How To Setup an Oracle VM VirtualBox with Ubuntu

Michael Delgado
Aug 9, 2017 · 6 min read

This tutorial lists and explains the steps required to setup an Oracle VM VirtualBox with the Ubuntu operating system. While the interface my change slightly between using a Windows or Mac host machine, it is not impactful to the setup.

VirtualBox 5.1

Ubuntu 16.04

  • Install VirtualBox on your computer. Open the file and it will walk you through the installation process.
  • Open the VirtualBox program and create a new machine by clicking on the New button.
  • Enter the name of your virtual machine. The name can be anything that you like. Example: I named my vm “Mike-del_Ubuntu” but I could have named it “Sally_Jessy_Raphael”
  • Select the Ubuntu operating system and the appropriate Version for your computer. Click ‘Continue’ (Mac) or ‘Next’ (Windows).
  • Select the amount of RAM to allocate for your vm. Click ‘Continue’ (Mac) or ‘Next’ (Windows).
I usually select the most amount possible (or close to it) without going into the orange or red zone.
  • Select (or leave selected) “Create a virtual hard disk now”. Click ‘Create’.
  • Select (or leave selected) “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)”. Click ‘Continue’ (Mac) or ‘Next’ (Windows).
  • Select (or leave selected) “Dynamically allocated”. Click ‘Continue’ (Mac) or ‘Next’ (Windows).
  • Select the appropriate virtual hard disk size. Click ‘Create’.
I often select 200.97GB (for no particular reason but it works)
  • Now your vm should appear on the side panel of the VirtualBox window.
  • Make sure that your vm is highlighted and click on the ‘Settings’ button.
  • The Settings window will open with the “General” option selected. Click on the “Advanced” tab and change the “Shared Clipboard”: & “Drag’n’Drop” from “Disabled” to “Bidirectional”. Click “Ok”
Mac
Windows
  • Next, select the “System” option, unselect the “Floppy” from the “Boot Order” and move it down to the bottom. Click “Ok”.
Mac
Windows
  • Now, click on the “Processor” tab. If you’re able, increase the Processors. Click “Ok”.
Mac
Windows
  • Select the “Display” option and increase the “Video Memory”. Click “Ok”.
Mac
Windows
  • Now, select the “Storage” option and click on the “Empty” disk icon under the “Controller: IDE”.
Mac
Windows
  • Next, (on the right side of the Storage window) click on the disk icon in the “Attributes” section. Select “Choose Virtual Optical Disk File..” and select the Ubuntu file that you previously downloaded.
  • Now, you should see the disk under the “Controller:IDE” section of the “Storage Tree”. Click “Ok”.
Mac
Windows
  • Make sure that your vm is highlighted and click on the ‘Start’ button.
  • Another VirtualBox window will open up. You will be presented with “Try Ubuntu” or “Install Ubuntu” options. Select the “Install Ubuntu” option.
  • Select both options. Click “Continue”.
  • Now, select the “Use LVM with the new Ubuntu installation” option and click “Install Now”.
  • Agree to the changes to disks by clicking “Continue”.
  • Next, select your timezone or accept the pre-selected time zone.
  • Select the “Keyboard layout” or accept the pre-selected layout.
  • Now, you can enter your name, vm computer name, username and password. Remember, your vm name will follow your name in the terminal. So if you want it to remain short do not put long names. Additionally, the name “VirtualBox” doesn’t need to appear in the vm computer name. You can delete it. When you are ready, click “Continue”.
  • Ubuntu will now begin the full installation process. This could take a while depending on your computer.
  • Once the installation process is completed, you will need to restart you vm. Click on the “Restart Now” button.
  • Once prompted, click “ENTER” on your keyboard.
  • Now, login to your vm and click “ENTER” on your keyboard.
  • There’s the Ubuntu desktop!
  • Just a few more loose ends to take care of now!
  • On your host computer (not your vm)at the top of the screen, select the “Devices” option and click “Insert Guest Additions”. Then click “Run”. (You may need to enter your password)
  • Once prompted, click “ENTER” on your keyboard to close the Guest Additions install window.
  • Now, open you your Ubuntu terminal by either searching for it or by pressing Ctrl + option/alt + ‘t’ (Mac or Windows).
  • type “sudo apt-get update” and press “ENTER” on your keyboard (you will need to enter your password).
  • Next, type “sudo apt-get upgrade” and press “ENTER” on your keyboard (you may need to enter your password).
  • Finally, I like to shut the vm down and start it back up one more time.
  • Congratulations! You have yourself an Ubuntu VirtualBox!
Michael Delgado

Written by

Software Developer ~ https://github.com/dev-mike-del

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