Setting Up A Virtual Machine

Virtual machines allow one or more 'guest' operating systems to run inside another. This is useful when you need access to multiple operating systems, or for test purposes. In this video I use the Oracle open source application VirtualBox to create virtual machines in Windows 10 and Linux Mint.

[ExplainingComputers]

As several people have noted below, when you have created a virtual machine in VirtualBox it is very handy to install what are known as “Guest Additions” in the guest operating system to improve performance (eg to allow use of full-screen mode, and the sharing of a folders with the host operating system). Some Linux distros (such as Linux Mint as shown in the video) do not need Guest Additions installed to run full-screen, and as the video was already long and involved, I chose not to cover Guest Additions in the video. In retrospect, this was a mistake on my behalf. However, in most instances Guest Additions install very easily as follows.

Boot up your virtual machine (not in full-screen mode) and in the top VirtualBox menu select “Devices” and then “Insert Guest Additions CD Image”. This mounts a virtual CD in your guest operating system, which should autorun (or ask you if it can autorun). So then just follow through the install process, including the involved reboot of the guest operating system, and Guest Additions will be added to your guest system. If the virtual CD does not autorun, navigate to it and run the appropriate file (eg it is “VBoxWindowsAdditons.exe” in Windows). Enjoy! :)

[jonathanmaybury]

Chris, You are amazing, the way you teach is wonderful, everything is laid out so crystal clear and precise, who in this world could not learn loads of useful thing from you once they have seen your video, I for one, know exactly what to do, if only all teachers were as good as you, the world be full of people that could do anything that they put their mind to, once they have got the know how.

[spikekent]

I've pondered setting up virtual machines in the past, but never really done anything about it. Now I know what I'm doing, I will delve into it for sure. Thanks for another superb video Chris.

[pierrec]

I found out that if you want to access your VM from outside, or from another VM, set the network interface to "Bridged" in the guest. You need that if you want to use the VM as a server, and the default is NAT. Excellent presentation.

[biscaya]

Thanks for making it all look really easy and you explained everything really well. And that XP-shut down sound made me smile..memories!

[daggawagga]

This channel should be deemed as essential as any public utility. Thank you for taking the time to make so many subjects simple!

[markconger]

Bonus tip: the virtual machine created by VirtualBox or other virtualization software is simply a set of files. Those files can be copied to another computer and the virtual machine run there as well. (Be sure to shutdown the virtual machine before copying the files.)

So, for example, you have Linux Mint in a VirtualBox virtual machine on your Windows computer. You also have a Mac computer wih VirtualBox installed. Copy the files of the Linux Mint virtual machine folder to the Mac in its virtual machine folder. For the specific details of how to do this use Google or YouTube to find examples.

It is also possible to do this with VirtualBox on one computer and VMware Player on another. Although, it gets a little complicated. Again, Google or YouTube to find specific tutorials.

[richardpalmanteer]

I have installed virtual Box on my Windows 10 Pro laptop. Getting ready to run it on this laptop. Found this video doing a search on YouTube which helped me get the program ready to run. Thanks Chris for this video helped a lot. Now I can run some Linux distro's without having to install them on my hard drive.

[yash]

Important timestamps (for me:)
4:52 Virtual Box preferences
5:16 Change the default Machine Folder to something non-SSD
5:44 Creating a VM
7:04 Starting the VM
8:21 Installing the guest OS
10:14 Installation finished

[Okeanikor]

Dear Christopher,
I just write to you to thank you for your web site and YouTube videos. It is really instructive and easy to understand. Moreover, watching you help me to improve my english.
Thanks to you, I discover so many things I didn’t know ! I realy enjoy and apreciate what you do to develop our knowledge.
Philippe, a new french follower.

[lokx_cyclone]

Who else is here for tricking scammers in India?

[manickn]

I have known about this for over a decade but never really got the inspiration to try it since I don't really need it. This video has peaked my interest though i still do not have a need for a virtual machine.

Great presentation. Appreciated the info presented.

[imeakdo]

I think you should make a video about hypervisors in general, and explain how they work and how they are used for actual work (like sharing a server with many clients for example)

[JsR-and]

Thanks for another straightforward video.

A tip. After setting up the VM, do not go into settings for that VM before starting it. If you do then the First Start Wizard does not run. You then have no easy way to install an ISO file. I had to 'remove' my VM and recreate it. Then the wizard ran fine.

[markconger]

Important note: it is not advisable to use external storage such as a USB hard drive or flash drive for the virtual machine folder. Performance of a virtual machine is directly a function of disk speed. Flash drives are too slow and can be worn out pretty quickly with the amount of disk writes the virtualization software makes. External USB hard drives, while not prone to wear out like flash drives, do suffer speed issues due to the bottleneck of the USB port. Also, if the USB drive gets accidentally disconnected the virtual machine files may get corrupted.

[Ziggie]

I'm so, so very grateful to you! I was completely frustrated by not being able to restore a Dell Inspiron 1501 running Windows Vista Business. This video was helpful in finding a solution. Many thanks!!!

[artmcteagle]

I'm an old codger, but I have to say your Videos instil enthusiasm and experimental spirit! Full of useful info, clarity, no fluff, and as a big bonus, I find your sense of humour engaging, the british charm comes thru. I'm dead keen to try this out, and look forward to your videos on different OSs. I haven't yet subscribed to any channel, but I can feel myself wavering/cracking. Top notch, best computer channel on the web! Would VM be an alternative to Wine? If VM is not running, I assume the resources are then returned to the main OS.

[EnderCrypt]

really awesome that you made this video so people that dont know about virtual operating systems, that wanna try linux or such, can feel confident and try it whitout any risk

[tonyweavers]

That's brilliant! I've wondered about VMs but not sure what was involved. I'm going to try this. Thanks Chris.

[nathancresswell]

Interesting video, I watch a lot of scam baiting videos and I've always wondered how they make and prepare a VM.