This article will show you how to install and use VirtualBox on a Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux computer. VirtualBox is a program for creating a virtual machine (computer) on which you can install and use different operating systems (for example, Windows 7); thus, there is no need to change the actual operating system of your computer.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: On Windows
Step 1. Open the VirtualBox website
Go to https://www.virtualbox.org/ in your computer's web browser. You can download the VirtualBox installation file from this site.
Step 2. Click Download VirtualBox
It's a blue button in the middle of the page. A new page will open.
Step 3. Click on Windows hosts
You will find this link under VirtualBox 5.2.20 platform packages. The VirtualBox.exe file will download to your computer.
Step 4. Open the downloaded file
Navigate to the folder with the downloaded EXE file and double-click on it. The VirtualBox installer window will open.
Step 5. Follow the instructions on the screen
Follow these steps:
- Click Next on the first three pages.
- Click on “Yes” when prompted.
- Click Install.
- Click on “Yes” when prompted.
Step 6. Click Install when prompted
The VirtualBox installation will begin.
Step 7. Click Finish when prompted
This button is in the lower right corner. The installer window will close and VirtualBox will launch. Now that you have installed and launched VirtualBox, you can create a virtual machine to install any operating system on it.
First, make sure the Start option is checked
Part 2 of 4: On Mac OS X
Step 1. Open the VirtualBox website
Go to https://www.virtualbox.org/ in your computer's web browser. You can download the VirtualBox installation file from this site.
Step 2. Click Download VirtualBox
It's a blue button in the middle of the page. A new page will open.
Step 3. Click on OS X hosts
You will find this link under VirtualBox 5.2.20 platform packages. The VirtualBox.dmg file will download to your computer.
Step 4. Open the downloaded DMG file
To do this, double click on it.
Step 5. Double click on the VirtualBox.pkg file
It is marked with a window-like icon and is located in the upper left corner. The VirtualBox installer window will open.
Step 6. Follow the instructions on the screen
Click “Continue” when prompted, then follow these steps:
- Click “Continue” in the lower right corner of the window.
- Click “Install” in the lower right corner of the window.
- Enter your Mac user password when prompted.
- Click Install Software.
Step 7. Wait for the installation to complete
When the Close button appears in the lower right corner, assume VirtualBox has been successfully installed.
Step 8. Start VirtualBox
Click Spotlight
, enter virtualbox and double-click on "VirtualBox" in the menu that opens. Now that you have installed and launched VirtualBox, you can create a virtual machine to install any operating system on it.
Part 3 of 4: On Linux
Step 1. Open a terminal
Your actions depend on the Linux distribution, but in most cases open the main menu and select "Terminal"
Alternatively, you can press Alt + Ctrl + T to open a terminal
Step 2. Enter the installation command
Type sudo apt-get install virtualbox and press ↵ Enter.
Step 3. Enter your password when prompted
Enter the password you use to log in, then press ↵ Enter.
Step 4. Confirm the installation
Type y in the window that opens, then press ↵ Enter.
Step 5. Wait for the installation to complete
It will take a few minutes. When the terminal displays your username on a new line, assume that VirtualBox has been successfully installed.
Step 6. Start VirtualBox
Type virtualbox and press ↵ Enter. Now that you have installed and launched VirtualBox, you can create a virtual machine to install any operating system on it.
Part 4 of 4: How to Create a Virtual Machine
Step 1. Find the installation disc (s) or files
When creating a new virtual machine, you need to install the operating system - this process is similar to installing the system on a regular (physical) computer. That is, you will need the installation disc (s) with the desired operating system.
The system can also be installed using an ISO file
Step 2. Click Create
The New Virtual Machine Wizard will open.
Step 3. Identify the operating system
In the first window of the wizard, enter the name of the new virtual machine, and also select which operating system will be installed. Select your operating system type from the Type menu, and then select your system version from the Version menu.
- For example, if you are installing Windows 7, choose Microsoft Windows from the Type menu, and then click Windows 7 from the Version menu.
- If you are installing a 64-bit version of the operating system, make sure you select 64-bit from the Version menu.
Step 4. Click Next
This button is at the bottom of the window.
Step 5. Specify the amount of random access memory (RAM)
You need to specify how much RAM on your computer will be allocated to the virtual machine. VirtualBox will automatically indicate the recommended minimum size for the selected system, but this value can be increased or decreased (if desired).
- The maximum amount of RAM does not exceed the amount of RAM you have on your computer.
- We do not recommend choosing the maximum amount of RAM, since in this case there will not be enough RAM to operate the main computer system when the virtual machine is started.
Step 6. Click Next
Step 7. Create a virtual hard disk
Select the virtual hard disk option, click Create, click on the prompts and click Create again. A virtual hard disk is required to install the operating system and programs.
- The virtual hard disk must have sufficient capacity to install the operating system. Check the specifications of your operating system to find out how much space it will take on your hard drive.
- Remember that if you are going to install programs, they will also take up space on the virtual hard disk, so specify the appropriate disk size.
- The most common virtual hard disk format is VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image).
Step 8. Start the installation of the operating system
Once the virtual machine is created, the wizard will close and you will return to the main VirtualBox window. Double-click the created machine in the left pane, and then do one of the following:
- If you are installing from a CD-ROM, insert it into your computer, click on the "Main Drive" menu and select the letter of your optical drive.
- If the system is installed using an ISO file, click on the folder-shaped icon to find the file.
Step 9. Click Run
This button is at the bottom of the window. VirtualBox start reading CD or ISO file.
Step 10. Install the operating system
When you select the CD or ISO file, the installation of the operating system will begin. This process is no different from installing an operating system on a regular (physical) computer. Detailed instructions on how to install the system can be found at the following links:
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP
- Mac OS X
- Linux Mint
- Linux Ubuntu
Step 11. Power on the virtual machine
Once the operating system installation is complete, the virtual machine is ready to go. To enable it, double-click on its name in the left pane of the main VirtualBox window. The virtual machine turns on and loads the operating system you installed.
The virtual machine will run in windowed mode. Once you move your mouse over the virtual machine window, any keystrokes or mouse clicks will take effect in the virtual machine and not on your (physical) computer
Step 12. Turn off the virtual machine
To do this, you can choose one of several options, and each of them will affect the car in its own way. Click the "X" in the upper right corner of the window to display the following options:
- Save machine state: The virtual machine will be saved in the state it was in before shutting down. Any programs running will be saved in their current state and everything will be restored when the machine is restarted.
- Send shutdown signal: A signal will be sent to shutdown the virtual machine - it will shut down as if you had pressed the power button on a physical computer.
- Turn off the car: The machine will turn off as if it were disconnected from the power source. Nothing will be saved.
Step 13. Take snapshots of the virtual machine
VirtualBox allows you to take snapshots of the state of the virtual machine so that you can return that state. This is very useful if you are testing software or other configurations.
- To take a snapshot, open the Machine menu and select Take Snapshot. The snapshot will be added to the list of virtual machines on the left pane of the main VirtualBox window.
- To open a snapshot, right-click on it and select "Restore" from the menu. In this case, any changes made to the VHD since the snapshot was taken will be lost.