How to install and configure Ubuntu Linux on VirtualBox

Oracle VirtualBox is a cross-platform virtualization application. It installs on your existing Intel or AMD-based computers, whether they are running Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. VirtualBox is a software virtualization package that you can install on your operating system. In this article, we will discuss How to install and configure Ubuntu Linux on VirtualBox. Please see How to install Windows Server 2022 on VirtualBox, and How to install Oracle VirtualBox on a Mac device.

In VirtualBox terminology, the operating system on which VirtualBox is installed is referred to as the host. The operating system you install and configure Ubuntu Linux on VirtualBox (virtual machine) is called the guest.

Here is how to install Windows Server 2019 on VirtualBox. See the following guides on how to perform Post OS Installation configuration of Windows Server 2019 Properties, how to install Windows Server 2016 Operating System, Windows Server 2019 on a VMware Workstation, and how to install and configure Ubuntu Linux.

To install Ubuntu Server 20.04 on a VirtualBox virtual machine, follow the detailed steps below. These steps ensure VirtualBox is already installed.

Step 1 – Create a Virtual Machine

Launch VirtualBox and click on “New”.

Note: On a macOS, you can click on machine and select “New”

Next, enter a name you wish to save your virtual machine. Enter the desired name for your virtual machine in the “Name” field as shown below.

Here you can also select a location for your virtual machine.

• OS type “Linux” as shown below and
• The Version of Linux (In my case, it is Ubuntu (64-bit)).

Select an amount of RAM

Assign memory to your virtual machine. I will select 2048 MB

You can increate the memory with the slider or by typing the values.

Create your virtual machine’s virtual hard drive

The virtual hard drive is a section of your computer’s hard drive space which will be used to store your virtual machine’s files etc.

This will open the Hard disk type window. I will be selecting VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) as shown below. For the differences, take a look on how to install VirtualBox and Guest Integration.

You can choose either the “Dynamically allocated” or the “Fixed size” option for creating the virtual hard disk. I will be choosing the “Dynamically allocated” as shown below. For the difference, Please see the screenshot.

Enter the desired file location and size of the VDI. You can use the slider or type the size into the field as shown below.

Click on create and VirtualBox will generate the “Ubuntu” virtual machine.

Here is How to install ESXi on VirtualBox, and “How to fix Failed to open session in VirtualBox to install Windows 11 Image“.

Step 2: Set up Ubuntu on this VM

Now the virtual machine is created. We are ready to install Ubuntu in this virtual machine. It is time to boot that ISO and install Linux as a virtual operating system.

Download the ISO Image

The next steps requires Ubuntu 20.04 to be downloaded. Select your new virtual machine and click the ‘Settings’ button.

• Click on the “Storage” category and
• Select “Empty” under Controller:IDE as shown below.
• Click “CD/DVD” icon on right hand side and
• Select the ubuntu ISO file to mount.

And click ok after selecting the ISO image you downloaded.

Step 3 – Install Ubuntu 20.04

To Install ubuntu, follow the steps below. Click on the new Ubuntu virtual machine. Select the ‘Start’ button.

This will perform so launch the Ubuntu machine in order to continue with the installation.

Select your desired language and click on Install Ubuntu as shown below.

Select your desired Keyboard layout. I will be selecting German

Select Normal Installation as shown below.

If you would like to install Minimal Installation (This will have just the basic utilities and web browser).

Click on Install now. See the figure below for this.

When a new window is prompted click on continue to write changes to disks.

Click continue under where are you. I am ok with Berlin 😉

Setup an Account

Enter your relevant account information as shown below. The computer’s name and username will automatically be populated.

Note: This user will have root/sudo privilege. Click ‘Continue’ button.

The installation process will continue as shown below.

After installation is complete, click the ‘Restart Now’ button as shown below.

When you see a screen with a black background saying ‘Please remove installation media and close the tray (if any) then press any key or ENTER on your keyboard. When this process is completed, the following window will be displayed.

Click on your username and this will prompt you to enter your username.

The Ubuntu Desktop OS is ready. As you can see, the desktop screen is too small. To fix this the “VirtualBox Guest Additions” need to be installed.

You may be required to connect your online account. Skip it and keep clicking on next and finally select done.

If you get a notification to install updates as shown below, PLEASE install the updates immediately.

Now you can start using your Linux device from henceforth.

That’s how you can install and configure Ubuntu Linux on VirtualBox. I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.