• Home
  • News
  • Key Concepts
  • How To
  • Windows 10
  • Apple
  • Android
  • Best-Of
  • Reviews

IT4nextgen

Tech Tutorials and Reviews

IT4nextgen > How To > How to Run Linux or Unix on Windows 10 with VirtualBox

How to Run Linux or Unix on Windows 10 with VirtualBox

Last Updated March 30, 2022 By Subhash D 2 Comments

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 to 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 in 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.

image showing installation step one

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.

virtualbox installation step two

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

image showing Virtualbox installation

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.

VM creation step

I have allocated 1GB of RAM from 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.

screenshot showing setup uptions

Select the VDI option and press Next.

image showing installation steps of virtual drive

Press Next in the storage allocation window.

installation steps

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.

Oracle VM manager

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.

screenshot showing a step to create startup disk

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

screenshot showing Ubuntu installation process

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.

ubuntu installation process in windows 10

Select your zone.

image showing world map

Enter your credentials.

image showing credential form

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 VM and you have to select the user and enter the password to sign in.

password screen

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

ubuntu installation

This is the running terminal ready to accept Linux commands.

image of ubuntu terminal

I have experimented with the ‘ls’ command for you

terminal showing commands

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.

Filed Under: How To

About Subhash D

A tech-enthusiast, Subhash is a Graduate Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. Founder of it4nextgen, he has spent more than 20 years in the IT industry.

Comments

  1. J says

    January 20, 2020 at 6:45 pm

    Subhash D,

    I’m stuck here.

    Reply
  2. Nicholas says

    November 4, 2020 at 9:44 am

    while typing password you cannot see it just type the password and press enter. On the left side hover your mouse until you see ubuntu updates and download those. Done, you are good to go.

    Reply

Share Your Views: Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • 7 Photo Collage DIYs to Make Your Home Office Cozier
  • Essential Elements And Importance of Website Design For Dental Services
  • Report: Redmi Note 12 4G Spotted in IMEI Database (Indian and Global Variant Launch Soon)

Related Posts

  1. 13 Best Tools to Create Bootable USB Drive for Windows or Linux ISO files
  2. Windows Sandbox: All You Need To Know
  3. How to Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Any Data

More…

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy and Disclaimer
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Enjoy FREE Tips & Updates

Enter your email address:

Copyright © 2023 IT4Nextgen.com