Editing Linux distribution (section)

===Installation via an existing operating system===
Some distributions let the user install Linux on top of their current system, such as [[WinLinux]] or [[Cooperative Linux|coLinux]]. Linux is installed to the Windows hard disk partition, and can be started from inside Windows itself.

Virtual machines (such as [[VirtualBox]] or [[VMware]]) also make it possible for Linux to be run inside another OS. The VM software simulates a separate computer onto which the Linux system is installed. After installation, the virtual machine can be booted as if it were an independent computer.

Various tools are also available to perform full [[dual-boot]] installations from existing platforms without a CD, most notably:
* The (now deprecated) [[Wubi (installer)|Wubi installer]], which allows Windows users to download and install [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]] or its derivatives into a FAT32 or an NTFS partition without an installation CD, allowing users to easily dual boot between either operating system on the same hard drive without losing data. Replaced by [[Ubiquity (software)|Ubiquity]].
* [[Win32-loader (Debian)|Win32-loader]], which is in the process of being integrated in official Debian CDs/DVDs, and allows Windows users to install [[Debian]] without a CD, though it performs a network installation and thereby requires repartitioning<ref name="lHWXD">{{cite web |author=Debian Webmaster|url=http://packages.debian.org/testing/win32-loader |title=Debian - Details of package win32-loader in Lenny |publisher=Packages.debian.org |access-date=July 29, 2011 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605104509/http://packages.debian.org/testing/win32-loader |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[UNetbootin]], which allows Windows and Linux users to perform similar no-CD network installations for a wide variety of Linux distributions and additionally provides [[live USB]] creation support