Just like humans that can’t live without soul, computers are also in need of an operating system which makes their living. Unlike humans that they can’t change their souls, but computers can, but what better than adding a soul in it. From this, I mean of their operating system like if you are running Windows on your PC and you have used it for a while and you’re bored of that, you can easily install a new operating system in it via virtual machine like Ubuntu. So here’s how to install Ubuntu on VMware and install Ubuntu on VirtualBox and Install Ubuntu on VMware VirtualBox on Windows.
In a recent video in the “Free Software” series, I showed you VirtualBox, which is a free and open source solution to be able to run other operating systems. Download and Install VirtualBox. The first step is to download VirtualBox from the VirtualBox. Download the latest LTS version of Ubuntu, for desktop PCs and laptops. LTS stands for long-term support — which means five years, until April 2025, of free security and maintenance updates, guaranteed. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS release notes. Recommended system requirements: 2 GHz dual core processor or better; 4 GB system memory; 25 GB of free hard.
As Ubuntu is becoming more popular and widely spread, it has surpassed 20 million users actively installed Ubuntu and even might be suggesting others also to use Ubuntu. So, first of all, let’s see what is Ubuntu and why its one of the most popular operating systems than we will show you how to install Ubuntu on VMware and how to install Ubuntu on Virtualbox.
- Related:Install macOS High Sierra on VMware on Windows PC
Ubuntu is an operating system which is based on the open-source and free Linux distribution network. Ubuntu releases a new version of their software every six months with long term support (LTS) release every two years and because of its continuous updates, it has become one of the most popular operating systems and might tackle down Windows and macOS in a few next decade. The good thing is, Ubuntu is, it is available in three versions of core, server, and desktop, which is a Debian-based operating system.
What is VMware?
Whether you’re on Mac or Windows, a virtual machine is what you’ve probably heard of. There are couple of virtual machine apps. Out of those, there are two ✌ most working and powerful one. One of them is VMware, which has two kinds, probably a free and a paid one. The paid one which is VMware Workstation is definitely for business and more powerful use and the free one which VMware Player is definitely for personal use that will also work professionally. So there’s no difference in their work.
What is VirtualBox?
Virtualbox is a free open-source hosted hypervisor for x89 virtualization, which is developed by oracle corporation. As it’s one of top virtual machine app that will allow you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously or in other words, it allows you to run one operating system inside of another operating system. While it requires at least 4GBs of memory and more than 50GB space, but the more the better it will perform. Like with the 4GB’s of memory and 50GBs of storage, you can run a virtual machine which will work fine but for better performance and better results, having more resources will work better than usual.
Install Ubuntu on VMware & VirtualBox
Installing Ubuntu is probably easy and would take a few time like installing Kali Linux on VMware & VirtualBox. Whether you’re on a Windows or a Mac, we’ll do it completely done. There are a few ways you can install Ubuntu. The first option is to do a clean installation of Ubuntu instead of your actual operating system whether its Windows or Mac. The second option is to install Ubuntu beside Windows or Mac which will be dual-boot that isn’t really cool idea. Last but not least option is to install Ubuntu inside your actual operating system which would be installing Ubuntu on virtual machine or better say install Ubuntu on VMware or install Ubuntu on VirtualBox. This is a safe and interesting idea. So let’s start it.
- Related:Install Kali Linux on VMware & VirtualBox
Step One – Download Ubuntu ISO Image
To install Ubuntu on VMware VirtualBox on Windows, you’ll need to download Ubuntu ISO. Downloading it is pretty easy and it isn’t large too. The Ubuntu 19 is supported for maximum of 9 months while the Ubuntu 18.04 is supported until April 2023 but it’s only available for download in 64-bit.
Step Two – Install VMware or VirtualBox
Whether you’re installing on Mac or Windows, the installation process is nearly the same except a few minor changes and interface. Wherever you’re, installing Ubuntu works from this method. In other words, you can use these steps to install Ubuntu on Mac, install Ubuntu on Windows. The similarity is, they’ll be done on VMware or VirtualBox that there’s no difference in the app.
Fire up VMware or VirtualBox setup and proceed with the installation.
VMware Workstation Setup
Once it’s finished, let it open.
Step Three – Create a New Virtual Machine
Once it’s done, open the VMware or VirtualBox and let it work.
So when it’s there, press Ctrl + N to open the new virtual machine wizard. This key works on both VMware & VirtualBox.
On VirtualBox, write down the name of the virtual machine which is Ubuntu and without making changes to its location and OS type and version, assign 50 – 60% of the system’s memory and then select Create a virtual hard disk file now and click on Create.
Create Virtual Machine
On this window, enter 20GB of file size or more and click Create.
The virtual machine should be created on VirtualBox now.
Ubuntu Virtual Machine
When the new virtual machine wizard is there, simply press Next.
On VMware, select Installer Disc Image file and browse the Ubuntu ISO then hit Next.
Install Disk Image File
Now put a name, username and a password for the machine, then hit Next.
Next up, specify a name and where the machine files should be stored and click Next.
Name The Machine
Then specify a hard disk space of at least 20GBs or more and hit Next.
At the end, uncheck the “Power on this virtual machine after creation” and click on Finish.
Step Four – Configure Virtual Machine Settings
In order to install Ubuntu, we need to set up machine settings.
The machine is now created, so click on Edit Virtual Machine Settings.
Edit Virtual Machine Settings
Then specify 50-60% of your system’s memory and also processor then hit OK.
For the processor, increase the amount of the processor from one to two or more then hit OK on the settings window.
Increase Processor
On VirtualBox, click on Settings.
Then select the Display tab, and increase the video memory size to the maximum and also enable 3d Acceleration.
Increase Video Memory
Without closing the settings window, select Storage and click on the “Empty” disc icon and from the right side click on disc icon and click Choose a disk file.
In this screen, browse the Ubuntu ISO image and click on Open.
Select it
When the ISO file is selected, click on OK.
Step Five – Install Ubuntu on VMware & VirtualBox
Once the machine is completely set up, we can now Install Ubuntu on VMware VirtualBox on Windows pretty easily.
From the window, click on Power on This Virtual Machine on VMware & VirtualBox.
From this part, the installation is pretty much the same so you can install it whether you’re installing it on VMware on Windows, on VMware on Mac, or on VirtualBox on Windows or on VirtualBox on Mac.
Download Ubuntu On Mac Using Virtualbox Mac
Power on This Machine
The machine will start the installation soon, so wait for it until it’s complete.
Note: We’re installing Ubuntu 19.10, and when a newer version is released, you can probably install it with this tutorial, there will be no huge changes in it.
Once it’s installed, it will appear this window.
Ubuntu Installed
So click anywhere on the screen and the account will appear, click on Ubuntu and then enter your password then hit Enter.
After a few startup screen, the desktop of the Ubuntu will appear, so there you go!
Download Ubuntu On Mac Using Virtualbox Usb
Ubuntu Desktop Screen
The Ubuntu has now installed and that’s there anytime, anywhere. It works super smooth and superfine. The best thing is, it has installed VMware Tools already so there’s no more steps to take. However, on VirtualBox, you can install VirtualBox Guest Tool from the steps below.
From here, you can try surfing, browsing and whatever you’ve in mind.
That’s it about Install Ubuntu on VMware VirtualBox on Windows . If there’s something remaining or would like to add or make some nice suggestions, we’re happy to hear.
This in depth guide will take you every step of the way through installing Ubuntu Linux on your Mac, by way of VirtualBox – a free and outstanding program. Using this method you’ll be able to run Ubuntu and macOS at the same time!
Please note: although this guide was initially authored in 2015, it has been updated (2020) to be current. The following guide uses Ubuntu 18.04.3 LTS “Bionic Beaver”, but the steps and screenshots are nearly identical for most versions of Ubuntu, up to including 20.04.1 LTS.
Using this method to install Ubuntu not only allows you to run it and macOS at the same time, you can really try out Ubuntu – and if you don’t like it – very easily get rid of it. Plus, it will not affect the files in macOS itself at all. None of the data on your Mac is at risk of being deleted or altered. The entire process is actually quite straightforward – and all of the software involved is free – so why not give it a shot :)
- Before you get started, there are a few things that should be noted up front.
- Depending on the speed of your Internet connection, it might take a while to download Ubuntu. During the actual installation process, based on the version of Ubuntu you opt to install – you may have to spend some time downloading updates as well.
- The installation time is about 20 minutes, depending on the speed of your Mac, amount of memory etc. You may want to make yourself a cup of coffee or tea before you start.
- Running both Ubuntu and macOS at the same time will “slow down” your Mac. The more memory you have and the faster your CPU and/or hard drive is, the less you’ll notice it.
Let’s get started!
- First up, head over to the Ubuntu download page and download Ubuntu.
- Now you’ll need to download and install VirtualBox. Visit their download page and click the link OS X hosts (which is the current stable version). Once the download has completed, open the .dmg file and run the installer – the installation is as easy as clicking ‘next’ a bunch of times. When installation is done, launch VirtualBox from your Applications folder.
- When VirtualBox opens, click the New button.
- Give your “virtual machine” a name (something descriptive is good, but it doesn’t matter). Make sure the Type: is set to Linux and the Version: is Ubuntu (64 bit). Then click the Continue button.
- Now you’re going to decide how much memory (RAM) you’re going to allocate to Ubuntu when it’s running, and how much to leave for macOS. As illustrated in the screenshot below, my total RAM is 4GB, so I allocated half of it to Ubuntu, and the other half to macOS. The more memory you give to Ubuntu, the faster it will run. The drawback is that macOS will have less to use while Ubuntu is running. At a minimum, give Ubuntu at 1GB (1024MB) of RAM. When you’ve decided how much memory (RAM) to give Ubuntu, click the Continue button.
- On the Hard drive screen, select Create a virtual hard drive now and then click Create.
- Now select VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) and click Continue
- Select Dynamically allocated and yep – you guessed it – click Continue
- Use the “slider” to determine the size you want to make the “hard drive” for Ubuntu. At a minimum, you’ll want to select 6GB – and that will not allow for you to install many programs, let alone store files etc. Keep in mind that because you selected “Dynamically allocated” in the previous step, that does not mean that VirtualBox is going to take up that space right away. It means that as Ubuntu needs more space, it will allow the “hard drive” to increase up to whatever size you set at this step.
As illustrated in the screenshot below, I opted to give Ubuntu 10GB. That’s enough for the installation and to install quite a few programs. Since I won’t be “storing” many files in Ubuntu (movies, pictures, music etc) – 10GB will suit my needs. Plus, I have a small hard drive on my MacBook Air. If you have a big hard drive, you might as well allocate more rather than less, again – the space won’t be used until it’s needed. After you’ve made your selection, click Create.
- Almost time to install Ubuntu! Click the Start button.
- If you’re using macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later, you’re going to need to ‘allow’ Virtualbox to receive keystrokes from any application (which is completely safe). Click the Open System Preferences button.
- Click the ‘lock’ icon in the bottom left corner of the screen. After entering your password, place a check in the box next to the Virtualbox item in the list.
- Click Later when prompted.
- Back in Virtualbox you’ll be prompted to locate a file. Click the “folder” icon next to menu that says Empty (see screenshot below).
- Again, if you’re using macOS 10.15 or later, you’ll be prompted to grant permission for Virtualbox to access a folder. Click OK. You may be prompted to do this several more times – just click OK each time.
- Navigate to the Ubuntu .iso file that you downloaded all the way back in step #1. Select it, and click Open
- Now click Start
- Finally! Click Install Ubuntu
- Select your keyboard layout and preferred language then click Continue
- Make sure to place a check in both of the boxes – Download updates while installing Ubuntu and Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media formats – then click the Continue button.
- Select Erase disk and install Ubuntu. NOTE: this is not going to ‘wipe out’ or erase any data in macOS. None. It is safe to click Install Now, so do just that.
- Click Continue
- When prompted, select your Time Zone and then click Continue
- Fill in each field with the required information. When you’re done, Continue
- Now it’s time to sit back and relax with that cup of coffee or tea. This may take a bit.
- Yay! It’s done! Click Restart Now
- Hit Enter (the ‘return’ key on your keyboard) when prompted.
- And you’ll boot into Ubuntu! Enter your password when prompted.
- Welcome to the Ubuntu Desktop! At this point you should be connected to the Internet and completely ready to go – have fun!