How To Setup Windows To Run On Ubuntu

Run Windows On Ubuntu Worry-Free

With VirtualBox you can run a complete Windows operating system on you Ubuntu machine. The great news is that you will never have to worry about viruses or virus programs again! Here's how . . .

What You'll Need:

1. Microsoft Windows (XP, 7 or any other version), if you did not buy it you need an actual licensed copy, so you do need to buy this first. (FYI - An OEM copy that came with the machine is not legally a valid candidate for virtualization.)

2. Ubuntu installed on your PC.

3. Install VirtualBox OSE (instructions below).

Install VirtualBox OSE

1. Login to Ubuntu with an account that has administrator privileges.

2.
a. If running Ubuntu version 9.04, go to "Applications > Add/Remove...". From the Show: drop down list, choose "All available applications". In the Search field, type "virtualbox ose". In the Application window, you will see the application "VirtualBox OSE" appear. Click the radio box to the left of the name to select it. A text box will open, click Enable. Then in the "Add/Remove Applications" window, click Apply Changes. A text box will appear asking you to confirm. Click Apply.

b. If running Ubuntu version 9.10 or 10.04, go to "Applications > Ubuntu Software Center. In the Search field, type "virtualbox ose". Click the right arrow to the right of the application name. Click Install.

For security, you will be prompted to enter your user password. After doing so and clicking Authenticate, the application will install. This will take about 2 minutes.

a. If running Ubuntu version 9.04, after installation, a window will open to notify you "New application has been installed." Click Close.

b. If running Ubuntu version 9.10 or 10.04, after installation, you will return to the main install window. Close this window.

3. Access VirtualBox OSE by going to "Applications > Accessories." Right-click on the text "VirtualBox OSE" to "Add this launcher to [the top] panel". You will notice a new icon for VirtualBox on the top panel. This will make it quicker to access VirtualBox.

4. Setup VirtualBox by clicking on the VirtualBox OSE icon to open the VirtualBox OSE window. Click New. Click Next to proceed with the setup wizard.

5. Give your virtual computer a name. By default, the setup is set for Windows XP (other operating systems are allowed by choosing them from the drop down menu). Click Next.

6. Choose the amount of memory you want you virtual computer to have (remember that this memory is only used when VirtualBox is running). The the minimum amount of memory recommended is 192 MB. If your computer has less than 384 MB of memory, you will want to add a larger memory chip if available. You should allot the most memory possible, but no more than half the memory you have on your computer. Click Next.

7. Create a virtual boot hard drive. Click New. Click Next. I recommend keeping the default "Dynamically expanding storage". Using this option, your virtual computer will only use the allotted disk space as you need it. Click Next. Type in the size for you hard drive. Click Next. Click Finish. Your new virtual hard drive has been created. A summary of your setup will be displayed. Click Finish.

8. Mount the CD drive. In order to install Windows disk, you will need VirtualBox to recognize you CD drive. Click on "CD/DVD-ROM". In the new "- Settings" window, click the radio box to the left of the text "Mount CD/DVD Drive". Also click the radio box to the left of the text "Enable Passthrough." Click OK.

9. Enable audio by clicking on "Audio" (if any of the following setting have been done, leave it alone). Click the radio box to the left of the text "Enable Audio." Change the Host Audio Driver setting to "PulseAudio." Click OK.

10. Setup your host key. Press and hold <Ctrl> while pressing <G>. In the "Virtual - Settings" window, choose Input. By default the host key is the "Right Ctrl" button. Since this button may be used for other functions, I recommend choosing the right windows logo button instead. Click on the text in the white area of the Host Key form. Press the right windows logo button. The text will change to "Right WinKey". Click OK.

11. Insert your Windows disk into your computer. Click the green Start arrow. Your virtual computer window will open. A "VirtualBox - Information" window box will appear in the middle of this window. Anytime this happens for various messages, you can click the radio box to the left of the text "Do not show this message again" and click OK (or Capture if not displaying the text OK). Double click on the virtual computer window to capture your mouse within the virtual terminal. Proceed with the normal Windows setup.

12. Optional. You may want to enable VirtualBox to work with your USB drive. Follow this link for the process how.