How to Install Ubuntu Without a USB Drive: An In-Depth Guide
Introduction
As an experienced full stack developer and Linux system administrator, I often need to install Ubuntu and other Linux distributions. Typically, the standard method is to create bootable installation media on a USB drive or DVD. However, sometimes I find myself without a spare drive available, but with an urgent need to install Ubuntu.
Over the years, I have refined an alternative installation process that relies solely on the Ubuntu ISO file and clever booting techniques. In this comprehensive guide, I will share step-by-step instructions along with some insider knowledge and troubleshooting tips for installing Ubuntu without any external media.
Prerequisites
Before getting started, ensure your system meets these hardware and software requirements:
- 64-bit Intel or AMD CPU (make/model not important)
- At least 8 GB RAM recommended for smooth performance
- Solid state drive strongly recommended over hard disk
- Empty disk space for Ubuntu:
- Minimum 25 GB for base install
- 100 GB better for storage expansion
- Secure Boot disabled in BIOS
- Host machine running Windows 10 version 2004 or newer, or macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer
You will also need an Ubuntu 20.04 LTS ISO file downloaded from the official servers. The standard desktop image works great for most users. The download is around 2.8 GB in size.
Finally, the WubiUEFI utility must be downloaded and installed onto your host system. This ingenious open source tool allows an ISO file to be bootstrapped directly from within Windows or macOS as a native UEFI application.
WubiUEFI Explained
WubiUEFI is the magic that makes this entire ISO-based installation possible. Developed by independent programmer Haojian Wu, this utility utilizes several low level Windows and macOS features to natively host an Ubuntu environment.
Specifcally, it takes advantage of Intel‘s Hardware Accelerated Execution Manager (HAXM). This allows a complete VM-like guest OS to run with near bare metal speeds. By combining this virtualized hardware with DirectX/OpenGL GPU passthrough techniques, the Ubuntu desktop can render seamlessly to the screen.
The installation itself is then handled by simply looping back the host hard disk or SSD to provide disk space to Ubuntu. This allows the standard Ubiquity installer included on the ISO to run while powered by the Wubi backend drivers. Very clever!
I greatly appreciate the work Haojian has dedicated over several years to craft WubiUEFI. I have found it by far the most reliable and performant internal ISO boot solution available today.
Installing WubiUEFI
The WubiUEFI releases page contains installers for both Windows and macOS hosts:
Windows: https://github.com/hakuna-m/wubiuefi/releases/latest/download/wubiuefi-win.exe
macOS: https://github.com/hakuna-m/wubiuefi/releases/latest/download/wubiuefi-mac
The Windows download is a standard .exe installer. Launch it and follow the prompts to install WubiUEFI onto your system.
The macOS download is a pre-compiled binary. To install, mount the DMG container and copy the wubiuefi application into your /Applications folder or any other convenient location.
With WubiUEFI taken care of, we are ready to move onto booting Ubuntu!
Launching the Ubuntu Installer
It‘s now time to utilize WubiUEFI for its intended purpose – effortlessly booting the Ubuntu installer completely natively from within Windows or macOS.
Here is an overview of the quick process:
- Locate your downloaded Ubuntu 20.04 ISO file
- Create a new folder and place a copy of the ISO there for easy access
- Launch the WubiUEFI application
- Select the Ubuntu ISO via the file picker
- Click the Open button and allow a few moments for installer boot!
And that‘s it! WubiUEFI will automatically handle transferring control entirely to the ISO. Shortly you will see Ubuntu splash screens indicating full boot just as if from physical media. After dropping to the live desktop, double click the installer icon to begin setup.
A Note About Secure Boot
At this point in the boot process, you may encounter a failure with Secure Boot enabled in your firmware settings. Because WubiUEFI simulates a boot scenario, the Ubuntu installer‘s kernel drivers have not been signed to match your motherboard keys that Secure Boot requires.
Luckily this is an easy fix – simply access your system BIOS/UEFI settings and disable Secure Boot. The Ubuntu installer should now boot successfully and without issue after another WubiUEFI restart. Just be sure to re-enable Secure Boot once Ubuntu is fully set up if this is an important security feature for your computer.
With Secure Boot addressed, it should be perfectly smooth sailing to get Ubuntu installed completely internally!
Installing Ubuntu
If this is your first encounter with an Ubuntu installer, have no worries – the graphical setup process was designed to be simple for both novice and expert Linux users.
I will briefly go through each screen, but feel free to explore any additional options you come across:
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Language – Pick your preferred interface language. This will set the default system locale as well.
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Keyboard – Ensure the correct layout is selected to match your physical keyboard.
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Updates – Always choose to install available updates for most secure system.
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Installation Type – Select "Erase disk…" for fresh Ubuntu only. Or pick "Install alongside" if dual booting.
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Timezone – Choose your time zone region to set the hardware clock.
With the preferences configured, take a moment to review the summary page. Carefully check that partitions or disks will be modified as intended. If everything looks correct, click the Install Now button to begin!
At this point, the Ubuntu installer will display a slideshow overview and commence copying files in the background. Grab a cup of coffee, as this process can take 10-15 minutes depending on your host hardware specifications. Once completed, click the prompt to restart the computer.
First Boot Tips
After rebooting from the installer, your computer should automatically load Ubuntu at the OS selection screen:
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Windows: Pick Ubuntu from the boot menu prompted by tapping F12, F8 or other keys during manufacturer splash.
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macOS: Hold Option during boot chime to reveal Ubuntu boot drive icon.
During the first post-install boot, Ubuntu will configure a few final setup steps and then request your user account details. Choose a memorable password you can type quickly. With that, enjoy exploring your shiny new Linux desktop environment!
Diving Into Linux
For those coming from a Windows or macOS background, the Ubuntu desktop will look familiar with some elements arranged differently. The Launcher bar down the left contains pinned shortcuts to key apps and window management. An optional Panel across the top provides menu links and system status indicators.
Of course, the biggest change is beneath the surface at the command line. Ubuntu ships with a powerful bash terminal prompt giving you direct access to the Linux engine. This enables software development, system automation and server administration right from the desktop. Let‘s get started!
Opening A Terminal
The quickest way to launch a terminal is by utilizing the handy Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut. This will spawn a new bash prompt ready for executing Linux commands. Additional shortcuts include:
- Ctrl+Shift+N – Open a new browser window
- Ctrl+Alt+L – Lock the screen when stepping away
For help discovering more desktop shortcuts, click the Ubuntu logo button in the Launcher and select "Keyboard" > "Shortcuts". This launches the System Settings area with customization options for many aspects of the operating system.
Must-Have Apps
While Ubuntu ships with a full suite of pre-installed productivity and entertainment programs, there are some additional applications I recommend installing to boost your Linux tool set:
- Google Chrome – De facto standard web browser with best compatibility
- Sublime Text – Lightweight yet powerful source code editor
- Postman – Essential API development and testing tool
- Zoom – Leading video conferencing provider with Linux client
Quickly install additional apps by opening the Software Center via the Launcher icon or by running:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install <package>This leverages the advanced Debian package manager under Ubuntu‘s hood to download and configure new programs directly from repositories.
Personalization
Make Ubuntu feel like home by customizing the desktop with your favorite background images and preferred color scheme. Easily access these options from System Settings:
- Desktop Panel – Set wallpaper, icon layout, themes
- Appearance Panel – Switch light/dark modes, accent colors
- Fonts Panel – Enable screen font smoothing
Also explore the Tweaks utility for even more desktop modifications including animation speeds, window behaviors and workspaces.
Conclusion
While creating bootable USB installation media is the standard method for deploying Linux distributions like Ubuntu, it comes with caveats. You must have sufficient available drives, configure proper persistence if desired, and repeat the process each release.
Leveraging WubiUEFI‘s capabilities for internal ISO boots removes these hurdles and streamlines Ubuntu testing and adoption for Windows and macOS users. This powerful utility handles the complexity of nested virtual booting automatically.
I hope this guide serves both as a practical walkthrough for anyone needing access to Linux on short notice, as well as a testament to the continual impressive innovation from the open source community.
Let me know if you have any other questions about Ubuntu or Linux in general! I‘m always happy to help guide new users and share my decade of industry knowledge as a full time Linux professional.