Alex Ruben
How To Install Ubuntu 24.04 LTS in VirtualBox in 2025
If you’re thinking about trying out Ubuntu 24.04 LTS without risking your main OS, running it in VirtualBox is pretty much the easiest way. No extra fuss, no messing with partitions—just a virtual sandbox. Here’s how I finally got it working after some messing around.
Step 1: Grab the Software
First, you need VirtualBox and the Ubuntu ISO. Nothing fancy here, just makes sense:
- VirtualBox: The virtualization program. Download from virtualbox.org. Choose the right version for your OS—Windows, Mac, Linux. On one setup it failed the first time, on another, it just worked, so you might have to fiddle a bit.
- Ubuntu 24.04 LTS ISO: The disk image. Head over to ubuntu.com/download and pick the desktop version. Make sure to download the right architecture—most likely 64-bit.
Pro tip: It’s easier if you download everything first, so you aren’t hunting files mid-installation. Also, if you want to experiment with different flavors (like Kubuntu or Xubuntu), download those ISOs too—just in case.
Step 2: Check Out Ubuntu Flavors
Real talk, Ubuntu isn’t just Ubuntu—there are flavors meant for different tastes and hardware. For instance:
- Kubuntu: KDE desktop, pretty modern, lots of customization.
- Xubuntu: Lightweight, runs faster on older or less powerful hardware.
- Lubuntu: Reduces resource usage even more—good for really low-spec stuff.
This saves you a headache later, especially if your system isn’t a beast. Choose what fits best.
Step 3: Create Your VM
Next, fire up VirtualBox and make a new VM because, well, that’s what it’s for:
- Open VirtualBox, click New.
- Type in a name—”Ubuntu 24.04″ works. Select Linux as type and Ubuntu (64-bit) as version.
- Set RAM—2GB is solid enough for home use. Honestly, 1GB works, but it’s sluggish.
- Create a virtual hard disk—Default VDI, dynamically allocated, at least 20GB.
Trust me, on some setups this step weirdly fails the first time, but just restart VirtualBox and try again. Usually, it’s just Windows being Windows.
Step 4: Jump Into Settings & Mounted ISO
Before booting, tweak some settings:
- Head over to Settings > Storage.
- Under Controller: IDE, click the disk icon to add a new optical drive, then browse to your downloaded ISO file.
At this point, I usually enable some performance tweaks:
- Go to System > Motherboard. Make sure the boot order includes Optical first, then Hard Disk. Turn off EFI unless you know what you’re doing.
- In Display, increase video memory to at least 128MB.
Step 5: Boot and Install
Start the VM—that’s the big green arrow. If everything’s set up right, it boots into the Ubuntu installer from the ISO. Here’s why this helps:
– Provides a clean install environment that doesn’t touch your main OS.
– Easy to revert if you mess up.
If the VM jumps straight into a black screen or flickers—check your ISO mount again, or maybe your video memory. Sometimes VirtualBox has quirks with certain host graphics cards.
Step 6: Installing Ubuntu — the Fine Details
Follow the prompts. It’s pretty straightforward: pick your language, timezone, keyboard layout, and then, the disk partitioning—choose “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” (which, in VM, just means using the virtual drive). Set your username and password, and let it run. A tip: make sure you’ve allocated enough RAM and disk space; otherwise, the install will crawl.
On some setups, the installer pauses or stalls—resilience helps here. Just restart the VM and try again. Sometimes, the Guest Additions or network initializations take a couple of tries, so don’t panic.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Here’s what’s often overlooked:
- Make sure your host machine has virtualization enabled in BIOS—otherwise, VirtualBox throws a fit or runs super slow.
- If networking isn’t working after install, try switching between NAT and bridged modes in VirtualBox network settings. Usually, NAT is fine for most.
- Adding Guest Additions during or after install really boosts performance, so don’t skip that step—just click Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image in the VM window.
And yeah, VirtualBox network issues are common—sometimes you need to restart the host or reset the network adapter in VM host settings. Not sure why it works, but it does.
Finished? Yep, You’re In!
Once you log in, Ubuntu 24.04 should be ready to go. You can explore, install software, or do whatever you wanted without risking your main system. It’s actually kind of nice to have this isolated test bed for Linux—if you’re into that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just install Ubuntu directly on my PC instead of in a VM?
Yeah, but that means wiping your existing OS or setting up dual boot. VirtualBox keeps everything sandboxed, which is safer if you’re just experimenting.
Why does my VM run so slow sometimes?
Could be RAM, CPU cores, or guest additions not installed. Also, host hardware specs matter a lot. Just adjusting the allocated resources or enabling hardware acceleration in BIOS can help cleaning things up.
Is VirtualBox safe for testing software?
Absolutely. It’s isolated. If a program is shady or bricking, it’s not going to mess with your main system.
Summary
- Download VirtualBox + Ubuntu ISO.
- Create and tweak your VM, mount the ISO.
- Boot, install, and enjoy Ubuntu without touching your main OS.
- Adjust VirtualBox settings for better performance if needed.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Good luck—getting Ubuntu in VirtualBox is a bit quirky, but definitely doable.