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Idea #19193: Use existing home folder when reinstalling Ubuntu

bug This idea was marked as implemented the 5 September 10.
Written by Tallyho the 13 Apr 09 at 17:41. Related project: Live CD installer. Status: Implemented
Rationale
Sometimes a reinstallation is healthy. It is also recommended when installing a new version. The Ubuntu installer insists on formating or re-partitioning the drive before copying files. This, obviously, also deletes the home folder.
Tags: folder home

225
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#1): Use existing home folder when reinstalling Ubuntu
Written by Tallyho the 13 Apr 09 at 17:41.
Make a choice to "Use existing home folder" when installing Ubuntu. This includes home folders on other partitions.
73
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#2): Solution 1 + Directing
Written by Basem the 14 Apr 09 at 07:15.
The user can direct the installer to his/her current home directory...
-31
votes
implemented
Selected solution (#4): Allow sym-linking at install.
Written by Darwin Survivor the 14 Apr 09 at 22:03.
Some people have their home folders as a folder on a separate partition.
ex: /home -> /media/secondary/home

This allows more than one system folder to be on a single secondary partition, allowing the use of only primary partitions instead of logical partitions.

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Comments
Pizdec wrote on the 14 Apr 09 at 14:08
Lol, the best approach in minus. Idiotic solutions that doesn't work in general in pluses. Canonical, it's time to close this project.

Darwin Survivor (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 14 Apr 09 at 22:00
I would like to be able to make symlinks at install time. I have my home folder as a "folder" on a secondary partition.

On every reinstall, I:
-login as user
-set root password
-enable admin-login
-login as root
-rm -rf /home; ln -s /media/secondary/home /home
-re-login as user
-dissable admin login
-dissable root password

being able to simply set /home as a symlink at install would save me quite a bit of annoyance.

Tallyho wrote on the 15 Apr 09 at 12:45
I belive that symlinking is a feature for the alternative installer. Using symlink on the main installer would complicate the install process for non-technical users.

Meeko wrote on the 15 Apr 09 at 22:32
Make a checkbox for witch folders that the new homefolder should contain. So that you are able to remove useless configs, and hidden folders.

Tallyho wrote on the 16 Apr 09 at 09:07
Just like you are able to transfer firefox and evolution settings, you should be able to transfer everything else.

JebusWankel wrote on the 27 Apr 09 at 06:00
@Darwin Survivor
I have a traditional /home partition setup and it is very easy to setup in the gui installer. You just have to set /home as the mount point for your secondary partition.

I agree that making a home partition setup one step easier would be very beneficial.


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