If Linux Mint is the first time that Windows users have tried Linux, then Elementary OS is for Mac OS users. While the underlying hardware is not at all the same, the custom desktop interface called Patheon is quite reminiscent of the Mac experience. In this guide, you will learn how to install Elementary OS on VirtualBox in Windows 10.
Elementary OS
Now that I’ve listed a gorgeous Linux distribution above, elementary OS is probably the most popular good-looking Linux distribution that’s inspired by macOS.
And if it’s not a “macOS clone” in any way, it’s trying to concentrate on the user interface that’s close to how macOS does (or should). If you’re coming from the Apple ecosystem, you’d love to try elementary OS for sure.
Again, it’s based on Ubuntu, but you get all the perks of it along with a rich user interface. Elementary OS features the desktop environment of the Pantheon. You will note the similarity to the macOS desktop immediately.
The operating system is zero distracting, so you can just concentrate on your job. It comes with a very limited amount of pre-installed software. So, no new person is going to be repulsed by massive bloat. Yet it has everything you need out of the box. The App Center is also exceptional in contrast to other Linux distributions.
- macOS inspired user interface
- Focuses on rich user experience
- Easy to use
So, without further ado, here are the steps to install Elementary OS on VirtualBox virtual machine Windows 10:
Step 1. Download Elementary OS ISO File
First, you have to download the ISO installer image of Elementary OS from the official website of Elementary OS. For the purpose of this guide, I am going to download Elementary OS 5.1 Core ISO file.
Step 2. Download & Install VirtualBox To Install Elementary OS
Oracle VM VirtualBox has been developed by Oracle Corporation as a free and open-source virtualization framework. Using Windows, macOS and Linux, Solaris, as well as OpenSolaris you can mount the VirtualBox. This allows users to build virtual machines to run other operating systems. “It supports guest development and management of Windows and Linux running virtual machines and restricted virtualization on Apple hardware of macOS guests.” For certain guest operations, there is also a bundle of guest add-ons, which is typical of improving performance, especially graphics.” “Guest Additions”
A virtual machine is a virtual system or program that offers the same features as physical machines (eg, a computer system with its own CPU, memory, network interfaces, and storage capacity). A virtual machine like a real device is used to run applications or OS.
Download VirtualBox for Windows 10
Step 3. Create a New Virtual Machine to Install Elementary OS
Once you have downloaded and installed both the Elementary OS ISO and VirtualBox, open-up the virtual machine and click on the “New” option.
New Virtual Machine
Type a name for your virtual machine with its location. Based on the name you entered, VirtualBox will try to predict the “Type” and “Version“. Otherwise, from the drop-down menu, select “Linux” as the type and “Ubuntu (64-bit)” as the version and click on the “Next” button.
On the following screen, choose how much RAM (the amount of memory) you want to allocate to your VM, and then click Next.
Select the “Create a virtual hard disk now” option and click on the “Create” button to continue.
Select the “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” option and click “Next“.
On the next screen, if you want a faster setup, select Dynamically allocated. If you want faster performance (which we recommend), select Fixed size, and then click Next. If you don’t know which one to choose from then leave it as it is.
Select the amount of space for your virtual machine and click the “Create” button.
Step 4. Install Elementary OS via VirtualBox
Now, your virtual machine has been successfully created and it is time to install Elementary OS on it.
Go back to VirtualBox, and then click Start.
A new window opens so you can do this manually. Click the folder with the green up arrow.
Click the Add button and locate the Elementary ISO file and then click Open.
Make sure that Elementary OS ISO is selected and click Choose.
Now, you are ready to install Elementary OS via VirtualBox on your Windows 10 PC, click Start.
Once the VM has started, you will be asked whether you want to just try the OS or install it. Select Install elementary.
Select your keyboard layout and click on Continue.
Check the Download Update and Install Third-Party software options. This will make the experience much smoother. Certain media encoding schemes are not available on Ubuntu and its derivatives by default. This third-party software is needed for multimedia and driver support.
Next comes the disk partitioning. Since we are using a virtual disk this is not going to be an issue. Just select the Erase Disk and Install Elementary OS option and click Install Now. Click Continue.
.Now, select your location and click on Continue.
Type in your personal details and click on Continue.
Wait for the installation to finish. It may take a few minutes to download the updates and third-party software, install the OS and then ask you to reboot the system. When finished, click Restart Now.
Log in with your username and password.
Now, Elementary OS is ready.
Install Elementary OS on VirtualBox
Wrapping Up
That’s it. This is how you can install Elementary OS on Windows 10 via VirtualBox virtual machine. Meanwhile, the process is very easy and it might seem a bit tricky while following the above-mentioned steps but that’s not the case. If you faced any kind of problem feel free to contact us in the comment section below.
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