Running a Elementary OS VM in Virtualbox 🌱

  1. Download Elementary OS Download
  2. Launch Virtualbox
  3. Create a New VM by selecting Machine > New

    Name: Elementary OS
    Machine Folder: C:\VMs
    Type: Linux
    Version: Ubuntu (64-bit)
    Memory Size: 4096 MB
    Hard disk: Create a virtual hard disk now

  4. Click Create
  5. On the Create Virtual Hard Disk dialog

    Name the virtual disk image Elementary OS.vdi
    File size: 30 GB
    Hard disk file type: VDI
    Storage on physical hard disk: Dynamically Allocated

  6. Click Create
  7. Select the VM and Click Settings
  8. Select System > Processor
  9. Give the VM at least 2 processors
  10. Select Display
  11. Slide the Video Memory to 128 MB
  12. Select Network
  13. Set the attached to dropdown to Bridged Adapter
  14. Select Storage
  15. Click on the CD-ROM drive
  16. Select the disc dropdown to the right > Choose a virtual optical disc file...
  17. Browse to and select the downloaded Elementary OS .iso file
  18. Click OK
  19. Make sure the Elementary OS VM is selected and click Start > Normal
  20. The Install dialog should load automatically
  21. Select a language on the left, then click the Install elementary button
  22. Select a keyboard layout > Click Continue
  23. Choose whether to install updates during the installation > Click Continue
  24. Click Install Now then Continue to confirm the partitions
  25. Select a Region > Click continue
  26. Enter a name, computer name, username and password > Click Continue
  27. Wait while Elementary OS copies files and installs
  28. Click Restart Now to complete the installation, the VM will reboot
  29. Press Enter at the remove installation medium prompt
  30. Login with the username and password created earlier in the process
  31. Click Skip All on the Welcome to elementary OS! dialog
  32. Welcome to Elementary OS

Optional Steps

  1. Click the Applications button > Search "terminal" > Click Terminal
  2. Run the following commands to install updates
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get upgrade
    sudo apt-get clean
    sudo apt-get install gcc make perl
  3. Select Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image...
  4. If the installation autoruns, select Run
  5. Open the Files application > Select the Guest Additions Disc > Right click in the white space > Open In > Terminal
  6. In the Terminal window run the following commands
    sudo sh ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
    sudo reboot now
  7. The VM will reboot
  8. Upon rebooting, you can now full screen the VM and the internal resolution will automatically change to match the window size
  9. Log back in