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currently I have ubuntu "installed on windows" and I was thinking about formatting and installing windows 8, but I want to keep my ubuntu OS. So my question was what could be done so I don't lose the information while I format (I don't have the HDD partitioned for each OS). Thanks in advance!

3 Answers 3

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In a Wubi install the Ubuntu system is just stored on Virtual Disks, which are just a couple of files from the Windows point of view.

So just copy these files to an USB drive or some external storage medium.

Now, format your disk, install Windows 8.

Now, using Wubi install the same version of Ubuntu you had before, make sure to follow the exact same steps as before while doing the Wubi install.

After the installation, you should just be able to swap the newly created Virtual disks with the Old Ones, and you should be able to have your system back.


If swapping with the old disks is not possible, you can still use the old disks for recovering data.

Refer
Can I mount a Wubi .disk image in a new Wubi installation?

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Áfter poking around for a while I found this guide: (I had completetely forgotten this is called wubi, that's why I wasn't finding what I needed) https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MigrateWubi

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Well heres what I do.

(do you have a second drive)?

Unplug Ubuntu Drive. Install windows on second drive.

Plug Ubuntu drive back in -> Boot Ubuntu.

In terminal:

sudo update-grub

done.

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  • Did you even read the question? Also this won't work. update-grub would update it on the old disk, which isn't what the OP wants.
    – Alex L.
    Dec 11, 2012 at 2:25
  • With all do respect, sir. I JUST did it.
    – TardisGuy
    Dec 11, 2012 at 2:28
  • and as i said it will not help the OP since he is using wubi and needs to restore the ubuntu entry in the windows boot manager. EDIT: not NTLDR but windows boot manager
    – Alex L.
    Dec 11, 2012 at 2:31
  • Ohhhhhh.... Ohhhhhh... You're right, I did misread that. (thinking backwards) My bad... my bad... ---> Well, then; The wubi image is a dd image, right? A functional partition? What if he (having only one drive) Shrinks the windows part + Copies the image to a new partition, and re-sizes to split disk? He would keep his install, but have to re-install grub (perhaps via grub for dos)
    – TardisGuy
    Dec 11, 2012 at 2:42
  • I realize he would have to put it in an extended to make swap, but should boot fine right?
    – TardisGuy
    Dec 11, 2012 at 2:44

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