how to spin a vm on wndows 11 ubuntu 22.04

Daniel Parker

3 min read

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19-01-2025

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Spinning up a virtual machine (VM) allows you to run another operating system, like Ubuntu, directly within your Windows 11 environment. This is invaluable for software development, testing, or simply exploring a different OS without dual-booting. This guide will walk you through setting up a Ubuntu 22.04 VM on Windows 11 using the popular VirtualBox hypervisor.

Choosing Your Hypervisor: Why VirtualBox?

Several hypervisors exist for Windows 11, including VMware Workstation Player, Hyper-V, and VirtualBox. For this guide, we'll use VirtualBox due to its free, open-source nature and ease of use. It's a great option for beginners and experienced users alike.

Download and Install VirtualBox:

1. Navigate to the official Oracle VirtualBox website (https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads).
2. Download the Windows host version appropriate for your system (64-bit is almost certain).
3. Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Accept the default settings unless you have a specific reason to change them.

Downloading the Ubuntu 22.04 ISO

Before creating the VM, you'll need the Ubuntu 22.04 LTS installation ISO image.

1. Go to the official Ubuntu website (https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop).
2. Download the 64-bit desktop version. Ensure it's the .iso file.

Creating the Ubuntu 22.04 Virtual Machine

With VirtualBox installed and the Ubuntu ISO downloaded, we can create our VM:

1. Launch VirtualBox: Open the VirtualBox application.
2. Click "New": This initiates the VM creation wizard.
3. Name and Type: Give your VM a name (e.g., "Ubuntu 22.04"). Select "Linux" as the type and "Ubuntu (64-bit)" as the version.
4. Memory Allocation: Allocate at least 4GB of RAM to the VM. More RAM will improve performance, but don't allocate more than your system can comfortably handle.
5. Hard Disk: Choose "Create a virtual hard disk now" and click "Create."
6. Storage Type: Select "VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)."
7. Storage Allocation: Choose "Dynamically allocated" to save disk space. Allocate at least 30GB of disk space for the VM. You can allocate more if you anticipate needing more storage.
8. Finish: Click "Finish" to complete the VM creation.

Configuring and Starting the VM

1. Select the VM: In the VirtualBox main window, select your newly created Ubuntu VM.
2. Settings: Click the "Settings" button.
3. Storage: Under "Storage," click the empty disk icon next to "IDE Controller." Then, click the small disk icon on the right.
4. Choose Disk File: Select the downloaded Ubuntu 22.04 ISO image file.
5. Start the VM: Click the "Start" button.

The VM will now boot from the ISO. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu 22.04. You'll need to:

Installing Ubuntu 22.04 within the VM

The Ubuntu installer is straightforward. You'll choose your language, keyboard layout, and partition your virtual hard drive (generally choosing "Erase disk and install Ubuntu" is fine for a fresh installation). Remember to select your desired username and password.

Post-Installation and Guest Additions

Once the installation is complete, the VM will reboot. You will then need to install the VirtualBox Guest Additions:

1. Insert the Guest Additions CD: From the Devices menu in VirtualBox, choose "Insert Guest Additions CD image."
2. Run the Installer: A new window will appear prompting you to run the Guest Additions installer. Follow the on-screen instructions. This enhances mouse integration, video resolution, and other features.

Restart the VM again after installing Guest Additions to fully integrate these enhancements.

Conclusion: Enjoy Your Ubuntu VM!

Congratulations! You've successfully created and installed an Ubuntu 22.04 VM on your Windows 11 system using VirtualBox. You now have a fully functional Ubuntu environment ready to use for your projects and exploration. Remember to regularly update both your host system (Windows 11) and your guest operating system (Ubuntu 22.04) for optimal security and performance.