich should be blank), and extend your Ubuntu partition.


                  2) You have an external support (usb hdd, another hard-disk connected to your motherboard, ...) :





                  • Copy all your files from Windows into the external support



                    /! Be sure to save ALL that you want, next step will completely erase your non-copied files.



                  • Install a brand new Ubuntu and erase all your windows files.

                  • Copy your files from the external support into Ubuntu (/home/yourname/Documents, /home/yourname/Images, etc. )




                  If you don't have enough free space to duplicate nor an external storage, you could try this, BUT it's really starting to get wierd :




                  • Install Ubuntu on a small EXT4 partition (like 8Gb)

                  • Remove your Windows files (C:/Program Files and C:/Windows)

                  • Always use the NTFS partition mounted (usually in /media/XXX)to play with your files, but you will have to deal with strange directories like /media/XXX/Documents and Settings/Yourname/My Documents/ for your old "My Documents" directory.

                  • Delete the Windows entries from Grub or skip grub to always start on Ubuntu.


                  EDIT : this last solution is very similar to the one Danatela suggested while I was writing this.






                  share|improve this answer















                  You can't suppress Windows and replace it with Ubuntu like that. Mainly because Ubuntu doesn't use NTFS, and the C:/Documents and Settings/Yourname/ means nothing to Ubuntu.



                  But, you can install Ubuntu without loosing your files with some manipulations (cheater, booo !). Note that none of your windows software will work on Ubuntu as it.



                  For example, I use Ubuntu on a 50Gb partition, and I also have a 700Gb NTFS partition for my documents.
                  The manipulation is quite simple but varies depending on your free space/an external storage disk:



                  1) You have enough free space to duplicate all your files :




                  • Install Ubuntu in dual-boot on a maximum-sized EXT4 partition (example, you have a 1Tb hard disk with 600Gb free, you install Ubuntu on a ~580Gb partition)

                  • Boot on Ubuntu


                  • Copy all your files from Windows into Ubuntu (example : My Documents, on C:/Documents and Settings/Yourname/My Documents can be moved to /home/yourname/documents).



                    /! Be sure to save ALL that you want, next step will completely erase your non-copied files.



                  • Use OS-Uninstaller (sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y os-uninstaller) to remove windows

                  • Boot with a Ubuntu livecd

                  • Use Gparted (from the livecd!) to delete the old windows partition (wich should be blank), and extend your Ubuntu partition.


                  2) You have an external support (usb hdd, another hard-disk connected to your motherboard, ...) :





                  • Copy all your files from Windows into the external support



                    /! Be sure to save ALL that you want, next step will completely erase your non-copied files.



                  • Install a brand new Ubuntu and erase all your windows files.

                  • Copy your files from the external support into Ubuntu (/home/yourname/Documents, /home/yourname/Images, etc. )




                  If you don't have enough free space to duplicate nor an external storage, you could try this, BUT it's really starting to get wierd :




                  • Install Ubuntu on a small EXT4 partition (like 8Gb)

                  • Remove your Windows files (C:/Program Files and C:/Windows)

                  • Always use the NTFS partition mounted (usually in /media/XXX)to play with your files, but you will have to deal with strange directories like /media/XXX/Documents and Settings/Yourname/My Documents/ for your old "My Documents" directory.

                  • Delete the Windows entries from Grub or skip grub to always start on Ubuntu.


                  EDIT : this last solution is very similar to the one Danatela suggested while I was writing this.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Sep 10 '13 at 0:09

























                  answered Sep 9 '13 at 16:35









                  MrVaykadjiMrVaykadji

                  3,96722152




                  3,96722152






























                      draft saved

                      draft discarded




















































                      Thanks for contributing an answer to Ask Ubuntu!


                      • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                      But avoid



                      • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                      • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                      To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                      draft saved


                      draft discarded














                      StackExchange.ready(
                      function () {
                      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2faskubuntu.com%2fquestions%2f343389%2fcan-i-install-ubuntu-without-disturbing-any-files-without-dual-boot%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                      }
                      );

                      Post as a guest















                      Required, but never shown





















































                      Required, but never shown














                      Required, but never shown












                      Required, but never shown







                      Required, but never shown

































                      Required, but never shown














                      Required, but never shown












                      Required, but never shown







                      Required, but never shown







                      Popular posts from this blog

                      GameSpot

                      connect to host localhost port 22: Connection refused

                      Getting a Wifi WPA2 wifi connection