Install Linux Inside Windows Using VirtualBox

Last updated August 14, 2019 By Abhishek Prakash 198 Comments

Brief: Using Linux in a virtual machine gives you the option to try Linux within Windows. This step-by-step guide shows you how to install Linux inside Windows using VirtualBox.

There are several ways to install Linux. You can clean everything from your system and install Linux. You can dual boot Linux with Windows and choose one of the operating systems at the boot time. You can even install Linux within Windows from Microsoft Store (though this only provides you with the command line version of Linux).

But if you want to use Linux without making any changes to your Windows system, you can go the virtual machine route. Basically, you install and use Linux like any regular Windows application. When you just want to try Linux for limited use, virtual machines provide the most comfortable option.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to install Linux inside Windows using VirtualBox.

Installing Linux inside Windows using VirtualBox

VirtualBox is free and open source virtualization software from Oracle. It enables you to install other operating systems in virtual machines. It is recommended that your system should have at least 4GB of RAM to get decent performance from the virtual operating system.

Requirements

• Good internet connection to download software and Linux ISO. (You can also use some other computer with an internet connection to download these files.)
• Windows system with at least 12 GB of free space.
• Windows system with 4GB of rRAM. (It can work with less RAM as well, but your system will start to lag while using Linux in the virtual machine.)

I am installing Ubuntu 17.10 in this tutorial, but the same steps apply to any other Linux distribution. If you prefer videos, you can watch the one below from our YouTube channel:

Step 1: Download and install VirtualBox

Go to the website of Oracle VirtualBox and get the latest stable version from here:

Installing VirtualBox is not rocket science. Just double-click on the downloaded .exe file and follow the instructions on the screen. It is like installing any regular software on Windows.

Step 2: Download the Linux ISO

Next, you need to download the ISO file of the Linux distribution. You can get this image from the official website of the Linux distribution you are trying to use.

I am using Ubuntu in this example, and you can download ISO images for Ubuntu from the link below:

Step 3: Install Linux using VirtualBox

You have installed VirtualBox and you have downloaded the ISO for Linux. You are now set to install Linux in VirtualBox.

Start VirtualBox, and click on the New symbol. Give the virtual OS a relevant name.

Allocate RAM to the virtual OS. My system has 8GB of RAM and I decided to allocate 2GB of it. You can use more RAM if your system has enough extra.

Create a virtual disk. This serves as the hard disk of the virtual Linux system. It is where the virtual system will store its files.

I recommend using the VDI file type here.

You can choose either the “Dynamically allocated” or the “Fixed size” option for creating the virtual hard disk.

The recommended size is 10 GB. However, I suggest giving it more space if possible. 15-20 GB is preferable.

Once everything is in place, it’s time to boot that ISO and install Linux as a virtual operating system.

If VirtualBox doesn’t detect the Linux ISO, browse to its location by clicking the folder icon as shown in the picture below:

Soon you’ll find yourself inside Linux. You should be presented with the option to install it.

Things from here are Ubuntu-specific. Other Linux distributions may have slightly different looking steps, but it won’t be complicated at all.

You can skip to Continue.

Select ‘Erase disk and install Ubuntu’. Don’t worry. It won’t delete anything on your Windows operating system. You are using the virtual disk space of 15-20GB that we created in previous steps. It won’t impact the real operating system.

Just click on Continue.

Things are pretty straightforward from here.

Try to choose a password that you can remember. You can also reset the password in Ubuntu if you forget it.

You are almost done. It may take 10-15 minutes to complete the installation.

Once the installation finishes, restart the virtual system.

If it gets stuck on the screen below, you may close the VirtualBox.

And that’s all. From now on, just click on the installed Linux virtual machine. You’ll be able to use it directly. The installation is a one time only process. You can even delete the Linux ISO that you downloaded earlier.

I strongly recommend using VirtualBox Guest Additions on Ubuntu for it provides better compatibility and you would be able to use copy-paste and drag-drop between Linux and Windows.

Troubleshooting: AMD-V is disabled in the BIOS

If you face this error while using the virtual machine:

Not in a hypervisor partition (HVP=0) (VERR_NEM_NOT_AVAILABLE).
AMD-V is disabled in the BIOS (or by the host OS) (VERR_SVM_DISABLED).
Result Code:
E_FAIL (0x80004005)
Component:
ConsoleWrap
Interface:
IConsole

This means that virtualization is blocked on your system. You’ll have to activate it in your BIOS settings first.

Reboot your system and as soon as it powers up, press F2/F10/F12 to access BIOS settings. You have to look for the virtualization option in the BIOS and enable it.

Any questions?

That’s all you need to do to install Linux in VirtualBox on Windows. If you have any doubts, or if you encounter any issues, please feel free to ask your questions in the comment box below.

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How to Install Ubuntu Linux on Windows 10 With VirtualBox

Install Ubuntu in VirtualBox as a virtual machine for Windows 10

If you want to try Linux without installing Ubuntu on your Windows PC, you can set up an Ubuntu virtual machine. Here’s how to install Ubuntu in VirtualBox on Windows 10.

Instructions in this article are for installing Ubuntu 18.04 on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

Why Use an Ubuntu Virtual Machine?

Installing Ubuntu in a virtual machine allows you to try the version of Linux without affecting Windows. The virtual Linux operating system will perform the same way as it would when installed to the physical hard drive, and any software installed in the virtual machine remains intact after rebooting. Virtual machines can be easily backed up and restored, so it’s no big deal if you mess something up.

How to Install Ubuntu on Windows 10 With VirtualBox

To install Ubuntu as a virtual machine on Windows 10:

Download VirtualBox for Windows and install it on your computer.

Download the Ubuntu ISO file you want to install from the Ubuntu download page.

The current version of Ubuntu only works on 64-bit machines. Check the Windows Control Panel to tell if you’re running a 32-bit or 64-bit system.

Open VirtualBox and select New in the top taskbar.

Give your VM a name, choose Linux as the Type, then choose Ubuntu as the Version and select Next.

If you’re using a 32-bit version of Windows, you can install an older 32-bit version of Ubuntu instead.

Choose how much RAM you want to assign to the virtual machine and select Next. The recommended minimum is 1024 MB.

The amount of memory you set aside is only used while the virtual machine is running.

Choose Create a virtual hard disk now and select Create.

If you just want to run Ubuntu as a live image, choose Do not add a virtual hard disk. You must create a virtual hard drive to save the changes you make in Ubuntu.

Choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) and select Next.

Choose Dynamically allocated or Fixed size for the storage type and select Next.

A fixed size disk performs better because the virtual machine doesn’t have to increase the file size as you install software.

Choose how much space you wish to set aside for Ubuntu and select Create.

The amount of space you allocate for your virtual machine determines how much room you have to install applications, so set aside an ample amount.

The name of your virtual machine will now appear on the left side of the VirtualBox manager. Select Start in the toolbar to launch your VM.

This is the point where you need to choose the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded earlier. If the VM doesn’t automatically detect it, select the folder next to the Empty field.

Select Add in the window that pops up.

Choose your Ubuntu disk image and select Open.

Select Choose.

Select Start.

Your VM will now boot into a live version of Ubuntu. Choose your language and select Install Ubuntu.

If you select Try Ubuntu, you can run the installer later by double-clicking Install Ubuntu on the desktop.

Choose your keyboard layout and select Continue.

Choose Normal installation or Minimal installation, then select Continue.

Check the boxes under Other Options to download updates and install third party software for Ubuntu.

Choose Erase disk and install Ubuntu and select Install Now, then select Continue to ignore the warning.

This step will not erase your computer’s physical hard drive; it only applies to the virtual machine.

Choose your time zone on the map, then select Continue.

Set up your user account and select Continue.

You can choose to encrypt your home folder for extra security.

Select Restart Now.

How to Install Guest Additions for Ubuntu

After restarting your VM and booting into Ubuntu, you may notice that the desktop doesn’t scale correctly if you choose to view it in full-screen mode. You can fix this problem by selecting the VBox_GAs icon to install VirtualBox Guest Additions.

Guest additions must be downloaded and mounted separately from the Ubuntu ISO.

Select the briefcase icon to open the Ubuntu Software app, which lets you install additional applications on your virtual machine.