Can You Run Linux VM on Windows 10?

If you are a developer, you may need to use multiple operating systems for different purposes. For example, you might need to use Linux to develop a web application or run a Docker container. However, it is not always possible or convenient to have multiple physical machines or dual boot your system. In this scenario, virtualization can come in handy. In this article, we will discuss how you can run a Linux virtual machine on your Windows 10 system.

Step 1: Install a Virtualization Software

The first step is to install a virtualization software that allows you to create and run virtual machines. There are many virtualization software available in the market, but we recommend using Oracle VirtualBox as it is free, easy to use and available for multiple platforms. You can download and install VirtualBox from their official website.

Step 2: Download a Linux Distribution

Next, you need to download a Linux distribution that you want to run on your virtual machine. There are many Linux distributions available, but for this tutorial, we will use Ubuntu, which is one of the most popular and user-friendly distributions. You can download the latest version of Ubuntu from their official website.

Step 3: Create a New Virtual Machine

Once you have installed VirtualBox and downloaded the Ubuntu ISO file, you can create a new virtual machine by following these steps:

1. Open VirtualBox and click on the "New" button to create a new virtual machine.
2. Give your virtual machine a name and select "Linux" as the type and "Ubuntu (64-bit)" as the version.
3. Allocate enough RAM to your virtual machine. We recommend using at least 2GB of RAM.
4. Create a virtual hard disk by selecting the default options.
5. In the "Settings" window, select "Storage" and add the Ubuntu ISO file to the virtual machine's optical drive.

Step 4: Install Ubuntu on the Virtual Machine

Now, you can start the virtual machine and install Ubuntu by following these steps:

1. Start the virtual machine by clicking on the "Start" button.
2. Select the "Install Ubuntu" option and follow the installation wizard.
3. Choose your language, location, and keyboard layout.
4. Create a username and password for your Ubuntu installation.
5. Wait for the installation to complete.

Step 5: Install VirtualBox Guest Additions

VirtualBox Guest Additions are a set of drivers and utilities that improve the performance and usability of your virtual machine. You can install VirtualBox Guest Additions on your Ubuntu virtual machine by following these steps:

1. Start your Ubuntu virtual machine.

2. In the VirtualBox menu, go to "Devices" > "Insert Guest Additions CD image."

3. Open a terminal window and run the following command to mount the CD image:

   sudo mount /dev/cdrom /mnt

4. Run the following command to install VirtualBox Guest Additions:

   sudo /mnt/VBoxLinuxAdditions.run

5. Reboot your virtual machine.

Step 6: Use Your Linux Virtual Machine

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Ubuntu on your virtual machine and installed VirtualBox Guest Additions. Now, you can use your Linux virtual machine just like a physical machine. You can install software, run commands, and develop applications just like you would on a regular Linux machine.

Running a Linux virtual machine on your Windows 10 system is a convenient way to use multiple operating systems without the need for multiple physical machines or dual booting. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create and run a Linux virtual machine using VirtualBox.

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That's it for this post. Keep practicing and have fun. Leave your comments if any.