Running Windows in Linux: VirtualBox Configuration

Installing VirtualBox 6.1 in Linux and setting up a Windows virtual machine with Guest Additions, shared folders, shared clipboard and USB support.

The process shown in this video will work in any modern x86 Linux distribution, including Linux Mint, Ubuntu and Zorin OS. However, you cannot run VirtualBox on an ARM-based computer, such as a Raspberry Pi.

If you like this video, and/or are considering transitioning to Linux, you may find useful my videos:

Linux Mint 19 for Windows Users:

Zorin OS 15 for Windows Users:

Note that the virtual Windows 10 machine shown in this video was created for test purposes only, and deleted after a few hours. I therefore decided not to go through the activation process, although I did have an FPP license available to cover its use. A Windows virtual machine needs to be licensed like any other Windows installation.

#VirtualBox #Linux #Windows #ExplainingComputers

[digicinematic]

"I almost lost the will to live during that installation." - Christopher Barnatt

[brightbaelfire]

This is how windows is meant to be used...

[dougr.]

Another nice video, Chris. Because of this channel, I've been using Linux Mint for a year and I've had a nice experience with it. Thank you, sir.

[JoseLopez-ozxm]

Chris, that was the best VB tutorial I've ever seen thanks so much. Great work as always.

[chrwl]

As a long-time Virtualbox user, I must say that this video did not disappoint. Cutting straight to the pertinent information as we've come to expect from your channel, Chris. Providing support at work requires me to use Windows, and this is the solution I use every day (albeit currently with Ubuntu 18.04 LTS as the host).

[keithmarsh]

This really is one of the simplest and nicest guides out there. You should be commended sir.

[AndrewJackson]

I like the way you explain all this tutorial... Very clear and straight to the point. Greetings from Romania(ex-Roumania)

[PS_Tube]

One of the best video to setup a perfect Windows Virtual Machine.
EC Sundays never disappoints. Thank you for making these videos.

[DailyBeatings]

I've been running Windows in VMs under Ubuntu for the last ten years. It's so much easier to handle Windows in a VM, especially when an update chokes and borks everything. At that point you just restore from backup and a few minutes later you're back in business.

[SuperHaunts]

In my humble opinion, one of your finest videos! I'm definitely bookmarking this to keep it handy to share with others as well. You've managed to cover a couple of items that I have missed attempting to get past in Linux Mint prior to your nicely detailed training video!

[KowboyUSA]

This could be very helpful in running Windows applications while switching to Linux as a primary OS.

[happysunshinydays]

Whenever I've searched for computer vids to assist me, your videos have helped, this one's another good one, cheers.

[silviocesarsilvaoliveira]

Congratulations Chris your explanations are just fantastic, just unbelievable the domain and security that you demonstrate when making your videos congratulations continue to bring excellent quality content to YouTube !!!

[dominicg]

Setting up a virtual box can be a daunting task and I wasn't looking forward to it even though I knew I needed it. You made this much easier for me, even though some steps were slightly different because of newer updates. This was relatively painless, thank you.

[albundy]

Best Video for a Windows-User planning moving to Linux, but still needs some Stuff from Windows.

[MaggieKeizai]

Thank you, sir. Right as I've just ordered a fresh new laptop with plans for a win7 VM on it. I never understood why USB wouldn't work on my dabbling with VMs before, so this was just what I needed.

[bluehornet]

Brilliant video CJB, absolutely first-rate. I've done all these things over the years, but not for awhile...so your video was VERY helpful. I just created a new KDE-based dev machine, and need to be able to run some Adobe software--so the part about the shared folders was awesome. Thanks so much for making this video. It saved me a lot of time!

[alexk]

this is great for people that still run win7 and think of switching to linux but need to use some windows only programms!

[flowntn]

VirtualBox - this crystal clear video whilst Linux focused is equally applicable to any OS host, with the guest being any OS including a virtual machine of the host OS for testing and other firewalled purposes . My usage scenario is Mac OS10 host, with a need to be able to run Windows only apps (current and legacy going back to WIndows Xp era). My virtualisation journey began with Parallels on my desktop, but have been blown away by VirtualBox on my MacBook running W10 pro. And it’s FREE.

[chriholt]

Great presentation Chris. I didn’t know about the USB setup steps - I always appreciate learning something new, thanks!