Author:
William Ramirez
Date Of Creation:
22 September 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
- Steps
- Part 1 of 4: How to Download Ubuntu
- Part 2 of 4: How to create a virtual machine
- Part 3 of 4: How to Install Ubuntu
- Part 4 of 4: How to set up Ubuntu
- Tips
- Warnings
This article will show you how to install Ubuntu Linux on your computer in VirtualBox. VirtualBox is a program in which you can install an additional operating system without changing the main system of your computer.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: How to Download Ubuntu
- 1 Open the Ubuntu website. Go to https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop in your computer's web browser. You can download the Ubuntu disk image (ISO file) here.
- 2 Scroll down to the latest version of Ubuntu. You will find it at the bottom of the page.
- 3 Click on Download (Download). It's a green button to the right of your selected Ubuntu version. A new page will open.
- 4 Scroll down and tap Not now, take me to the download (Not now, start downloading). This link is in the bottom left corner of the page.
- 5 Make sure to start downloading the ISO file. Otherwise, click on the Download now link at the top of the page. While the ISO file is downloading, create and configure a virtual machine in VirtualBox.
Part 2 of 4: How to create a virtual machine
- 1 Install VirtualBox. Do this if your computer (Windows or Mac OS X) does not have this program.
- 2 Start VirtualBox. Double-click (or single-click on a Mac) the VirtualBox icon.
- 3 Click on Create. It's a blue icon in the upper left corner of the VirtualBox window. A pop-up menu will open.
- 4 Enter a name for the virtual machine. Enter any name (for example, Ubuntu) in the Name text box at the top of the pop-up menu.
- 5 Select "Linux" from the "Type" menu. Open this menu and select "Linux".
- 6 Select "Ubuntu" from the "Version" menu. In this menu, the "Ubuntu" option should appear by default when you select "Linux" from the "Type" menu; otherwise, open the Version menu and click Ubuntu (64-bit).
- 7 Click on Further. This button is at the bottom of the menu.
- 8 Specify the size of the RAM. Drag the slider left or right to decrease or increase the amount of RAM that will be used by the Ubuntu virtual machine.
- By default, the optimal amount of RAM will be selected.
- Don't drag the slider over the red area - make sure the selected value is within the green area.
- 9 Click on Further. This button is at the bottom of the menu.
- 10 Create a virtual hard disk for the virtual machine. A virtual hard disk is a partition on a computer's hard disk that will be used to store files and programs in a virtual machine:
- click "Create";
- click "Next";
- click "Next";
- specify the capacity of the virtual hard disk;
- click "Create".
- 11 Check if the Ubuntu image has downloaded. If so, install this system in VirtualBox.
Part 3 of 4: How to Install Ubuntu
- 1 Double click on the name of the created virtual machine. It's on the left side of the VirtualBox window. A menu will open.
- 2 Click the folder-shaped icon. It's in the lower right side of the menu. A new window will open where you can select the downloaded ISO file.
- 3 Select the ISO file. Go to the folder with the downloaded file and click on it.
- 4 Click on Open. It's in the lower-right corner of the window. The ISO file will open in VirtualBox.
- 5 Click on Run. It's near the bottom of the menu. The Ubuntu installer will launch.
- 6 Click on Install Ubuntu. It's on the right side of the VirtualBox window.
- 7 Check the boxes for both options in the Preparing to Install Ubuntu window. This will install the full version of Ubuntu.
- 8 Click on Proceed. It's in the bottom-right corner of the page.
- 9 Check the box next to Erase Disk and Install Ubuntu. Don't worry - the information stored on your computer's hard drive will not be damaged.
- 10 Click on Install. It's in the lower-right corner of the page.
- 11 Click on Proceedwhen prompted. This will confirm that the virtual disk will be cleaned up (there is nothing on it anyway); The Ubuntu installation process starts.
Part 4 of 4: How to set up Ubuntu
- 1 Select your time zone. On the map, click on the time zone in which you are located.
- 2 Click on Proceed. It's in the bottom-right corner of the page.
- 3 Activate the onscreen keyboard. Click the person-shaped icon in the upper-right side of the window, and then click the On-Screen Keyboard switch to open it. You need drivers to use a physical keyboard, so you won't be able to use it until you've configured Ubuntu.
- 4 Please enter your name. Do this in the Name text box at the top of the window.
- When you enter a name, a computer name in the virtual machine will be automatically created; if you want to change the computer name, enter it in the Computer Name field.
- 5 Enter your username. Do this in the Username text box.
- 6 Create a password. Enter your password in the Password text box, and then enter it again in the Confirm Password text box.
- 7 Click on Proceed. This button is at the bottom of the page.
- If necessary, change your login settings below the Confirm Password text box.
- 8 Wait for the Ubuntu installation to complete. This will take from a few minutes to half an hour, depending on the speed of the computer.
- The whole process will take place automatically, that is, your participation is not required.
- 9 Restart the virtual machine. When the "Restart Now" button appears on the screen, do the following: click "Exit" in the upper right (Windows) or upper left (Mac) corner of the window, check the box next to "Turn off the machine", click "OK", and then double-click by the name of the virtual machine.
- 10 Log in to the virtual system. When the virtual machine starts, choose your name, enter your password and click Login. Ubuntu will run in a virtual machine, but you can work with this system like a regular (non-virtual) system.
Tips
- You can install programs on a virtual system, but remember that the capacity of a virtual hard disk is limited.
Warnings
- The virtual system will not run very fast, but that's okay, because you are actually running two operating systems on the same computer.
- Make sure the physical hard disk has enough space to create the virtual hard disk. For example, if VirtualBox prompts you to create an 8 GB virtual hard disk, make sure the free space on the physical hard disk is greater than 8 GB.