Install Ubuntu On Windows 10 Using VirtualBox: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Install Ubuntu on Windows 10 using VirtualBox: A Step-by-Step Guide

So, you want to run Ubuntu on your Windows 10 machine, huh? Awesome! Using VirtualBox is a fantastic way to do it. It lets you explore Linux without messing with your main operating system. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, making it super easy to get Ubuntu up and running in VirtualBox. Let's dive in!

Why Use VirtualBox for Ubuntu?

Before we jump into the how-to, let's quickly cover why VirtualBox is a great choice:

  • It's Free: Yep, VirtualBox is totally free to use, which is always a plus.
  • Safe Exploration: You can experiment with Ubuntu and Linux without worrying about damaging your Windows installation. It's like having a sandbox for your operating system adventures.
  • Easy to Set Up: Despite sounding technical, VirtualBox is actually quite user-friendly, especially with this guide.
  • Resource Management: You can control how much of your computer's resources (like RAM and CPU) Ubuntu can use, ensuring it doesn't hog everything.

Prerequisites

Before we start, make sure you have the following:

  • VirtualBox: Download and install the latest version from the official VirtualBox website. https://www.virtualbox.org/
  • Ubuntu ISO File: Download the Ubuntu ISO image from the official Ubuntu website. Choose the desktop version. https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop
  • A Computer Running Windows 10: Obviously!
  • Some Disk Space: Ensure you have at least 20GB of free disk space for the Ubuntu virtual machine.

Step-by-Step: Installing Ubuntu on VirtualBox

Alright, let's get down to business! Follow these steps carefully:

1. Install VirtualBox

First things first, if you haven't already, download VirtualBox from the official website (https://www.virtualbox.org/) and install it. The installation process is pretty straightforward, just follow the on-screen prompts. Make sure you download the version for Windows hosts. Once installed, launch VirtualBox. You should see a window like this:

VirtualBox Main Window

2. Create a New Virtual Machine

  • Click on the "New" button in the VirtualBox window. This will open the "Create Virtual Machine" wizard.
  • Name and Operating System:
    • Enter a name for your virtual machine (e.g., "Ubuntu 22.04").
    • Select "Linux" as the type.
    • Choose "Ubuntu (64-bit)" as the version. If you downloaded a 32-bit version, select that instead.
  • Click "Next".

Create New VM Window

3. Allocate Memory Size

This step is crucial. The amount of RAM you allocate to the virtual machine will impact its performance. A good rule of thumb is to allocate at least 2GB (2048 MB) of RAM. However, if you have plenty of RAM (8GB or more) on your host machine, you can allocate 4GB (4096 MB) for better performance. Just don't allocate more than half of your host machine's RAM.

  • Adjust the slider or enter the amount of RAM in MB.
  • Click "Next".

Memory Allocation

4. Hard Disk Setup

Here, you'll create a virtual hard disk for Ubuntu. This is where Ubuntu will be installed and where it will store its files. We recommend creating a new virtual hard disk.

  • Select "Create a virtual hard disk now".
  • Click "Create".

Hard Disk Options

5. Hard Disk File Type

Choose the hard disk file type. VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) is the default and works perfectly fine. Unless you have a specific reason to choose another format, stick with VDI.

  • Select "VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)".
  • Click "Next".

Hard Disk File Type

6. Storage on Physical Hard Disk

This is about how the virtual hard disk will grow. Dynamically allocated means the virtual hard disk file will only take up as much space as it needs, up to the maximum size you specify later. Fixed size means it will allocate the entire space right away. Dynamically allocated is generally preferred because it saves space on your host machine.

  • Select "Dynamically allocated".
  • Click "Next".

Storage on Physical Hard Disk

7. File Location and Size

Now, you need to specify where the virtual hard disk file will be stored and how big it should be. 20GB is usually sufficient for a basic Ubuntu installation. If you plan to install a lot of software or store large files, you might want to increase this size.

  • Choose a location for the virtual hard disk file. The default is usually fine.
  • Enter the size of the virtual hard disk (e.g., 20.00 GB).
  • Click "Create".

File Location and Size

8. Start the Virtual Machine

Your virtual machine is now created! It's time to start it up and install Ubuntu.

  • Select your newly created virtual machine in the VirtualBox window.
  • Click the "Start" button.

Start VM

9. Select Start-up Disk

VirtualBox will now ask you to select a start-up disk. This is where you'll point it to the Ubuntu ISO file you downloaded earlier.

  • Click the folder icon next to the dropdown menu.
  • Navigate to the location where you saved the Ubuntu ISO file.
  • Select the ISO file and click "Open".
  • Click "Start".

Select Startup Disk

10. Ubuntu Installation

The virtual machine will now boot from the Ubuntu ISO file, and you'll see the Ubuntu installer. Follow these steps:

  • Choose Language: Select your preferred language and click "Install Ubuntu".

Ubuntu Install 1

  • Keyboard Layout: Choose your keyboard layout and click "Continue".

Ubuntu Install 2

  • Updates and Other Software:
    • You can choose to download updates while installing Ubuntu.
    • You can also choose to install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware. This is usually a good idea.
    • Click "Continue".

Ubuntu Install 3

  • Installation Type:
    • Select "Erase disk and install Ubuntu". Don't worry, this will only erase the virtual hard disk you created earlier, not your actual hard drive.
    • Click "Install Now".
    • A confirmation dialog will appear. Click "Continue".

Ubuntu Install 4

  • Location: Select your time zone and click "Continue".

Ubuntu Install 5

  • Who are you?: Enter your name, computer's name, username, and password. Choose whether you want to log in automatically or require a password. Click "Continue".

Ubuntu Install 6

11. Wait for Installation to Complete

Ubuntu will now install. This process may take some time, depending on your computer's speed. Grab a coffee and be patient.

Ubuntu Install 7

12. Restart

Once the installation is complete, you'll be prompted to restart the virtual machine. Click "Restart Now".

Ubuntu Install 8

13. Remove Installation Medium

After the restart, Ubuntu might prompt you to remove the installation medium. You can do this by:

  • Right-clicking on the CD-ROM icon in the bottom right corner of the VirtualBox window.
  • Selecting "Remove disk from virtual drive".
  • Pressing Enter.

Post-Installation Steps

Congratulations! You've successfully installed Ubuntu on VirtualBox. Here are a few things you might want to do next:

Install Guest Additions

Installing Guest Additions improves the performance and usability of the virtual machine. It allows for features like shared folders, shared clipboard, and better graphics support.

  • In the VirtualBox window, go to "Devices" -> "Insert Guest Additions CD image…".
  • Ubuntu will detect the CD and ask if you want to run the installer. Click "Run".
  • Enter your password if prompted.
  • The Guest Additions will install. Restart the virtual machine after the installation is complete.

Update Ubuntu

It's always a good idea to update your system after a fresh installation.

  • Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T).
  • Run the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Explore Ubuntu

Now that you have Ubuntu up and running, explore the desktop environment, install software, and customize it to your liking. The possibilities are endless!

Troubleshooting

Here are a few common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:

  • Slow Performance: Make sure you've allocated enough RAM to the virtual machine. Close unnecessary applications on your host machine.
  • Graphics Issues: Install Guest Additions. Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date on your host machine.
  • Network Issues: Check your network settings in VirtualBox. Make sure the virtual machine is configured to use a bridged adapter or NAT.

Conclusion

And there you have it! You've successfully installed Ubuntu on Windows 10 using VirtualBox. This opens up a world of possibilities for exploring Linux and experimenting with different software. Have fun exploring! If you followed this guide, you should now have a fully functional Ubuntu environment ready for you to play around with. Remember to keep your system updated and explore all the features Ubuntu has to offer. Good luck, and happy virtualizing!