VirtualBox

Why VirtualBox?

VirtualBox is free, open-source, cross-platform, and widely used for running Windows on Linux. It Hayley’s alternatives like VMware Workstation Player or QEMU exist, but VirtualBox is simpler, more beginner-friendly, and supports Windows VMs well. It’s the best choice for your needs based on ease of use and compatibility.

What You’ll Need

• Ubuntu system: Ubuntu 20.04 or later recommended, with at least 4 GB RAM (8 GB+ preferred), 20 GB free disk space, and virtualization enabled in BIOS (Intel VT-x or AMD-V).

• Windows 10 ISO: Download from Microsoft’s official website (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO).

• Internet connection: For downloading VirtualBox and the Windows ISO.

• Sudo privileges: To install software and manage permissions.

• Optional: VirtualBox Extension Pack (for USB support, if needed).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Install VirtualBox on Ubuntu

• Update Ubuntu:

  • Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run:

  • sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

• Install VirtualBox:

  • Install VirtualBox from the Ubuntu repositories:

  • sudo apt install virtualbox virtualbox-qt -y

  • Alternatively, for the latest version, add the VirtualBox repository:

sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -cs) contrib"

wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -

sudo apt update

• sudo apt install virtualbox-7.0 -y

• Verify installation:

• virtualbox --version

2. Download the Windows 10 ISO

• Visit Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO).

• Select Windows 10, choose your language, and download the 64-bit ISO (e.g., Win10_22H2_English_x64.iso).

• Save the ISO to a known location (e.g., ~/Downloads).

3. Create a Windows 10 Virtual Machine

• Open VirtualBox:

  • Launch VirtualBox from the Ubuntu applications menu or type virtualbox in the terminal.

• Create a New VM:

  • Click New in VirtualBox.

  • Set:

    • Name: e.g., “Windows 10 VM”

    • Type: Microsoft Windows

    • Version: Windows 10 (64-bit)

    • Click Next.

• Configure Memory:

  • Allocate RAM: 4 GB (4096 MB) minimum, 8 GB recommended if you have 16 GB+ on your system. Stay in the green zone on the slider.

  • Click Next.

• Create Virtual Hard Disk:

  • Select Create a virtual hard disk now and click Create.

  • Choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image).

  • Select Dynamically allocated for flexible storage or Fixed size for better performance (requires more upfront space).

  • Set size: 32 GB minimum, 64 GB+ recommended for Windows 10.

  • Click Create.

• Attach Windows ISO:

  • Select the new VM in VirtualBox and click Settings.

  • Go to Storage > Controller: IDE > Empty.

  • Click the CD icon, select Choose a disk file, and pick the Windows 10 ISO (e.g., ~/Downloads/Win10_22H2_English_x64.iso).

  • Click OK.

• Configure VM Settings:

  • In Settings:

    • System > Motherboard: Ensure Enable EFI is checked (optional, for modern Windows setups).

    • Processor: Allocate 2–4 CPUs for better performance.

    • Display > Screen: Set Video Memory to 128 MB and enable 3D Acceleration.

    • Network > Adapter 1: Set to NAT for internet access or Bridged Adapter for network integration.

  • Click OK.

4. Install Windows 10

• Start the VM:

  • Select the VM and click Start.

  • The VM boots from the ISO, starting the Windows 10 setup.

• Follow Windows Setup:

  • Press any key to boot from the ISO.

  • Choose your language, time, and keyboard settings, then click Next.

  • Click Install now.

  • Enter a product key (or select I don’t have a product key to activate later).

  • Select Windows 10 Pro or Home and accept the license terms.

  • Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

  • Select the virtual hard disk (e.g., “Drive 0 Unallocated Space”) and click Next.

  • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation (may take 10–30 minutes).

  • Set up a username, password, and other settings when prompted.

• Reboot:

  • After installation, the VM restarts. Remove the ISO by going to Settings > Storage > Controller: IDE > Empty > Remove Disk from Virtual Drive.

  • Restart the VM if needed.

5. Install VirtualBox Guest Additions

• Insert Guest Additions CD:

  • In the VM window, go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image.

  • In Windows Explorer, open the virtual CD (e.g., D:\) and run VBoxWindowsAdditions-amd64.exe.

• Install Guest Additions:

  • Follow the installer prompts, selecting default options.

  • Reboot the VM when prompted.

• Benefits:

  • Enables full-screen mode, shared clipboard, better video resolution, and drag-and-drop support.

6. Final Setup

• Test Video Calls:

  • Open an app like Microsoft Teams or Zoom in the Windows VM to confirm video calling works (ensure webcam and microphone are enabled in Settings > USB or Devices > Webcams).

• Optional: Install Extension Pack:

  • Download the VirtualBox Extension Pack from https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.

  • Double-click the .vbox-extpack file to install it in VirtualBox for USB 2.0/3.0 support.

• Save VM State:

  • Shut down the VM via Start > Power > Shut down in Windows, or save its state in VirtualBox (Machine > Close > Save the machine state).

Notes

• Performance: VMs are slower than native systems due to shared resources. Allocate more RAM/CPUs if your system allows.

• Snapshots: After setup, take a snapshot (Machine > Take Snapshot) to save a restorable state.

• Security: Use a licensed Windows copy to avoid activation issues. Unofficial ISOs may contain malware.

• Troubleshooting:

  • If the VM won’t boot, ensure virtualization is enabled in BIOS.

  • For camera issues, check USB settings or use an external webcam.

  • For slow performance, increase RAM/CPU allocation or disable background Ubuntu apps.

Citations

• Instructions adapted from VirtualBox official documentation and community guides.

Let me know if you need help with a specific step or encounter issues!