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HOW TO INSTALL WINDOWS 11 ON VIRTUALBOX 2024

Published: April 14, 2024 (Updated: Apr 14, 2024)
#Windows 11 #VirtualBox #Virtualization

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Hands-On: How to Install Windows 11 on VirtualBox – The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome back to Darren’s Tech Tutorials!

Are you excited to check out Windows 11 but aren’t ready to commit to a full installation on your primary machine? That’s where VirtualBox comes in! Installing Windows 11 within a Virtual Machine (VM) is the perfect way to test new features, explore the interface, and try out applications—all completely safely on your current operating system.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything, from downloading the official Windows 11 ISO to successfully configuring and launching your new virtual environment. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Gathering the Necessary Files (The Windows 11 ISO)

The first step in our journey is securing the official installation media directly from Microsoft.

Action Steps:

  1. Download VirtualBox: If you haven’t already, download and install the latest version of Oracle VM VirtualBox. It’s free and cross-platform.
  2. Download the Windows 11 ISO: Navigate to the official Microsoft Windows 11 download page. Under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” section, select the desired edition and language, and download the full installation file. This file is large, so make sure you have a stable internet connection.

Step 2: Configuring Your Virtual Machine

Windows 11 has specific hardware requirements that need to be met, even in a virtual environment. We need to allocate enough resources (RAM, CPU, and storage) to ensure a smooth installation and operation.

Key Hardware Recommendations for the VM:

  • RAM: 4 GB (4096 MB) minimum. 8 GB is highly recommended for better performance.
  • Processors (CPUs): 2 cores minimum.
  • Storage: 64 GB minimum.

Setting up the VM in VirtualBox Manager:

  1. Create a New VM: Open VirtualBox and click the New button.
  2. Name and Type: Give your machine a descriptive name (e.g., “Win11 Test VM”). Set the Type to Microsoft Windows and the Version to Windows 11 (64-bit).
  3. Memory Allocation: Set the memory size to at least 4096 MB (4 GB). Ensure the green slider stays within the safe range.
  4. Hard Disk: Select Create a virtual hard disk now and choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) as the file type. Select Dynamically Allocated for disk allocation to save space on your host machine until the space is needed. Set the size to at least 64 GB.
  5. Review Settings: Once the VM is created, right-click it and choose Settings.
    • Navigate to System > Processor and ensure you have at least 2 CPUs allocated.
    • Navigate to Storage. Under Controller: IDE, click the empty CD icon. On the right, click the small disc icon and choose “Choose a disk file…” Navigate to and select the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded earlier. This mounts the installation disk.

Step 3: Installing Windows 11 and Bypassing TPM Checks

Windows 11 officially requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which VirtualBox doesn’t enable by default. However, we can use a simple registry trick during installation to bypass these checks!

The Installation Process:

  1. Start the VM: Click Start to power on your new virtual machine. It should boot directly from the ISO file.
  2. Initial Setup: Select your language, time format, and keyboard input, then click Next. Click Install now.
  3. Product Key: If you don’t have a key, click I don’t have a product key and select the version of Windows 11 you wish to install (e.g., Windows 11 Pro).
  4. The Compatibility Screen: This is where the setup will usually halt, showing an error about missing TPM 2.0 or insufficient RAM/CPU.

The Registry Bypass Trick (Crucial Step!):

When you encounter the compatibility error screen:

  1. Press Shift + F10 on your keyboard. This opens the Command Prompt window.
  2. In the Command Prompt, type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  3. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
  4. Right-click on the Setup key, select New > Key, and name the new key LabConfig.
  5. Select the new LabConfig key. In the main right panel, right-click and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  6. Create the following two DWORD values inside LabConfig and set their data to 1:
    • BypassTPMCheck
    • BypassSecureBootCheck
  7. Close the Registry Editor and the Command Prompt.
  8. Click the Back arrow at the top left of the Windows Setup screen.
  9. Rerun the setup by selecting Install now and accepting the license terms. The setup should now proceed past the compatibility check!
  10. Final Installation: Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced), select the allocated 64 GB virtual drive, and click Next.

Windows will now install. The VM will reboot several times. Once complete, you will proceed through the standard Windows 11 personalization and account setup screens.

Step 4: Install VirtualBox Guest Additions

After you have successfully logged into your new Windows 11 desktop, one crucial final step remains to ensure optimal performance, resolution scaling, and clipboard sharing between your host machine and the VM.

  1. Mount the Guest Additions CD: In the VirtualBox menu bar (the one at the top of your main computer screen, not inside the VM window), go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image…
  2. Run the Installer: Inside your Windows 11 VM, open File Explorer and click on the virtual CD drive (it will be named “VirtualBox Guest Additions”). Double-click the installer file (usually VBoxWindowsAdditions.exe).
  3. Reboot: Follow the prompts to install the drivers. Once complete, restart the Windows 11 VM.

You now have a fully functional, high-performance Windows 11 environment running inside VirtualBox!

Conclusion: Test Drive Windows 11 Today!

That’s all there is to it! You’ve successfully navigated the tricky TPM and Secure Boot requirements and now have a clean, isolated version of Windows 11 ready for testing and exploration. Virtual machines are fantastic tools for learning, development, and safely trying out new operating systems.

If this guide helped you get Windows 11 running smoothly, please give the video a thumbs-up—it truly helps the channel! Don’t forget to Subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more accessible and practical technology guides.

Happy testing!