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How to run an ubuntu vm on windows 2021

Published: May 10, 2020 (Updated: May 10, 2020)
#VirtualBox #Ubuntu #Windows 10

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Unleash Linux Power: How to Run Ubuntu 20.04 LTS on Windows 10 Using VirtualBox

Hey everybody, and welcome back to Darren’s Tech Tutorials!

Have you ever wanted to try out the fantastic features of Linux, but you weren’t ready to commit to installing a new operating system directly on your main computer? Well, you’re in luck! In this guide, we are going to show you exactly how to install and run Ubuntu 20.04 LTS right inside your Windows 10 environment using the free and powerful hypervisor, VirtualBox.

This method is safe, easy, and gives you a fully functioning Ubuntu machine that you can run whenever you need it. Let’s dive right in!

Getting Started: Downloading Your Tools

To run Ubuntu on Windows, we need two main ingredients: a hypervisor (software that runs other operating systems) and the Ubuntu installation file itself.

Step 1: Download and Install VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a free, open-source hypervisor developed by Oracle that makes running virtual machines incredibly simple.

  1. Download VirtualBox: Navigate to the official download page using the link below. Look for the Windows Host package and download the installer file.
  2. Install VirtualBox: Once the download is complete, run the installer.
    • You can typically click through the installation process using the default settings. Click Next through the various setup screens, confirm the network interfaces warning, and click Install.
    • Once the installation is finished, click Finish, and VirtualBox should start automatically.

Step 2: Download the Ubuntu ISO

Next, we need the installation media for Ubuntu. We will be using the popular long-term support (LTS) version, Ubuntu 20.04.

  1. Download Ubuntu: Go to the official Ubuntu download page. We are looking for the desktop version.
  2. The download is a large ISO file, so this may take a few minutes depending on your connection speed. Keep this file in a location you can easily find (usually your Downloads folder).

Setting Up Your Virtual Machine (VM)

With our tools downloaded and VirtualBox installed, we can now create a container—our virtual machine—to hold Ubuntu.

  1. Create a New VM: Open VirtualBox and click the New button.
  2. Configure Basic Settings:
    • Name: Give your machine a descriptive name (e.g., “Darren Ubuntu 20.04”).
    • Type: Select Linux.
    • Version: Select Ubuntu (64-bit).
  3. Memory Allocation (RAM):
    • Ubuntu runs smoothly with sufficient RAM. We recommend allocating at least 2048 MB (2 GB) of RAM. If your Windows PC has 8GB or more, feel free to allocate more (e.g., 4GB) for better performance.
  4. Create a Virtual Hard Disk:
    • Select the option to Create a virtual hard disk now.
    • For the hard disk type, choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image).
    • For allocation, select Dynamically allocated. This means the virtual disk file will only grow as you use space inside Ubuntu, rather than consuming all the space immediately.
    • Size: We recommend setting the virtual drive size to at least 20 GB.
    • Click Create.

Your new virtual machine shell is now ready!

Attaching the Ubuntu ISO and Starting the Install

Before we power on the VM, we need to tell it where to find the installation media—the Ubuntu ISO file we downloaded earlier. This is the equivalent of inserting a CD/DVD into a physical computer.

  1. Access VM Settings: With your new Ubuntu VM selected in the VirtualBox manager, click the Settings button.
  2. Go to Storage: In the settings window, select the Storage category on the left.
  3. Attach the ISO:
    • Under the “Storage Tree,” click on the Empty CD icon under the IDE Controller.
    • On the right-hand panel, click the little blue disc icon next to “Optical Drive.”
    • Select Choose/Create a Virtual Optical Disk.
    • Click Add and navigate to where you saved your Ubuntu ISO file (e.g., your Downloads folder). Select the file and click Open, then Choose.
  4. Click OK to close the settings.

Launching the VM

Now it’s time to start the installation process!

  1. Select your new Ubuntu VM in the list and click the Start button (the green arrow).
  2. The VM window will open, and you should see the Ubuntu boot sequence begin. It may run a disk check first—just give it a moment to complete.

Installing Ubuntu 20.04 LTS within the VM

Once Ubuntu loads, you will be prompted to either “Try Ubuntu” or “Install Ubuntu.”

  1. Start Installation: Click Install Ubuntu.
  2. Keyboard Layout: Select your desired keyboard layout and click Continue.
  3. Updates and Other Software: Select Normal Installation. This gives you a web browser and common utilities. Click Continue.
  4. Installation Type (Crucial Step):
    • You will be asked: “Erase disk and install Ubuntu.” Do not worry! Because you are running this inside VirtualBox, it will only erase the virtual 20GB disk you just created, not your physical Windows hard drive.
    • Select Erase disk and install Ubuntu and click Install Now. Click Continue to confirm the proposed changes.
  5. Location and User Setup:
    • Select your time zone (e.g., Dublin) and click Continue.
    • Set up your user details: your name, a username, and a secure password.
    • (Tip: For convenience, you can select ‘Log in automatically’ in the VM environment.)
    • Click Continue.

The installation process will now kick off. This will take some time as files are copied and configured, so feel free to take a break!

Finishing the Setup and First Boot

Once the installation is complete, you will receive a prompt saying “Installation Complete.”

  1. Restart: Click the Restart Now button.
  2. Remove Installation Media: The system will prompt you to remove the installation medium. If you return to VirtualBox settings (Storage) you should see that the virtual optical disk has automatically been removed, which is great!
  3. Press Enter in the VM window to proceed with the restart.
  4. Welcome Screen: Your VM will now boot directly into your newly installed Ubuntu environment.
    • You may be prompted to connect online accounts—you can skip these steps.
    • Click Next through the short introduction slides, and finally click Done.

Congratulations! You are now running a fully installed version of Ubuntu 20.04 LTS right on your Windows 10 desktop.

Conclusion

Running Ubuntu as a virtual machine in Windows 10 is truly one of the most effective and convenient ways to test out Linux features, run Linux-specific tools, or simply learn more about a new operating system—all without risking your main PC setup.

If you followed along, you now have a powerful, dual-OS environment ready to go!

If you ran into any issues during the install, please leave a comment below—I’m happy to help where I can. If this tutorial helped you get Ubuntu up and running, please like this post and consider subscribing to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more clear, accessible technology guides! Thanks for watching!