How to install Linux Distro using VirtualBox

 Dowloading and Installing Linux Distro inside Windows using VirtualBox

Step 1: Download and install VirtualBox

Go to the website of Oracle VirtualBox and get the latest stable version from there. Make sure to read and follow all instructions before downloading it.

Download 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.

 Step 2: Download the Linux ISO

Next, you need to download the ISO file of the Linux distribution. I am using Ubuntu 20.04.2.0 LTS in this example, and you can download Ubuntu from the link below:

Download Ubuntu Linux

 Step 3: Install Linux using VirtualBox

Now that 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 button. Give the virtual OS a relevant name. I will be using ubuntu21.

Allocate RAM to the virtual OS.

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 specific. Other Linux distributions may have slightly different looking steps, but it won’t be complicated at all. Click on install ubuntu.

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.

Self explanatory.

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.

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.