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
Step 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.
Step 2. Scroll down to the latest version of Ubuntu
You will find it at the bottom of the page.
Step 3. Click Download
It's a green button to the right of your selected Ubuntu version. A new page will open.
Step 4. Scroll down and click Not now, take me to the download
This link is in the bottom left corner of the page.
Step 5. Make sure the ISO file download has started
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
Step 1. Install VirtualBox
Do this if your computer (Windows or Mac OS X) does not have this program.
Step 2. Start VirtualBox
Double-click (or single-click on a Mac) the VirtualBox icon.
Step 3. Click Create
It's a blue icon in the upper left corner of the VirtualBox window. A pop-up menu will open.
Step 4. Enter a name for the virtual machine
Enter any name (eg Ubuntu) in the Name text box at the top of the pop-up menu.
Step 5. Select "Linux" from the "Type" menu
Open this menu and select "Linux".
Step 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).
Step 7. Click Next
This button is at the bottom of the menu.
Step 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.
Step 9. Click Next
This button is at the bottom of the menu.
Step 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".
Step 11. Check if the Ubuntu image has been downloaded
If so, install this system in VirtualBox.
Part 3 of 4: How to Install Ubuntu
Step 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.
Step 2. Click on the folder icon
It's in the lower right side of the menu. A new window will open where you can select the downloaded ISO file.
Step 3. Select the ISO file
Go to the folder with the downloaded file and click on it.
Step 4. Click Open
It's in the lower-right corner of the window. The ISO file will open in VirtualBox.
Step 5. Click Run
It's near the bottom of the menu. The Ubuntu installer will launch.
Step 6. Click Install Ubuntu
It's on the right side of the VirtualBox window.
Step 7. Check the boxes for both options in the Prepare to Install Ubuntu window
This will install the full version of Ubuntu.
Step 8. Click Continue
It's in the bottom-right corner of the page.
Step 9. Check the box next to the "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" option
Don't worry - the information stored on your computer's hard drive will not be damaged.
Step 10. Click Install
It's in the lower-right corner of the page.
Step 11. Click Continue when 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
Step 1. Select your time zone
On the map, click on the time zone in which you are located.
Step 2. Click Continue
It's in the bottom-right corner of the page.
Step 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.
Step 4. 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
Step 5. Enter your username
Do this in the "Username" text box.
Step 6. Create a password
Enter your password in the Password text box, and then enter it again in the Confirm Password text box.
Step 7. Click Continue
This button is at the bottom of the page.
If necessary, change your login settings below the Confirm Password text box
Step 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
Step 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.
Step 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.
Advice
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.