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Linux Installation: Install Linux in VirtualBox on Windows

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Install Linux in VirtualBox on Windows

Oracle VM VirtualBox is a free and open source virtualization application. You might be wondering: What does that mean? It means it lets you run another operating system inside of a window in your existing operating system like it was any other program. The only limit is the disk space and memory you have available. If you have the resources, you can run several virtual machines at a time.

Once you've downloaded and installed from the VirtualBox download page following the default installation settings, you can begin.

Step 1: Choose OS settings in VirtualBox

Next you're going to create a new virtual machine and choose the setttings.

  • Click New to create a virtual machine create new virtual machine
  • Enter Ubuntu Linux as the name, and if you need to, select Linux as type and Ubuntu (64-bit) as the version enter name of os
  • Select at least 2GB of RAM, but no more than 50 percent of your total RAM select RAM amount
  • Select Create a virtual hard disk now in order to select hard disk to be used
  • Select VHD (Virtual Hard Disk)
  • Select Dynamically allocated storage, so it only fills space when it's used
  • Select at least 10GB for OS size select size
  • Click Start to begin a Normal start start vm
  • Choose a virtual optical disc by clicking the folder icon on the right choose optical disc
  • Add disc image and browse to the downloaded Ubuntu ISO file browse to disc image
  • Press Start to begin installation

WARNING your hardware virtualization is disabled or your pc doesn't support it if you see the below error when you press start.

Hardware virtualization disabled error

Refer to the guide on: Enabling Hardware Virtualization

Step 2: Install Linux in VirtualBox

Finally, we've gotten everything setup and and are ready to install Linux on the virtual machine.

  • Wait for disk check to complete disk check is normal
  • Choose Install Ubuntu to install as OS for the virtual machine ubuntu install welcome
  • Select your keyboard layout and then select Minimal installation, check Download updates, and Install third-party software before continuing updates and software screen
  • Select Erase Disk and Install Ubuntu, then install now Installation type
  • Select your time zone, then enter your username and password who are you screen
  • Click Devices in the file menu > Optical Devices > Host Drive after restart inside virtual machine once installation completes and it prompts you to Remove the installation medium remove installation medium

Ubuntu is now installed, and you can sign in!