[Bug 1915505] [NEW] Minimal install appears to install full system, then purge much of it

[Ian]

Public bug reported:

I wanted to install Ubuntu 18.04.5 in a VirtualBox instance to run
something that may not like Ubuntu MATE 20.10, but is officially
supported in Ubuntu 18.04.

As part of the installation process, I am asked - as ever - if I want a
minimal install (just a 'web browser' plus essentials) or a full
install.

For possibly the first time in using Ubuntu since Warty Warthog, I pick
the minimal install.

Hmm, it's taking a while..

.. why is it saying it is purging things like LibreOffice and
Thunderbird and DejaDup etc etc etc?

When asked for a minimal install, does the installer actually install
everything and then purge a large chunk of it?

As well as taking extra time, this also has implications for virtual
machines, as most of them only allocate 'real' disc space when the space
is used on the virtual disc, so the resulting disc file will take up
more space on the host machine.

If it does not install LibreOffice etc, why does it need to spend so
long saying it is purging it and much else?

** Affects: base-installer (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1915505

Title:
  Minimal install appears to install full system, then purge much of it

Status in base-installer package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  I wanted to install Ubuntu 18.04.5 in a VirtualBox instance to run
  something that may not like Ubuntu MATE 20.10, but is officially
  supported in Ubuntu 18.04.

  As part of the installation process, I am asked - as ever - if I want
  a minimal install (just a 'web browser' plus essentials) or a full
  install.

  For possibly the first time in using Ubuntu since Warty Warthog, I
  pick the minimal install.

  Hmm, it's taking a while..

  .. why is it saying it is purging things like LibreOffice and
  Thunderbird and DejaDup etc etc etc?

  When asked for a minimal install, does the installer actually install
  everything and then purge a large chunk of it?

  As well as taking extra time, this also has implications for virtual
  machines, as most of them only allocate 'real' disc space when the
  space is used on the virtual disc, so the resulting disc file will
  take up more space on the host machine.

  If it does not install LibreOffice etc, why does it need to spend so
  long saying it is purging it and much else?

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