Microsoft announced Windows 11 on 24 June 2021 and the Windows 11 ISO images yet to be released. Meanwhile, if you want to run and test Windows 11 to see how it looks or works then it’s better to install it on a virtual machine like VirtualBox. However, in this post, you’re going to learn how to install Windows 11 on VirtualBox in Windows 10.
In the meantime, Microsoft’s next operating system, Windows 11, was just launched. It is Windows 10’s successor, and it will ultimately replace it. However, the operating system is still under development and is only accessible as an update to Windows 10 Insiders with a Win 11 compatible hardware configuration.
Things to Consider
- Better to install Windows 11 as a virtual machine. If you have a spare computer which you can do anything.
- Do not attempt it on the workplace or domain network because it is a leaked/early/beta version.
- As per Microsoft, ensure that you can assign enough hardware resources to the Windows 11 virtual machine.
- When you install the most recent operating system with enhanced graphics capabilities, you may notice some lagging (particularly in graphics/video) inside the virtual machine.
Install Windows 11 on VirtualBox
To install and run Windows 11 on VirtualBox you’ll need the following things:
- Windows 11 ISO Image. Unfortunately, we can’t provide the ISO image as it’s not available on Microsoft.
- VirtualBox.
- Virtualization technology (VT) must be enabled.
- Enough hardware resources on the host computer.
Here are the steps to install Windows 11 on VirtualBox in Windows 10:
Step 1. Install VirtualBox
In this first step, you’ll need to download and install VirtualBox on your Windows 10 PC. The installation process is quite easy, just follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 2. Create Windows 11 Virtual Machine on VBox
- Launch VirtualBox and select New.
- Type the VM name Windows 11, select Type Microsoft Windows and version Windows 10 64-bit.
- Allocate the RAM size using the slider.
- Select Create a virtual hard disk now and click Create.
- Click VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) and click on the Next.
- Select the Dynamically allocated and click on the Next.
- Allocate the disk size using the slider and then click Create. Allocate at least 64GB of hard disk space or more as per your requirements.
- Click the Settings to edit Windows 11 VM.
- Go to System > Processor and increase the processors.
- Go to Storage, select Empty and click on the blue disk icon click on the Choose/Create a Virtual Optical Disk.
- Select Add and then choose the Windows 11 ISO image file and open it.
- At last, select Choose and OK respectively.
Step 3. Start VM to Install Windows 11
After creating Windows 11 virtual machine, click Start.
Select the language and click Next.
Click on the Install Now button to start the process.
As we just want to test Windows 11, select I don’t have a product key and click on the Next button.
Choose your preferred Windows 11 Edition and click Next.
Accept License terms.
Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
Click New, allocate disk size and click Apply. Click OK.
Click Next and wait for the installation process to be completed.
Step 4. Complete Windows 11 Setup
Once Windows 11 is installed, just follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- Select your region.
- Select the Keyboard layout.
- Select Set up for personal use and click Next.
- Add your Microsoft account and click Next
- Choose your privacy settings for your device and click Accept.
- Finally, Windows 11 is successfully installed on VirtualBox in Windows 10.
Install VirtualBox Guest Additions & Enable Drag and Drop in Windows 11
Install VirtualBox Guest Additions
- Click on the Devices option given in the VirtualBox menu and select Insert Guest Additions CD Images.
- Go to This PC or File Explorer and select CD drive with Virtualbox Guest Additions.
- Now, double-click on the VBox Windows Additions file. Follow the installation wizard. Once it gets installed Restart your Windows 11 system.
Enable Drag and Drop & Shared Clipboard
- Click Devices > Shared Clipboard and select Bidirectional.
- Click Devices > Drag and Drop > Bidirectional.
That’s it. This is how you can install and run Windows 11 on VirtualBox in Windows 10. VirtualBox is the greatest tool for testing unofficial or new operating systems on the market without having to install them on a physical machine and risk damaging it.
Surprisingly, the latest version of VirtualBox works well with Windows 11 as a guest OS. The guest addition was successfully deployed, and the virtual machine now has appropriate extra features and enhancements.
Instead of going for dual boot, if you have adequate real computer hardware resources, you may boost the VM configuration to maximum and experience the newest Windows 11 on full screen like a normal OS.
Read More:
How to Fix This PC Can’t Run Windows 11 While Upgrading
How to Install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation in Windows 10