Windows & Linux · Installing Ubuntu on Oracle VirtualBox

Installing Ubuntu on Oracle VirtualBox

View this project on GitHub

Download the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS ISO, create a VM in VirtualBox, allocate resources, boot the ISO, run through the installer, and finish with updates.

Ubuntu Desktop ISO · Oracle VirtualBox

Prerequisites & Recommendations

  • Enable virtualization in BIOS/UEFI (Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
  • Suggested VM resources: 2+ vCPU, 8–12 GB RAM, 40+ GB disk for testing; this walkthrough uses ~9.2 GB RAM, 2 CPUs, and 200 GB disk.
  • Keep the ISO and a checksum handy; verify if needed.

Create a Virtual Machine

  1. Open Oracle VirtualBox → click New and name it Ubuntu.
  2. Allocate resources (RAM/CPU) and create a virtual disk.
  3. Attach the Ubuntu ISO as the optical drive and set to boot.
New VM wizard
1) New VM wizard.
Allocating memory and CPUs
2) RAM & CPU allocation.
Create virtual hard disk
3) Create virtual hard disk (e.g., 200 GB).
Configuration summary
4) Review configuration summary.
Attach ISO to optical drive
5) Attach the ISO and set to boot.

Boot the ISO

Power on the VM. From the GRUB menu, choose Try or Install Ubuntu and follow the prompts.

GRUB menu Try or Install Ubuntu
GRUB: Try or Install Ubuntu.
Preparing Ubuntu
Preparing Ubuntu.
Ubuntu 24.04 splash
24.04 splash screen.
Choose language
Choose language.
Select keyboard layout
Keyboard layout.
Internet connectivity
Connectivity.
Updates available
Updates available.
Update ready close installer
Update ready.
Ubuntu desktop
Live desktop.

Install Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

  1. On the desktop, click Install Ubuntu 24.04.x LTS.
  2. Choose language & keyboard, select install type and applications.
  3. Optionally enable third-party/proprietary drivers and media codecs.
  4. Partition the disk (guided is fine for a fresh VM) and confirm.
  5. Create your user, set timezone, and start installation.
Install icon on desktop
1) Start installer.
Choose language
2) Language.
Installation type
3) Install type.
Applications default or extended
4) Apps: Extended.
Third party software and codecs
5) Third-party & codecs.
Disk setup
6) Disk setup.
Create your account
7) User account.
Select timezone
8) Timezone.
Ready to install summary
9) Confirm & install.
Copying files
10) Copying files.
Installing system
11) Installing system.
Setting up system
12) Setting up.
Installation complete restart
13) Complete: Restart.
Restarting system
Restarting…

Post-Installation

System restart after install
Restart after install.
Login screen
Login screen.
Welcome prompt after login
Welcome prompt.
Ubuntu desktop environment
Desktop environment.
Terminal demo
Terminal.
Check for updates
Check for updates.
Run available upgrades
Run upgrades.

Update the System

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

Optional: Install Guest Additions (Better Display & Clipboard)

  1. From the VM window menu: Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD image…
  2. In the guest OS, run:
sudo apt install -y build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
sudo mount /dev/cdrom /mnt
sudo /mnt/VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
sudo reboot

Summary

This walkthrough covered downloading the Ubuntu ISO, creating and configuring a VirtualBox VM, booting the installer, completing setup, and applying post-install updates.

← Back to Home