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Installing Linux on Virtual Machines | Linux Playground

Installing Linux on Virtual Machines | Linux Playground Installing Linux on Virtual Machines | Linux Playground

Installing Linux on Virtual Machines: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Choose Your Virtual Machine Software

Several VM software options are available. Here are three popular choices:

  • Oracle VM VirtualBox: Open-source, user-friendly, and feature-rich.
  • VMware Workstation Player: Offers robust performance and is suitable for personal use.
  • Hyper-V: Available on Windows, it provides integrated support.

2. Download and Install VM Software

VirtualBox

  1. Visit the VirtualBox download page.
  2. Choose the version compatible with your OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  3. Download and follow the installation prompts.

VMware

  1. Visit the VMware Workstation Player download page.
  2. Download the installer and run it.
  3. Follow the installation prompts.

3. Obtain a Linux ISO File

Linux distributions are available as ISO files, which you can download from their official websites. Popular distributions include:

4. Create a New Virtual Machine

In VirtualBox

  1. Open VirtualBox and click "New".
  2. Name your VM and choose the type (Linux) and version (e.g., Ubuntu 64-bit).
  3. Assign memory (RAM) size—2GB is recommended for most distros.
  4. Create a virtual hard disk by selecting "Create a virtual hard disk now".
  5. Choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) and click "Next".
  6. Choose "Dynamically allocated" for space efficiency.
  7. Set the disk size—20GB is a good starting point.

In VMware

  1. Open VMware Workstation Player and click "Create a New Virtual Machine".
  2. Select "Installer disc image file (iso)" and browse to your downloaded Linux ISO.
  3. Follow the prompts to configure your VM name, location, and disk size.

5. Install Linux on Your Virtual Machine

  1. Start your VM. It should boot from the ISO file.
  2. Follow the on-screen prompts to install Linux. This typically includes selecting language, keyboard layout, time zone, and installation type.
  3. Create user credentials and configure your system.
  4. Once the installation is complete, restart the VM.

6. Post-Installation Configuration

Update System

Open a terminal and update your system packages:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Install Guest Additions

For VirtualBox, this enhances VM performance and enables features like clipboard sharing:

  1. Insert Guest Additions from the VirtualBox menu.
  2. Run the installer from the mounted disk.

7. Explore and Customize

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Linux on a virtual machine. Here are some steps to further customize your setup:

  • Install Additional Software: Use the package manager (e.g., APT for Ubuntu) to install software.
  • Create Snapshots: Take snapshots of your VM state in case you need to revert.
  • Backup: Regularly backup your VM to avoid data loss.

Conclusion

Installing Linux on a virtual machine is a practical way to explore and experiment with the OS without affecting your primary system. Whether you're using VirtualBox, VMware, or Hyper-V, the steps are straightforward and allow for extensive customization and testing. Enjoy your journey with Linux!

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