There are many ways to install ubuntu on your PC or laptop. You can either have a clean install on your system or dual boot with any other operating system (OS). But in this article, I am going to show how to install Ubuntu in Windows 10 using VirtualBox in 2021. But before that here’s the few things you should know.
What is VirtualBox?
Oracle VM VirtualBox is a free virtualization application program, developed by the Oracle Corporation. You can use this software on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris. For example, you can run Windows on Mac or Linux on Windows while running your existing OS.
What is the system requirement for installing Ubuntu on VirtualBox in Windows 10?
- 2 GHz dual-core processor or better
- Windows system with 4 GB RAM
- Windows system with a minimum of 15 GB free storage
Can I install Ubuntu in VirtualBox on other Windows versions?
Yes, you can install Ubuntu in VirtualBox on Windows 8, 8.1, and 7. In the past, I have not only installed Ubuntu but also Windows XP, 7, and Fedora on my Windows system.
How to Install Ubuntu on VirtualBox in Windows 10 (2021)
- Download Oracle VirtualBox
- Download Ubuntu OS ISO file
- Open VirtualBox
- Setup VirtualBox
- Insert the Ubuntu ISO file
- Select the Ubuntu OS file
- Setup Ubuntu OS
- Restart Ubuntu after Installation
- Remove Ubuntu ISO file
- Welcome to Ubuntu
- How to make Ubuntu full screen in VirtualBox
Step 1: Download Oracle VirtualBox
Download Oracle VirtualBox from their official website and install it on your Windows 10 PC/Laptop.
Step 2: Download Ubuntu OS ISO file
Download Ubuntu OS ISO file from its official website.
ALSO READ: How to Install Google Chrome on Ubuntu OS
Step 3: Open VirtualBox
Now open VirtualBox and Click on New button.
Step 4: Setup VirtualBox
Give your virtual OS a relevant name. In my case, I am naming it Ubuntu.
Next, you need to allocate the RAM size, I will allocate 2 GB of RAM but if you want, you can increase the RAM size as per your requirement.
Here I will go with the default hard disk set that is “create a virtual hard disk now” and click on Create.
Here also I will go with a default setting that is VDI and click on next.
Here you can either choose dynamically allocated or fixed size, both are excellent options. But I will go with Dynamically allocated.
Now you have to select the size of the virtual hard disk. I will allocate 20 GB but you can choose whatever size you want, just make sure it’s more than 15 GB.
Step 5: Insert the Ubuntu ISO file
Now select the newly created virtual os i.e. Ubuntu and click on Settings.
Now go to Storage. Click on empty which is under the Controller: IDE.
Next, click on the CD icon and click on the option “choose a disk file”.
Now go to the location where you have downloaded ubuntu and select the Ubuntu ISO file and click the OK button.
Step 6: Select the Ubuntu OS file
Now select the Ubuntu OS and click on the Start button.
Next, select the optical disk that is the ubuntu ISO file and click on the Start button.
Step 7: Setup Ubuntu OS
Now select your preferred language and click on the Install Ubuntu button.
Next, select the Keyboard layout, here I am choosing English US. You can select any other layout which you are using right now on your Windows 10 PC or laptop.
In the next window, you will see several options, here I will also check the “install third-party software” and click on the continue button.
Here in the installation type window, keep the default setting as it is and click on Install now button.
Here you will just receive a warning, which says if you continue the changes listed below will be written to the disks. I will just click on the continue button.
In the next step, select your location and click on continue.
Now the last thing you have to do is enter your name, computer name, username, and password and click on the continue button.
And finally, the Ubuntu OS installation process will begin. Now you don’t have to do anything, sit back and relax and wait for the completion of installation. It will take more than 30 minutes to install ubuntu on the VirtualBox.
Step 8: Restart Ubuntu after Installation
After installation is complete, click on restart now.
Step 9: Remove Ubuntu ISO file
Now make sure the downloaded ubuntu os ISO file is removed or else you might see errors. So make sure the CD is removed from the VirtualBox. In case you are seeing errors after installing you can simply close the VirtualBox and start again.
Step 10: Welcome to Ubuntu
Now enter the password which you created during installation setup and you will be logged into Ubuntu desktop.
ALSO READ: How to Install Linux Mint on VirtualBox in Windows 10
How to make Ubuntu full screen in VirtualBox
Now when you click on the maximize button as you can see the ubuntu interface is not maximizing.
So what you have to do is:
Click on devices and click on insert guest additions cd image.
Now enter the password and click on authenticate.
Next, wait for the installation to complete.
Now just restart the Ubuntu operating system and you can use the Ubuntu in maximize or fullscreen mode.
Well, that’s the end of our guide. I hope this article will help you install Ubuntu on VirtualBox in Windows 10.
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Thanks for the tutorial! I followed every step, adjusting the RAM size to 8GB and storage size to 100GB, but the installation was unable to launch the VM and complete installation, freezing at a black screen with the ubuntu logo and the loading icon. I’ve tried the clean installation twice today with different memory sizes and it’s still unable to complete. I need to use ubuntu for a university project, so was hoping to get this set up asap. Do you have any suggestions? I’ve been scouring the web and tried escaping to grub and doing an install with safe graphics but that also broke. Any advice would be appreciated!
You must be doing something wrong or there might be a system issue somewhere. In my university days also I needed Ubuntu so I watched the setup guide from YouTube.