How to Run Linux or Unix on Windows 10 with VirtualBox

As a student of computer science student, I was always happy to own a Windows laptop. In my third year of engineering, I had to practice Linux commands for Operating systems practical as mentioned in the academic curriculum. When I talked to my laptop vendor, I got two options either uninstall Windows and Install Linux or Install Linux in dual booting. But I was not happy to implement any of these two solutions. I explored and found that I can use VirtualBox on my Windows laptop and run all the Linux commands but only at the command line. That’s a relief to hear. So here is the list of steps you need to follow if you too need to Run Linux or Unix commands in Windows with VirtualBox.

What is VirtualBox?

VirtualBox is an open-source virtualization tool developed by Oracle that can be used for personal or professional assignments. It is a good solution for those people who need to install and run multiple operating systems on one machine.

Step1:  Install Oracle VM VirtualBox

To install and use VirtualBox, first ensure that your system has at least 4GB RAM for an efficient virtualization solution. Now download the installation file from Downloads and save it to the local storage drive.

Double-click the downloaded file and execute the file to run it.

Follow the installation process by pressing the Next Buttons on screens appearing on your screen. Wait until the installation is completed. Press Finish to complete the setup process.

Now launch the Oracle VM VirtualBox manager. Here you can install the OS you need to run. We will show you it with Ubuntu.

Step2: Install Linux

The second step is to download Linux ISO files from a reliable source. I downloaded the Linux ISO file from Ubuntu’s official site at https://www.ubuntu.com/desktop.

To create a Virtual Machine with Ubuntu as OS you have to install it in the Oracle Virtual box. Press Ctrl+N or select the New from Machine option or press New Icon on the manager. Enter the name of the Operating System, Destination folder in your computer; Select the type of Operating system and its version in this dialog box. Press Next once you are done.

I have allocated 1GB of RAM from the 4GB available RAM for the VM. You can allocate any amount that you can spare from your computer’s main memory depending upon the work that you will be doing in Linux.

Now is the time to create a virtual hard disk. You can select the size of your virtual hard disk by pressing the Create button and selecting the size from the slider bar similar to the Memory Size Dialog box seen previously.

Select the VDI option and press Next.

Press Next in the storage allocation window.

This is the screen that will be shown displaying the name of your VM created for Ubuntu. Now is the time for the installation of the OS in the Virtual Machine you have created on your computer.

From the Oracle VM, VirtualBox Manager ensures that Ubuntu is selected and press the Start icon.

If the Ubuntu ISO file is not detected by the VM installer, select it by pressing the directory icon next to the drop-down option.

Press the “Install Ubuntu” Option and installation will start. It will take 8 to 10 minutes.

Keep the “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” option selected. There is no threat to the Windows OS of your machine because the part of the hard disk you allocated to this VM will be erased. So don’t be scared, believe me, all you need is to press “Install Now” now.

Select your zone.

Enter your credentials.

And the installation will be complete. After installation, it may seem that the Ubuntu screen is not responding. Just close the window and start the Oracle Virtual Box again. Select the Ubuntu VM from the Manager window and press the Start icon. Ubuntu will start running in the VM and you have to select the user and enter the password to sign in.

This is the VM running Ubuntu for you. If you want to run the Unix commands, search for the terminal and execute it.

This is the running terminal ready to accept Linux commands.

I have experimented with the ‘ls’ command for you

Run Ubuntu on Windows 10

So as you now understand that it is so easy to create a Virtual Machine in windows with the help of Oracle Virtual Box and run any OS you need. Here we have done with Ubuntu. Try with another OS of your choice and share your experience with us.