What Is a Virtual Machine (VM)?
A Virtual Machine (VM) is a software-based computer system that emulates a physical computer.
It allows you to run multiple operating systems (OS) — like Linux, Windows, or macOS — on the same physical machine simultaneously.
For example:
- You can have Windows as your main (host) operating system.
- Then, install Linux inside a Virtual Machine — running it like an app on Windows.
What a Virtual Machine Does
A VM:
- Creates an isolated environment inside your host OS.
- Lets you test, develop, and experiment without affecting your main system.
- Allows you to run different OSes at once (e.g., Ubuntu inside Windows).
- Uses a hypervisor (e.g., VirtualBox, VMware, Hyper-V) to manage and allocate resources (CPU, RAM, disk, etc.) to virtual systems.
System Requirements for Running a VM
To run a Linux VM smoothly, your computer should meet these minimum requirements:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 64-bit processor (dual-core) | Quad-core or higher |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or more |
| Disk Space | 20 GB free | 50 GB+ free |
| Virtualization Support | Enabled in BIOS/UEFI | Must be enabled |
| Internet | Optional | Recommended for updates |
Step 1: Choose a Virtualization Software (Hypervisor)
There are many, but here are the most popular free ones:
- VirtualBox (by Oracle) — Free and beginner-friendly
🔗 https://www.virtualbox.org - VMware Workstation Player — Free for personal use
🔗 https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player.html - Hyper-V (Windows built-in option) — For Windows Pro/Enterprise users only
👉 We’ll use VirtualBox in this guide (it’s easy and widely supported).
Step 2: Download a Linux Distribution ISO
A Linux ISO file is the installation image (like a bootable CD).
Common beginner-friendly choices:
- Ubuntu → https://ubuntu.com/download
- Fedora → https://getfedora.org
- Debian → https://www.debian.org/download
Download the ISO file and save it somewhere you can find it later.
Step 3: Install and Set Up VirtualBox
- Install VirtualBox
- Download and install VirtualBox from its official website.
- Follow the installation wizard (Next → Next → Finish).
- Launch VirtualBox
- Open the app and click “New” to create a new virtual machine.
- Create the Virtual Machine
- Name: e.g., “Ubuntu Linux”
- Type: Linux
- Version: Ubuntu (64-bit) or whichever distro you downloaded
- Click Next
- Assign Memory (RAM)
- Allocate at least 2048 MB (2 GB) — or more if your system allows.
- Create a Virtual Hard Disk
- Choose “Create a virtual hard disk now.”
- File type: VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)
- Storage: Dynamically allocated
- Size: 20 GB or more
Click Create.
Step 4: Mount the Linux ISO File
- Select your new VM in VirtualBox.
- Click Settings → Storage.
- Under “Controller: IDE”, click the empty disk icon.
- Click the small CD icon → Choose a disk file → locate and select your downloaded Linux ISO.
- Click OK.
Now your VM is set up to boot from the Linux installer ISO.
Step 5: Boot and Install Linux
- Select your VM and click Start.
- It will boot from the ISO (like starting a new computer with a Linux CD).
- Follow the on-screen instructions:
- Choose your language.
- Click “Install Ubuntu” (or equivalent).
- Choose installation type: Erase disk and install Linux (affects only the virtual disk, not your host PC).
- Set your username and password.
- Wait for installation to complete.
- Once done, reboot the VM.
- When asked, remove the ISO (VirtualBox may prompt this automatically).
Step 6: Post-Installation Configuration
After logging in to your new Linux VM:
Update system packages
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yInstall Guest Additions for better performance:
In VirtualBox menu → Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD image
Follow on-screen prompts to install it.
This enables:
- Better screen resolution
- Clipboard sharing (copy-paste between host and VM)
- Shared folders and drag-and-drop
Step 7: Optional Enhancements
Enable shared folders to access host files in the VM.
Install developer tools:
sudo apt install build-essential git curl -yTake snapshots in VirtualBox before big changes — easy rollback points.
Summary
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Install VirtualBox | Create virtual environment |
| 2 | Download Linux ISO | Get Linux installer |
| 3 | Create a new VM | Allocate resources |
| 4 | Mount ISO | Boot from Linux image |
| 5 | Install Linux | Set up OS |
| 6 | Update & configure | Optimize performance |
| 7 | Enhance & use | Develop, learn, or test safely |
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