This article shows how to install Ubuntu, a Linux distribution, on a computer using a virtual machine created via VirtualBox. The latter is a program that allows you to install multiple operating systems on the same computer, without however having the need to change the configuration of the main operating system.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Download Ubuntu
Step 1. Log in to the Ubuntu website
Launch your computer's internet browser and use it to access the following URL. This way you will be able to download the Ubuntu installation disc ISO file.
Step 2. Scroll the page that appeared to be able to locate and select the latest version available
It is visible at the bottom of the page.
Step 3. Press the Download button
It is green in color and is located to the right of the selected Ubuntu version name. You will be redirected to the page to make a financial donation to support the Ubuntu developer community.
Step 4. Scroll down the page to select the Not now, take me to the download link
It is located in the lower left corner of the appeared page.
Step 5. Verify that the Ubuntu installation file download has started successfully
Saving the ISO file to your computer should start immediately, but if not, select the link download now visible at the top of the page. While the file download is in progress, you can take advantage of the wait to create and configure a new virtual machine using VirtualBox.
Part 2 of 4: Creating a Virtual Machine
Step 1. Install VirtualBox if you haven't already
If you have not yet installed VirtualBox on your computer (Windows or Mac), you will need to do so now in order to proceed further.
Step 2. Start the VirtualBox program
Double-click its icon (if you are using a Mac you will need to select it with a single click).
Step 3. Press the New button
It is blue in color and is located in the upper left corner of the program window. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 4. Name the new virtual spot
Type the name you want to assign to the new machine you are creating using the "Name" text field located at the top of the popup window that appears. In this case it might be appropriate to use the name Ubuntu.
Step 5. Select the "Linux" option from the "Type" drop-down menu
Access the latter and choose the item Linux from the list of available operating systems.
Step 6. Choose the "Ubuntu" option from the "Version" drop-down menu
After selecting "Linux" from the "Type" menu, the "Ubuntu" value should be set automatically. If not, access the "Version" menu and choose the item Ubuntu (64-bit).
Step 7. Press the Next button
It is visible at the bottom of the dialog box.
Step 8. Select the amount of RAM to dedicate to the virtual machine
Select the appropriate slider that appeared on the screen and drag it to the right or left respectively to increase or decrease the amount of RAM that will be made available to Ubuntu.
- As soon as you reach the screen under consideration, the recommended amount of RAM for the virtual machine being created will be automatically selected.
- Make sure you don't move the RAM slider into the red zone. Try to keep it in the green zone.
Step 9. Press the Next button
It is visible at the bottom of the dialog box.
Step 10. Create the virtual hard disk to be assigned to the new Linux machine
The virtual hard disk will be represented by a file stored on the computer disk and will have a predetermined size, based on the settings you select. It will store the files and programs related to the virtual machine:
- Push the button Create;
- Push the button Come on;
- Press the button again Come on;
- Select the amount of free space to assign to the virtual disk;
- Finally press the button Create.
Step 11. At this point make sure or wait until the Ubuntu installation file download is complete
At the end of this step you can proceed to install the Linux operating system on the virtual machine you just created.
Part 3 of 4: Install Ubuntu
Step 1. Double-click the name of the virtual machine you just created
It is located on the left side of the VirtualBox window. A small menu will appear.
Step 2. Click the folder icon
It is located in the lower right part of the menu that appeared. This will bring up a new window from where you can select the Ubuntu ISO file.
Step 3. Select the installation file
Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the Ubuntu image file (for example the Desktop), then click the ISO file icon to select it.
Step 4. Press the Open button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window. The Ubuntu installation file will be loaded inside VirtualBox.
Step 5. Press the Start button
It is located at the bottom of the menu. The virtual machine will start and consequently the Ubuntu installation will start as well.
Step 6. Press the Install Ubuntu button
It is located on the right side of the VirtualBox program window.
Step 7. Select both check buttons visible within the "Preparing to Install Ubuntu" screen
This way you can be sure that all the components necessary for Ubuntu to run correctly will be installed on the virtual machine.
Step 8. Press the Continue button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 9. Select the "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" checkbox
It may seem like a dangerous choice for the integrity of the system, but there is nothing to worry about: no files on the physical disk of the computer will be erased.
Step 10. Press the Install button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 11. When prompted, press the Continue button
This will confirm that you want to format the virtual hard disk of the Linux virtual machine (which however does not contain any data) and proceed with the installation of Ubuntu.
Part 4 of 4: Setting up Ubuntu
Step 1. Select your system time zone
Click the section of the map that corresponds to the geographical area in which you reside.
Step 2. Press the Continue button
It is located in the lower right corner of the page.
Step 3. Activate the use of the virtual keyboard
Click the icon in the shape of a stylized human silhouette in the upper right corner of the window, then choose the "On Screen Keyboard" option to display the virtual keyboard on the screen. Since additional drivers need to be installed before Ubuntu can use the computer keyboard as an input device, a step that will only be completed at the end of the installation, you will not be able to use this tool at these stages of the procedure, but you will have to use the virtual keyboard. by Ubuntu.
Step 4. Enter your name
Use the "Your Name" text field visible at the top of the window.
The name entered will also be used as the name of the Linux machine, but if you want to use a different one you can type it in the "Your computer name" field
Step 5. Enter your account username
Type it in the "Choose a username" text field.
Step 6. Create the account login password
Type in the text field "Choose a password", then enter it a second time, to confirm it is correct, using the text field "Confirm password".
Step 7. Press the Continue button
It is located at the bottom of the page.
Before you can proceed any further, you will need to choose the type of login by selecting one of the options visible below the "Confirm password" text field
Step 8. Wait for the Ubuntu installation to finish
This step may take a few minutes to half an hour to complete, depending on the computing power of your computer.
During the installation phase of the Ubuntu files on the computer you will not have to perform any operations
Step 9. Restart the virtual machine
When you see the button appear on the screen Restart now follow these instructions: press the button Go out visible in the upper right corner of the window (on Windows systems) or upper left (on Mac), select the check button "Turn off the virtual machine", press the button OK, then double-click the name of the virtual machine.
Step 10. Log into Ubuntu
At the end of the Ubuntu virtual machine boot phase, select your username, type in the corresponding login password, then press the button Log in. At this point the Ubuntu desktop will appear and you can start using your new Linux computer.
Advice
Inside the virtual machine in use you can install programs and applications just as if it were a normal computer. However, you will need to be careful that this does not exhaust the free space reserved for the machine's virtual hard disk
Warnings
- If the virtual machine created with VirtualBox is slow in responding to commands and performing normal functions, don't worry it's a completely normal thing, since two different operating systems are running on the same computer at the same time.
- Make sure there is enough free space on your computer hard drive to create a virtual hard drive to associate with the Linux machine you are going to create. For example, if VirtualBox recommends that you create an 8GB virtual hard drive, you need to be sure that there is more than 8GB of free space on your computer's physical hard drive.
