Tutorial
How to Install Linux Mint in VirtualBox Virtual Machine
One of the safest and esiest ways to try Linux Mint is in a virtual machine environment. Your real system does not change at all. Here you will learn how to install Linux Mint in VirtualBox.
Linux Mint is considered to be one of the best distributions for new Linux users. It's flagship Cinnamon DE (Desktop Environment) is one of the most popular giving your system a look and feel of a classic windows styled desktop.
If you want to give Linux Mint a try and see if it fits your needs, you could install it in a virtual machine. This way you run Linux Mint inside your current system without changing a thing in your system partition or boot order. It's the safest way to get a feel of what Linux Mint is like before making the commitment to make it your daily driver.
In this beginner's tutorial, I'll show you the steps for installing Linux Mint in VirtualBox including screenshots for each step so you can easily follow the tutorial.
Installing Linux Mint in VirtualBox
Once you install VirtualBox on your system all the steps to install Linux Mint in VirtualBox are the same regardless of the host OS.
Step 1 Download VirtualBx from its website and install it from the downloaded install file.
Next, install the latest version of Linux Mint's ISO file from its website (in this case that's Linux Mint 21 "Vanessa").
Step 2: Once your VirtualBox is up and running we're ready to get started. Click the "New" button then click "Next" on the virtual machine wizard.
- Name: Choose a name for the VM. Something like 'Linux Mint'
- Type: Linux
- Version: Ubuntu (64 bit) because Linux Mint is an Ubuntu based distribution
Before configuring any hardware resource value, make sure that you are aware of the system requirements.
3 GB RAM (memory) is a comfortable amount if your system has 8 GB of RAM total. You can use more RAM if you have 16 GB or higher. Remember that while running Linux Mint in VM the RAM total is shared between the VM and the host system.
RAM configuration
One of the most common confusions is regarding the RAM consumption. Let's say that your Windows system has 8 GB of RAM (memory) total and you assign 3 GB (3000 MB) of RAM to Linux Mint in VirtualBox.
While running Linux Mint in VM, your real system (called the host system) will have 5 GB of RAM available for use.
If you're not running Linux Mint in VM at that time all 8 GB of RAM will be available for the Host system.
VirtualBox lists memory size in MB (megabytes)
Step 3: Next, choose a virtual hard disk (storage)
Choose the virtual storage allocation method (Dynamically allocated is recommended). Set your storage location for the virtual hard disk by browsing the drive then select where you want it stored then specify the size of the virtual hard disk (anything from 12 to 20 GB of space).
Step 4: (optional advanced settings)
Your new VM will run without these settings but it will run much better with them.
Your new VM will run without these settings but it will run much better with them.
Once your virtual machine has been created, click on the settings button in the menu.
Then click system in the menu then the Processor tab and chose how many threads you would like to allocate.
My system is an 8 core with 2 threads per core and I use 4 threads. For a 4 core (Quad) or less use half of the available threads.
Once you have configured everything click "OK"
Step 5: In the VM system settings, go to storage (in the left sidebar). Click on the Optical Drive empty as shown below
You'll be asked to browse to the Linux Mint ISO file you downloaded earlier.
Once you select your ISO, click on the start button and that's it. Now the ISO will start running as if you are booting from a CD in an disk drive or a live USB.
Next, you'll need to press enter to start the Linux Mint install
Choose the language you want for your Linux Mint Virtual Machine.
Then your keyboard layout
You may chose to check the box to download and install any third party software like media codecs needed during the installation.
WAIT WHAT? earase the disk?
This step may seem scary.
Let me assure you that it won't do any damage to your actual disk. Remember that you are in a virtual disk you created in step 3.
It is the virtual disk it will erase and not your real system disk.
Next select your time zone and click continue. You can also change this setting after Linux Mint is fully installed.
Time to create your user account, your virtual Linux Mint host name and password. You can choose to have it log in automatically at this point but you will need the password for other things like third party software installation and software updates.
Now we wait for the system to install. You will get a Welcome screen with a progress bar at the bottom.
Once the installation is complete you will be asked to restart.
Restarting is in the VM, not your host system.
Restarting is in the VM, not your host system.
When you reach this step Linux Mint is fully installed and ready to use.
Now to use your virtual machine, click on the start button.
You can now explore a fully functional system and this time when you shut down Linux Mint you'll use the start menu and shut down normally. It will turn off VirtualBox as well.
Enjoy Linux Mint in VirtualBox. I trust that following this tutorial was fairly easy. If you have any issues following along or don't understand something here, please comment below and I will respond.
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