Arch Linux Install Guide Using VirtualBox 🌱

1. Download Arch Linux Download
2. Launch Virtualbox
3. Create a New VM by selecting Machine > New

   Name: Arch
   Machine Folder: C:\VMs
   Type: Linux
   Version: Arch (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 Arch.vdi
   File size: 40 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 Arch .iso file
18. Click OK
19. Make sure the Arch VM is selected and click Start > Normal
20. At the Arch Linux menu, select Arch Linux install medium > Press Enter
21. Run the following commands to install Arch Linux on the VBOX HARDDISK
    # list disk drives, note the identifier for VBOX HARDDISK
    fdisk -l
    # partition the drive, change the identifier if needed
    fdisk /dev/sda
    # create a new partition
    n
    # set the partition type to primary
    p
    # default sector
    2048
    # set the partition size
    +40GB
    # create a swap partition
    n
    # set the partition type to primary
    p
    # default sector
    Press Enter to accept default
    # set the partition size
    Press Enter to accept default
    # write the partitions
    w
    # print out the partitions
    fdisk -l
    # create ext4 root partition
    mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda1
    # confirm proceeding with the change if prompted
    y
    # create swap partition
    mkswap /dev/sda2
    # confirm proceeding with the change if prompted
    y
    # mount the root partition
    mount /dev/sda1 /mnt
    # enable swap
    swapon /dev/sda2
    # run pacstrap installation
    pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware
    # generate fstab file
    genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab
    # change root to the /mnt directory
    arch-chroot /mnt
    # set the hostname
    echo archlinux-vm > /etc/hostname
    # install grub bootloader
    pacman -S grub
    grub-install /dev/sda
    # create grub config
    grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
    # install gnome desktop environment
    pacman -S gnome
    # enable required services
    systemctl enable gdm.service
    systemctl enable NetworkManager.service
    # set root passwd
    passwd
    # shutdown
    exit
    shutdown now
22. Right click the Arch Linux VM > Settings...
23. Select Storage from the left navigation menu
24. Remove the Arch Linux installation medium from the optical drive
25. Click OK
26. Right click the Arch Linux VM > Start > Normal Start
27. At the gnome login, login with username root and the password set during the installation

Install VirtualBox Guest Additions (Optional)

1. Run the following command in a terminal window
   pacman -S virtualbox-guest-utils