No root file system is defined , what should I do?

Question

When I try to install Ubuntu in Windows 10 using wubi.exe, when I boot, I get an error says No root file system is defined and the installation is not complete.

Please help.

The official Wubi versions do not work. So avoid it or try a community supported version — ngng, Mar 08 '16 at 18:57

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 08 '16 at 17:01

1

Wubi isn't being developed anymore. If you just want to try Ubuntu you can use a LiveUSB without modifying your current install, or a virtual machine with something like VirtualBox.

answered Mar 08 '16 at 17:01

Swadaswad

11

okay , another question when I try to dual boot and install ubuntu alongside windows , I check on try something else but my hard drive appears as one partition , so what should I do to install it alongside windows 10 ( without wubi ) – Mohamed Amin Mar 08 '16 at 17:09
@MohamedAmin if you have another question, please start another question (after some investigation hasn't brought a useful answer)... - but i think you are looking for something like https://askubuntu.com/questions/221835/installing-ubuntu-on-a-pre-installed-windows-with-uefi or https://askubuntu.com/questions/163962/install-alongside-option-missing-how-do-i-install-ubuntu-beside-windows-using. – DJCrashdummy Mar 10 '16 at 09:18

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 15 '16 at 22:52

If you use Wubi "No root file system is defined" means that linux drivers cannot use your file /ubuntu/disks/root.disk.

Wubi.exe creates an empty file /ubuntu/disks/root.disk on Windows with Windows drivers and a setup file for Ubiquity.

After first reboot Ubiquity should process the setup file automatically and should use the file /ubuntu/disks/root.disk. But Ubiquity runs native with linux drivers of course. Sometimes Ubiquity cannot use your file because there are linux issues with your disks/partitions.

So, what can you do? If you want Wubi, you can try a release 303 or above from here (e.g.wubi1510r303). r303 has a fix for parted 3.2 and bugs of parted can cause your issue.

If you don't want Wubi, see tips of the other users.

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 08 '16 at 17:01

0

Contrary to the first comment, Wubi is still supported, but

Only on BIOS systems (no UEFI)
Only on Windows XP, Vista and 7.

Even if you can still enable a legacy BIOS mode, WUBI doesn't work with Windows 10's bootloader.

You'll have to do a proper install (eg dual boot) or use a virtual machine.

answered Mar 08 '16 at 17:01

Oli

293,335

okay , another question when I try to dual boot and install ubuntu alongside windows , I check on try something else but my hard drive appears as one partition , so what should I do to install it alongside windows 10 ( without wubi ) – Mohamed Amin Mar 08 '16 at 17:10
The installer should offer to resize the Windows partition. It can do this safely. If it doesn't offer that (ie it doesn't understand that it's a Windows partition) don't continue and make sure you have shut Windows down correctly. – Oli Mar 08 '16 at 17:22

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 08 '16 at 19:32

The "No root file system is defined" shows up when you forget to pick a partition and name it "/". That is a mandatory name for the root system on Linux/Ubuntu.

As stated by others: windows 10 is not a supported OS for a WUBI install. Microsoft changed its boot with W8 and newer versions that made it dangerous to use WUBI (loss of data is the worst thing that can happen).

No root file system is defined , what should I do?

4 Answers4