How to Install & Run Ubuntu Linux in Virtual. Box. If you want to experiment with Linux without dual booting and potentially impacting your main operating system, the best way to do so is with virtualization. Virtualization allows you to run Linux directly atop your primary OS, whether it’s Mac OS X or Windows, in a separate virtual machine, with practically no potential for error.

It’s completely free and fairly easy to set up, we’ll walk you through the entire process. Requirements for Running Ubuntu in Virtual. Box. Be sure to meet the above requirements before beginning. Once Virtual. Box is installed and the Ubuntu ISO is downloaded, you can proceed with set up and installation.

Launch Virtual. Box and create a new virtual machine, name it something like “Ubuntu Linux” and set the Operating System to “Linux” and version to “Ubuntu” and set the base memory to at least 5. MB or 1. GBCreate a new virtual hard disk and check “Start- up Disk”, click Continue and choose VDI as the disk type. Optional: Set the storage details to be “Dynamically allocated” to preserve some initial disk space.

Find compatible DRAM memory and SSD upgrades for your PC or Laptop with our Crucial Advisor tool or Crucial System Scanner, with FREE US delivery!

Name the virtual disk something obvious like “Linux VM” and make it at least 5. GB (8. GB recommended) and click “Create” to produce the virtual hard drive. At the Virtual. Box Manager screen, select the newly created “Ubuntu Linux” virtual machine and click on the “Settings” button. Click on the “Storage” tab and next to “IDE Controller” click the + icon that looks like a CD to add a new IDE Controller. Click “Choose Disk” and locate the Ubuntu ISO (named something like ” ubuntu- 1. OK” and close out of Settings. Back at the Virtual.

Box Manager screen, select the Linux virtual machine and click on “Start” to begin booting the VMLet the VM boot and choose “Install Ubuntu” at the welcome screen, create a login and user name, set time zones, and click through the simple installation process until it begins. How long it takes to install Ubuntu Linux in the virtual machine varies on the speed of the computer and the speed of the internet connection, but somewhere between 2. When finished, Ubuntu Linux will boot into the desktop and you can start exploring and having fun. Because Ubuntu is contained within a virtual machine, it’s practically impossible to screw up your host computer, so feel free to explore, try out new commands, install random software, and learn without fear of breaking anything.

The only thing you can potentially mess up is the virtual machine itself, which is unlikely but could be simply deleted and reinstalled again if it happened. If you enjoyed this post, don’t miss our other Virtual. Box how- to guides, including: Virtual.

Box works with just about any other operating system you can think of. Advanced Cardiac Life Support on this page. Being a free solution, it’s performance is not as impressive as VMWare or Parallels though, and if you intend on using virtual machines for production it would be worth considering a paid solution for maximum performance.

Latest trending topics being covered on ZDNet including Reviews, Tech Industry, Security, Hardware, Apple, and Windows. InformationWeek.com: News, analysis and research for business technology professionals, plus peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. Engage with our community. Explore the world of Mac. Check out the MacBook Pro, iMac Pro, MacBook, iMac, and more. Visit the Apple site to learn, buy, and get support.

A technology design and manufacturing services (TDMS) provider. Features information on products, services, corporate profile, careers and contacts.