DTT

How to Install VirtualBox on Windows Server 2016 / Windows 10

Published: June 13, 2018 (Updated: Jun 13, 2018)
#VirtualBox #Windows Server #Virtualization

Enjoying this content? Subscribe to the Channel!

Master Virtualization: How to Install VirtualBox on Windows Server 2016 (and Windows 10!)

Welcome back to Darren’s Tech Tutorials! If you’re looking to test new operating systems, run a sandbox environment, or simply learn more about virtualization, Oracle’s VirtualBox is an essential, free tool.

VirtualBox is a powerful, open-source hypervisor that allows you to create virtual machines (VMs) right on your existing hardware. It’s perfect for setting up a testing lab without needing extra physical computers.

Today, we are going to walk through the super simple process of installing VirtualBox directly onto a Windows Server 2016 environment. The best part? If you are running Windows 10 or Windows 11, the installation steps are exactly the same! Let’s dive in and get virtualized.

Why Choose VirtualBox?

VirtualBox is a lightweight, high-performance solution that offers amazing flexibility. As a free and open-source project currently developed by Oracle, it provides robust features like snapshots, USB device support, and full networking capabilities—all without costing you a dime.

Before we start, make sure you have administrative access to your Windows machine, as the installation process will need to make changes to your system’s network configuration.

Step 1: Downloading the VirtualBox Installer

The first step in our journey is securing the latest installation package. We always recommend downloading directly from the official source to ensure security and stability.

The Download Process:

  1. Navigate to the Official Site: Open your web browser and go to the official VirtualBox download page. (You can always find the direct link here: https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads).
  2. Select the Windows Host: On the downloads page, look for the section titled “VirtualBox platform packages.”
  3. Click the link labeled “Windows hosts.” This will immediately start downloading the latest executable file (usually named something like VirtualBox-X.X.X-XXXXX-Win.exe).
  4. Once the download is complete, note the location of the installer file (usually your ‘Downloads’ folder).

Step 2: Installing VirtualBox on Windows Server

With the installer downloaded, we are ready to run the setup wizard. This is a straightforward process, but we’ll walk through the key screens to ensure you don’t miss any crucial steps.

The Installation Walkthrough:

  1. Run the Installer: Double-click the downloaded VirtualBox executable file to launch the setup wizard. You may be prompted by Windows User Account Control (UAC)—click ‘Yes’ to proceed.
  2. Welcome Screen: On the initial welcome screen, click Next.
  3. Custom Setup: This screen allows you to select which features to install and where to install them. For the vast majority of users, leaving the default selections is perfectly fine. Click Next.
  4. Registration and Shortcuts: The installer will ask if you want to create shortcuts on the desktop or in the Start Menu. Customize these options as needed, then click Next.
  5. Network Interface Warning (IMPORTANT): This is a critical step! VirtualBox needs to install virtual network adapters to allow your virtual machines to communicate with your host machine and the outside world. The setup wizard will warn you that installing these interfaces will temporarily reset your host machine’s network connection.
    • Action: Click Yes to acknowledge this temporary network interruption. Do not proceed if you are currently running critical network tasks.
  6. Ready to Install: Once you confirm your settings, click Install.
  7. Final Installation: Windows may prompt you several times during the installation to confirm the installation of device software (drivers) from Oracle. Always click Install or Allow to ensure the network components are set up correctly.
  8. Completion: After a minute or two, the setup will finish. Leave the checkbox labeled “Start Oracle VM VirtualBox after installation” selected and click Finish.

Congratulations! VirtualBox should now launch, presenting you with the main dashboard.

Next Steps

Now that you have VirtualBox installed on your Windows Server 2016 (or Windows 10) machine, you are ready for the fun part: creating your first Virtual Machine!

From here, you can:

  • Click New to begin setting up a guest operating system (like Ubuntu, Kali Linux, or another version of Windows Server).
  • Download and install the VirtualBox Extension Pack for additional features like USB 3.0 support and RDP access.

If you prefer a full, text-based reference guide for this process, you can find our detailed walkthrough here: https://darrenoneill.eu/?p=637

Wrapping Up

Virtualization opens up incredible opportunities for learning and testing, and installing VirtualBox is the essential first step. We successfully downloaded and installed this crucial hypervisor, paving the way for countless new projects and experiments!

Did this tutorial help you get set up? Let me know in the comments below! Don’t forget to Like this video and Subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more clear, accessible guides just like this one. Happy virtualizing!