How to Install Linux on Windows With VirtualBox
So you can give it a test drive first
You hear your friends talk about Linux all the time, or maybe you’re just wonderingwhich OS is better for you, Windows or Linux. You’re tempted to try it, but you’re not entirely sure if you’ll like Linux. Is there a way you could just try it out first? Fortunately, there is.
You can use VirtualBox to install a Linux-based OS within Windows 10. While you could dual-boot a Linux OS alongside Windows, VirtualBox offers a much cleaner slate if you choose to abandon the Linux OS after a few days.
How to Install Linux on Windows Using VirtualBox
You caninstall any Linux OSusing this method, but we’ll use Ubuntu for this tutorial since it’s the most popular.
Start by downloading theISO for Ubuntu. Don’t worry about not having a spare blank disk or flash drive lying around. Since you’reinstalling Ubuntu with VirtualBox, all you need is the ISO.
It’s ideal to use the LTS (long-term support) version. The current LTS version is Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS.
You’ll need todownloadand install VirtualBox on your PC. You can download the Windows package, but there are packages available for Linux and macOS as well. Note that the installation process may vary slightly among them.
Run the installation and follow the prompts. Once installed, check if theUbuntu ISOhas finished downloading. If it has, you can move forward and configure VirtualBox for Ubuntu.
You’ll see the following welcome screen when you launch VirtualBox. Click onNewto begin the configuration process.
A dialog box should pop up. Next, follow these steps:
You’ll also need to allocate a portion of your hard disk to the virtual machine. This portion will only be accessible to your virtual operating system, i.e., Ubuntu in this case. You have two options to choose from; you could either useDynamically allocatedstorage which grows as you keep using the storage, or allocate aFixed-sizestorage limit that offers faster performance.
Thiscompletes the first part of the configuration process. Our virtual machine has been set up, so let’s now move forward and add the Ubuntu ISO to the virtual machine. If you already have an Ubuntu CD/DVD, you could insert that into the drive and use it in the virtual machine too.
Before moving forward, ensure that you have hardware virtualization enabled in your bios settings. If it’s not enabled, the next steps will not work.
You’ll now see Ubuntu listed on VirtualBox’s left sidebar. Select it and click onSettings.
Look forStorageon the left sidebar of theSettingsdialog box. Click on the tiny disc icon in theAttributessection, selectChoose a disk file, navigate to the ISO, and selectOK.
You’re now ready to install Ubuntu on your virtual machine.
Start by clicking theStartbutton on the VirtualBox home screen. Select the Ubuntu ISO as the start-up disk in the dialog box that pops up and selectStart.
You’ll see the machine initiate the process. This may take a few minutes.
You have two options at this point. You could eitherTry Ubuntubefore you move forward with the installation orInstall Ubuntuif you feel confident already.
If you chooseTry Ubuntu, you can start using Ubuntu right away. Alternatively, you could choose toInstall Ubuntu.
Before installing Ubuntu, remember that you can use it like any other operating system, but you can’t store any data on a virtual machine. Every reboot is a fresh start with no data preserved from the previous session.
If you’ve chosen to move forward with the install option, selectInstall Ubuntuto initiate installation.
When the installation completes, your virtual machine will automatically reboot. Run the virtual machine again, and it should boot into Ubuntu.
Ready to Use Ubuntu as a Primary OS?
You might just end up falling in love with this free, open-source OS enough to want to install it separately on your system. You can either install Ubuntu as your primary OS ordual-boot it with Windows.
Arjun is a freelance writer based in India. After working as an equity research analyst, Arjun decided to do something that he has been passionate about – tech. He gets excited talking about and explaining how to solve everyday tech problems. His area of expertise is Windows and is a go-to for all things Excel.Read Arjun’s Full Bio
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