How to Install Ubuntu in VirtualBox on Windows 11 – 2025

Welcome and Introduction

Welcome back to the Huntersam! How to Install Ubuntu in VirtualBox In today’s post, we’re going to be installing Ubuntu version 24.04, the long-term support version, in VirtualBox on a Windows 11 PC.

Minimum Requirements

Before we get started, let’s take a look at the minimum requirements:

• RAM: At least 4 GB available
• Hard Disk Space: At least 25 GB available
• CPU Cores: At least 2 cores
• Tools Needed:
  • Ubuntu ISO image file
  • VirtualBox and the extension pack

If you don’t know how to install these tools, check out my other video, where I walk you through those steps. All the steps and tools used in this video will be linked in the description below.

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Downloading Ubuntu ISO

Here we are at our Windows 11 desktop. The first thing we need to do is download the Ubuntu ISO image file.

1. Open your browser and navigate to the Ubuntu download page.
2. Download the latest version, 22.04 (the long-term support version, supported until April 2027).
3. Click the download link to start downloading the file (3.4 GB in size).

Setting Up VirtualBox

Once the download is complete, follow these steps to set up your virtual machine:

1. Open VirtualBox Manager:
   • Click the “New” button at the top to create a new virtual machine.
   • Enter a name (e.g., “Ubuntu”).
   • Select Linux as the type and Ubuntu (64-bit) as the version.
2. Allocate Resources:
   • Memory: Allocate at least 4 GB (or more for smoother performance).
   • Hard Disk Space: Create a virtual disk (minimum 25 GB; recommend 30 GB).
3. Modify Virtual Machine Settings:
   • Processors: Set at least 2 CPUs (or max out within the green zone for better performance).
   • Display: Set video memory to the maximum (128 MB).
   • Storage: Point to the Ubuntu ISO file.

Installing Ubuntu

Start the Virtual Machine:

• Select the virtual machine and click “Start.”
• From the menu, choose the option to “Install.”

1. Follow Installation Steps:
   • Choose English as the language and continue.
   • Select a Normal Installation and check “Download updates while installing Ubuntu.”
   • Choose “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” (affects only the virtual drive).
2. Set Regional and User Details:
   • Select your region (e.g., Toronto) and continue.
   • Enter your name, username, and password.
3. Complete Installation:
   • Wait for the installation process to finish.
   • Restart the system.

Logging In and Initial Setup

After rebooting:

1. Log in with the password you created.
2. Complete the setup wizard (skip or customize options like privacy and applications).

Enabling Full-Screen Mode

1. Open the Terminal:
   • Use the shortcut or search for “Terminal.”
   • Run the following commands:bashCopy codesudo apt update sudo apt install virtualbox-guest-additions-iso
2. Insert Guest Additions CD:
   • Go to the Devices menu in VirtualBox.
   • Select “Insert Guest Additions CD Image.”
3. Run the Installation Script:
   • Open the CD and run the autorun.sh script.
   • Enter your password when prompted and authenticate the installation.
4. Restart the Virtual Machine:
   • Go to the power menu and select “Restart.”

Testing Full-Screen Mode

After rebooting:

1. Log in again with your password.
2. Go to the View menu in VirtualBox.
3. Select Full Screen Mode and click “Switch.”

Now, Ubuntu 22.04 is running in full-screen mode on VirtualBox.

Download Ubuntu Latest Version

Download VirtualBox Latest Version

1. Create a New Virtual Machine in VirtualBox

1. Open VirtualBox.
2. Click on “New” to create a new virtual machine.
3. Enter a name (e.g., “Ubuntu”) and select:
   • Type: Linux
   • Version: Ubuntu (64-bit)
4. Allocate memory (RAM):
   • Recommended: At least 2 GB (2048 MB) for smooth operation.
5. Click “Create” to proceed.

2. Configure the Virtual Hard Disk

1. Choose “Create a virtual hard disk now”.
2. Select the hard disk file type (VDI recommended).
3. Choose storage type:
   • Dynamically allocated: Saves space until needed.
   • Fixed size: Pre-allocates the entire disk space.
4. Allocate disk space: Minimum 20 GB for Ubuntu.
5. Click Create.

3. Load the Ubuntu ISO

1. Select your new virtual machine and click “Settings”.
2. Go to the Storage tab.
3. Under Controller: IDE, click Empty.
4. On the right, click the CD icon and select “Choose a disk file”.
5. Browse to and select the downloaded Ubuntu ISO file.
6. Click OK.

4. Start the Virtual Machine

1. Select your virtual machine and click “Start”.
2. Ubuntu will boot from the ISO file.

5. Install Ubuntu

1. Select your language and click Install Ubuntu.
2. Choose your keyboard layout.
3. Select installation type:
   • Normal installation: Includes browser, utilities, etc.
   • Minimal installation: Basic tools only.
4. Check Download updates while installing Ubuntu and Install third-party software for better functionality.
5. Click Continue.

6. Configure Disk Partitioning

1. Choose Erase disk and install Ubuntu (this only applies to the virtual machine).
2. Click Install Now and confirm changes.

7. Complete the Setup

1. Enter your location, name, username, and password.
2. Wait for the installation to complete.

8. Restart and Remove ISO

1. After installation, click Restart Now.
2. When prompted, remove the ISO file:
   • Go to Settings > Storage and detach the ISO file.

Conclusion

That’s it! You’ve successfully installed and configured Ubuntu 24.04 in VirtualBox on a Windows 11 PC.

If you found this Post useful, please smash that like button. For more virtual machine guides, check out my Blog, Geek or Guides. Links are in the description.

Thank you for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next one!