How to install Ubuntu in Virtual Box on Windows Host

Install Ubuntu on VirtualBox and Steps to Install VirtualBox Guest Additions on Ubuntu

Ubuntu 11.10 is the latest Linux release with some additional features and improvement. With the help of desktop virtualization software, this guide shows how to install Ubuntu 11.10 on VirtualBox and install working VirtualBox guest additions.

This document does not cover details about VirtualBox and Ubuntu, but it might help while installing it.

Install VirtualBox:

Download proper release of VirtualBox from https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads(depends on platform).

Install VirtualBox and follow instructions

Creating virtual hard drive:

To create a new virtual hard drive for Ubuntu, either click New on toolbar or Machine -> New or press Ctrl+N.

Provide a name to virtual machine and choose Operating system -> Linux

Version -> Ubuntu as shown in below screenshot.

Select “Next”

Provide how much memory you want to give to virtual machine. Recommended memory is 512 MB, to speed it up you can provide more memory (example 1024 MB (1GB RAM) as show below.

Follow “Next” to create new virtual hard drive. In our case it is a fresh install thus we need to create a new hard drive otherwise you can use the existing hard drive if already created.

Follow “Next”

Now it prompts for format of virtual hard disk, go with default setting.

Follow “Next”

Virtual Disk storage details: Choose any type you want from Dynamic or Fixed size. I would suggest choosing fixed size as it is often faster to use.

Follow “Next”

Virtual Disk file location and size: Location of the virtual disk can be changed by browsing for a new location. Recommend size is 8GB for virtual drive, but increase it if you are planning to use it to store media and other large files.

Once all entries filled properly, forward next and create the hard drive when prompted.

Virtual hard drive creation time depends on dynamic or fixed size storage. Once hard drive will be created, virtual machine will be visible in Navigation pane as shown below.

Ubuntu Linux Installation:

Download proper release version of Ubuntu from Ubuntu website. Skip if already done.

Select virtual machine from Navigation pane and start.

It will start “First Run Wizard”. Follow “Next” and browse to path for downloaded “iso” file which contains Ubuntu installation and follow instructions.

Follow “Next” and “Start”

Select language and “Install Ubuntu” (select default configurations)

While installing Ubuntu, provide machine name, username/password you want to keep for this machine.

These credentials will be used while logging on to this system in future.

Installation takes a bit time, wait until it completes installation. Upon finishing installation restart the machine and login with same credentials used at the time of installation.

Hurrah! Ubuntu is installed and ready to use.

Guest Addition Installation on Ubuntu:

Select Devices -> Install Guest Additions. It will ask for what to do. Select “Autorun prompt” and “OK”.

Further select “Run”. It will ask for password. Enter password and authenticate.

Upon finishing the installation, restart Ubuntu using Shutdown -> Restart option on top right as shown below.

After successful installation of guest additions, Ubuntu can be run on full screen mode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

·         Why do I need to install guest additions?

Ans: To run Ubuntu in full screen mode, to access shared folder from host machine in guest machine.

·         I am not being able to run Ubuntu in full screen.

Ans: Check if you have installed Virtual Box Guest Additions for Ubuntu. Try reinstalling it, if already installed, reboot the machine. Try restart of both host and guest machines.

·         Internet is not running on my Ubuntu virtual machine.

Ans: Select Virtual machine from Navigation pane and select setting. Go to Network -> Adapter1, enable Network adapter and select “NAT”/”Bridged Adapter” to run the internet.