Installing and reinstalling operating systems can be a daunting task, especially for those who are not familiar with the process. But fear not, because in this article, we will guide you through the steps to install Windows 10 and Ubuntu 16.04 on your computer with VirtualBox.
What is VirtualBox?
VirtualBox is a powerful and free virtualization software that allows you to run different operating systems on your computer without the need to create separate partitions. It is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux and can run a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and even Android. By using VirtualBox, you can test and experiment with different operating systems, without the risk of damaging your main system.
How to Install VirtualBox on Windows 10 and Ubuntu 16.04
Before we can install Windows 10 and Ubuntu 16.04 on VirtualBox, we need to install the software first. Here are the steps to install VirtualBox:
- Go to the official VirtualBox website at www.virtualbox.org.
- Click on the “Download” button at the top of the page.
- Select your operating system from the dropdown menu and click “Download”.
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install VirtualBox.
How to Install Windows 10 on VirtualBox
Now that we have VirtualBox installed, we can proceed to install Windows 10 on a virtual machine. Here are the steps to install Windows 10 on VirtualBox:
- Download the Windows 10 ISO file from the Microsoft website.
- Open VirtualBox and click on the “New” button in the top-left corner of the window.
- Enter a name for the virtual machine and select “Microsoft Windows” as the Type and “Windows 10 (64-bit)” as the Version.
- Set the memory size to 4 GB or more.
- Select “Create a virtual hard disk now” and click “Create”.
- Select “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” as the hard disk file type and click “Next”.
- Select “Dynamically allocated” as the storage on physical hard disk and click “Next”.
- Set the hard disk size to at least 20 GB and click “Create”.
- Click on the newly created virtual machine and click on “Settings”.
- Select “Storage” and click on the “Empty” CD icon under “Controller: IDE”.
- Click on the “Choose Virtual Optical Disk File” button and select the Windows 10 ISO file that you downloaded earlier.
- Click “OK” to close the Settings window.
- Click on the “Start” button to launch the virtual machine.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of Windows 10.
How to Install Ubuntu 16.04 on VirtualBox
Now that we have Windows 10 installed on VirtualBox, we can proceed to install Ubuntu 16.04 on another virtual machine. Here are the steps to install Ubuntu 16.04 on VirtualBox:
- Download the Ubuntu 16.04 ISO file from the official Ubuntu website.
- Open VirtualBox and click on the “New” button in the top-left corner of the window.
- Enter a name for the virtual machine and select “Linux” as the Type and “Ubuntu (64-bit)” as the Version.
- Set the memory size to at least 2 GB.
- Select “Create a virtual hard disk now” and click “Create”.
- Select “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” as the hard disk file type and click “Next”.
- Select “Dynamically allocated” as the storage on physical hard disk and click “Next”.
- Set the hard disk size to at least 20 GB and click “Create”.
- Click on the newly created virtual machine and click on “Settings”.
- Select “Storage” and click on the “Empty” CD icon under “Controller: IDE”.
- Click on the “Choose Virtual Optical Disk File” button and select the Ubuntu 16.04 ISO file that you downloaded earlier.
- Click “OK” to close the Settings window.
- Click on the “Start” button to launch the virtual machine.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of Ubuntu 16.04.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the installation process:
1. Do I need a product key to install Windows 10 on VirtualBox?
No, you can install and use Windows 10 on VirtualBox without a product key. However, you will be limited to a trial version that will expire after 90 days.
2. Can I install other operating systems on VirtualBox?
Yes, you can install a wide variety of operating systems on VirtualBox, including Linux, macOS, and even Android. You can also test different versions of the same operating system, such as Windows 7 and Windows 10.
Video Tutorial
For a more visual guide, check out this video tutorial on how to install Windows 10 and Ubuntu 16.04 on VirtualBox:
Conclusion
Installing and experimenting with different operating systems is easier than ever with VirtualBox. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can install Windows 10 and Ubuntu 16.04 on your computer without the need to create separate partitions. So go ahead and try it out, and who knows, you might discover a new favorite operating system!
