Windows Machine Into Linux Server using VirtualBox

| January 3, 2021

The following describes how to turn your Windows Machine into a Linux Server using VirtualBox step by step.

windows machine to linux server

VirtualBox Download

First, download VirtualBox binaries for windows hosts from this link.

Then, you may also download the extension pack. This will enable Support for:

  • USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 devices
  • VirtualBox RDP
  • Disk encryption,
  • NVMe and PXE boot for Intel cards.
VirtualBox installation wizard

VirtualBox Installation

To start the installation, run the VirtualBox executable; from the directory where you downloaded the binaries.

You should now see a welcome setup wizard. It should be similar to the one on the left. Click Next to proceed.

Note: VirtualBox downloaded version may not match the screenshots. New versions are released often.

VirtualBox custom setup features selection
Select your installation directory and proceed
VirtualBox custom setup features selection
Choose your installation options

Click Next to proceed, and then follow on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

VirtualBox network interfaces setup

VirtualBox Extension Pack Installation

Now, run the Extension Pack executable; from the directory where you previously downloaded it.

Then, follow the installation wizard. It should be similar to the one on the left. Click Yes to proceed.

VirtualBox network interfaces ready to install
Proceed to the installation by clicking on Install
VirtualBox network interfaces driver installation
Finally, acknowledge the installation trust warning to complete
VirtualBox installation complete

You can now run VirtualBox. By clicking Finish, with Start Oracle VirtualBox checked in, VirtualBox should launch. And the setup wizard close.

Ubuntu Download

Now, you want to download the Linux operating system; to create the virtual machine. For the purpose of this tutorial, we are choosing to use Ubuntu.

To proceed, download Ubuntu Desktop from here. Before installing the image, enable Intel Virtualization Technology (vt-x). This will turn on hardware virtualisation on your machine.

If running on a 64-bit operating system, vt-x will enable the creation of a 64-bit image.

VirtualBox virtual machine creation

Virtual Machine Creation

Now, you are ready to create your virtual machine.

VirtualBox virtual machine name and operating system
Give a name to your virtual machine. For the naming convention, we opt for the operating system and version: Ubuntu X.X.X. Replace X.X.X with the downloaded version of Ubuntu.
Select Linux as the type of operating system and Ubuntu (64-bit) as the version.
VirtualBox virtual machine memory size
You should also configure the memory size of your virtual machine.
VirtualBox virtual machine Ubuntu file location and size
Select the file location of your virtual image and configure the file size. We would advise at least 16 GB as Ubuntu requires 8 GB.
VirtualBox virtual machine Ubuntu settings
Open the settings of your virtual machine by selecting it and then clicking the Settings icon.
Then Navigate to General > Advanced and enable Shared Clipboard and Drag’n’Drop.
Finally, Select Bidirectional on both.
VirtualBox virtual machine Ubuntu settings
Navigate to System > Motherboard > Boot Order and enable Network.
VirtualBox virtual machine Ubuntu settings
Navigate to Storage > Storage Tree > Controller: IDE, remove the empty disk and add a new image by selecting the disk icon. Finally, browse your downloaded Ubuntu Desktop image.
VirtualBox virtual machine launching Ubuntu operating system

Ubuntu Installation on Virtual Machine

With the virtual machine now created, you can start with the installation of Ubuntu.

VirtualBox virtual machine loading Ubuntu
You should see the following message while Ubuntu is loading.
VirtualBox virtual machine Ubuntu installation wizard
Click Install Ubuntu to start the installation.
VirtualBox virtual machine preparing to install Ubuntu
Select Download updates while installing Ubuntu tick box and then click Continue.
VirtualBox virtual machine installation type
Select Erase disk and install Ubuntu radio button and then click Install Now.
VirtualBox virtual machine writing changes to disks
Click Continue to proceed.
VirtualBox virtual machine location
Select your location and then click Continue.
VirtualBox virtual machine keyboard layout
Select your keyboard layout and then click Continue.

Now, enter your name, and then provide and confirm your password. You may also want to check the radio button: Require my password to log in.

VirtualBox virtual machine Ubuntu welcome message
Wait while the installation is in progress.
VirtualBox virtual machine Ubuntu installation complete
Finally, restart to complete Ubuntu installation.

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