Install Ubuntu on Windows 10 with VirtualBox

This guide walks you through installing Ubuntu on Windows 10 using Oracle VirtualBox, giving you a full Linux desktop environment that runs inside a window on your Windows machine. You’ll be able to try Ubuntu, run Linux-only software, and experiment without partitioning your hard drive or risking your current setup. Before starting, make sure you have at least 15 GB of free disk space and a stable internet connection.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC with at least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended)
At least 15 GB of free hard drive space
VirtualBox installer (free from virtualbox.org)
Ubuntu Desktop ISO file (free from ubuntu.com/download/desktop)
Administrator rights on your Windows account

Step-by-Step

Download VirtualBox. Go to virtualbox.org and click “Download VirtualBox”. Choose the Windows hosts package (usually a .exe file). Save it to your Downloads folder.
Download Ubuntu ISO. Visit ubuntu.com/download/desktop and download the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version. The file is about 2-4 GB, so allow time for the download.
Install VirtualBox. Double-click the downloaded VirtualBox installer. Follow the prompts, keeping default settings. When asked about installing device drivers, click “Yes” or “Install”. After installation, launch VirtualBox.
Create a new virtual machine. In VirtualBox, click the “New” button (blue gear icon). Name your VM (e.g., “Ubuntu VM”). VirtualBox should automatically detect “Linux” as Type and “Ubuntu (64-bit)” as Version. If not, select these manually.
Allocate memory. Set the RAM size. The recommended minimum is 2048 MB (2 GB), but 4096 MB (4 GB) is better if your PC has enough RAM. Do not exceed the green area in the slider, as that would starve your Windows system.
Create a virtual hard disk. Choose “Create a virtual hard disk now” and click “Create”. Select “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” as the file type. Choose “Dynamically allocated” so the file only grows as you use space. Set the size to at least 20 GB (the slider defaults to 10 GB, which is too small for a comfortable Ubuntu install). Click “Create”.
Attach the Ubuntu ISO. With your VM selected in the VirtualBox manager, click “Settings” (orange gear icon). Go to “Storage”. Under “Storage Devices”, click the empty optical drive (it may say “Empty”). On the right, click the disc icon next to “Optical Drive” and choose “Choose a disk file…”. Navigate to your downloaded Ubuntu ISO and select it. Click OK.
Start the VM. Click “Start” (green arrow). The VM will boot from the ISO. You’ll see the Ubuntu welcome screen. Choose your language and click “Install Ubuntu”.
Follow the Ubuntu installer. Select your keyboard layout, then choose “Normal installation” and check “Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware” (optional but recommended). When asked about installation type, choose “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” — this only affects the virtual disk, not your actual Windows drive. Confirm and click “Install Now”.
Set your location and account. Pick your time zone, then enter your name, computer name, username, and a strong password. Choose whether to log in automatically or require a password. Click “Continue”.
Wait for installation to complete. Ubuntu will copy files and install the system. This can take 10-20 minutes. When done, click “Restart Now”. If prompted, press Enter to reboot.
Remove the ISO and log in. After reboot, the VM may try to boot from the ISO again. Go to VirtualBox menu: Devices > Optical Drives > Remove disk from virtual drive. Then press Enter if prompted. You’ll see the Ubuntu login screen. Enter your password and you’re in!
Install VirtualBox Guest Additions (recommended). In the running VM, go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image. Ubuntu will prompt to run the installer. Enter your password when asked. After it finishes, restart the VM. Guest Additions improves screen resolution, clipboard sharing, and drag-and-drop.

Common Mistakes

Not enabling virtualization in BIOS. If you get an “VT-x is not available” error, you need to enable Intel VT-x or AMD-V in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Restart your PC, press the key to enter setup (often F2, Del, or F10), find “Virtualization Technology” and set it to Enabled.
Allocating too little RAM. Giving the VM less than 2 GB makes Ubuntu sluggish or causes it to freeze. Always allocate at least 2 GB, ideally 4 GB.
Using a 32-bit Ubuntu ISO. VirtualBox on modern Windows is 64-bit. Download the 64-bit Ubuntu ISO. If you see “Ubuntu (32-bit)” in the version dropdown, your CPU may not support 64-bit or virtualization is off.
Choosing “Erase disk” on your real hard drive. This is safe inside the VM because it only sees the virtual disk. But be careful not to run the Ubuntu installer on a physical machine with Windows — that would erase your data.
Forgetting to remove the ISO after install. If Ubuntu keeps booting to the installer, you forgot to detach the ISO from the virtual optical drive.

Tips

Use a fixed-size virtual disk for slightly better performance, but it takes up the full space immediately.
Take snapshots in VirtualBox before major changes (Settings > Snapshots). This lets you revert to a working state.
Enable bidirectional clipboard and drag-and-drop in VM Settings > General > Advanced after installing Guest Additions.
Use the “Host Key” (usually Right Ctrl) to release your mouse cursor from the VM window.
If Ubuntu runs slowly, try the “Xubuntu” or “Lubuntu” flavors (lighter desktop environments) instead of the default GNOME.

Troubleshooting

“VT-x is not available” or “AMD-V is not enabled” error. Enter your BIOS/UEFI and enable virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V). Also ensure Hyper-V is disabled in Windows (Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off > uncheck Hyper-V).
Black screen after boot. This often happens with older graphics. In the VM settings, go to Display and increase Video Memory to 128 MB. Also try enabling “3D Acceleration”.
Ubuntu installs but won’t boot. Make sure the ISO is removed from the optical drive. Go to VM Settings > Storage, select the optical drive, and set “Optical Drive” to “Empty”.
Mouse is stuck in the VM window. Press the Right Ctrl key to release the mouse. To make it seamless, install Guest Additions.
No internet in the VM. By default, VirtualBox uses NAT, which should work. If not, go to VM Settings > Network, set “Attached to” to “NAT”, and ensure “Cable connected” is checked.
VM is very slow. Increase RAM and CPU cores in Settings > System. Also close heavy Windows programs while running the VM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is VirtualBox free?
A: Yes, VirtualBox is free and open-source software, licensed under GPL. You can use it for personal or commercial purposes without paying.

Q: Can I install Ubuntu on a USB drive instead?
A: Yes, you can create a bootable USB with tools like Rufus, but that runs Ubuntu directly on your hardware. VirtualBox is safer for testing because it doesn’t touch your Windows installation.

Q: How much disk space will Ubuntu actually use?
A: A minimal Ubuntu installation uses about 8-10 GB, but with updates and software, plan for 15-20 GB. The virtual disk file will grow as you add files.

Q: Can I access my Windows files from inside Ubuntu?
A: Yes, with Guest Additions you can enable shared folders. In VM Settings > Shared Folders, add a Windows folder, and it will appear under /media in Ubuntu.

Q: Will Ubuntu damage my Windows installation?
A: No. The VM is fully isolated. The only risk is if you accidentally run the installer on your physical machine, but that’s not possible from within VirtualBox.

Q: Can I run Ubuntu on a Mac or Linux host with VirtualBox?
A: Yes, VirtualBox runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The steps are nearly identical, just download the appropriate VirtualBox installer.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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