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How to Install Elementary OS on Virtual Box

Published: December 1, 2025 (Updated: Dec 1, 2025)

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Test Drive Elementary OS: A Step-by-Step Guide to Installation on VirtualBox

Hi there, and welcome back to Darren’s Tech Tutorials!

If you’re looking for a Linux distribution that combines the robustness of Ubuntu with an absolutely stunning aesthetic, then Elementary OS is exactly what you need. It’s renowned for its sleek design and focus on usability.

The best way to try out any new operating system without committing to a full install is by using a virtual machine (VM). In this tutorial, we are going to walk through the entire process of installing Elementary OS within VirtualBox, ensuring you have a fully functional virtual environment ready to explore.

Let’s dive right in and get this beautiful OS up and running!

Prerequisites: Getting Your Files

Before we start configuring the Virtual Machine, you need two things: VirtualBox installed on your host machine, and the Elementary OS installation file.

1. Download Elementary OS

  1. Search for “Elementary OS” and navigate to their official website.
  2. Elementary OS operates on a “pay-what-you-can” model. If you intend to use it long-term, please consider supporting the developers!
  3. For testing purposes, you can simply enter 0 in the donation box and click the Download button to begin downloading the ISO file.

Once your ISO download is complete, you are ready to set up the VM.

Step 2: Configuring the Virtual Machine in VirtualBox

Open VirtualBox and follow these steps to create your new Elementary OS machine.

  1. Click the New button in the VirtualBox manager.
  2. Name and ISO Image:
    • Name: Enter Elementary OS.
    • ISO Image: Click the dropdown and locate the Elementary OS ISO file you just downloaded.
  3. Click Next to proceed to hardware configuration.

Resource Allocation

Elementary OS requires sufficient resources to run smoothly within a VM. We will allocate a comfortable amount of RAM and CPU cores.

  • RAM (Base Memory): We recommend setting this to at least 4096 MB (4 GB).
  • CPUs: Allocate at least 3 CPUs to ensure good performance and responsiveness.
  • Click Next.

Hard Drive Creation

Since this is a clean install, we will create a new virtual hard disk.

  • Hard Disk Size: Set the size to 40 GB. While Elementary OS can run on less, 40 GB gives you plenty of space for updates and applications.
  • Click Next, then Finish to create the VM.

Step 3: Initiating the Elementary OS Installation

With the VM configured, we can now start the machine and begin the installation process.

  1. Select your new Elementary OS VM in the VirtualBox sidebar and click Start.
  2. Elementary OS will begin its boot sequence.

A Critical Tip for Installation Navigation

When you first boot into the installer environment, you may notice that the installation windows are difficult to move or interact with initially. This is a unique requirement of the Elementary OS installer environment.

How to Navigate: You need to hold down the Windows Key (or Super Key) on your keyboard and then use a Left Click of your mouse to grab the window and move it around. This will allow you to access the buttons and options that might be hidden off-screen.

Walking Through the Installer

  1. Language Selection: Use the Windows Key + Left Click method to select your desired language (e.g., English) and click Select.
  2. Keyboard Layout: Select the appropriate keyboard layout (e.g., English UK) and click Select.
  3. Installation Type: Click Erase disk and install. Remember, this only affects the virtual disk we created, not your actual hard drive!
  4. You will receive a warning about installing on a virtual machine; you can safely Ignore this and click Continue.
  5. Disk Confirmation: Select the virtual disk you created (it should be the only option) and click Erase and Install.
  6. Encryption: Select Don’t Encrypt.
  7. The installation will now kick off. This process can take a few minutes.

Step 4: Post-Installation Cleanup (Crucial Step!)

Once the installation completes, you will be prompted to restart. If you simply hit restart, VirtualBox often reboots back into the ISO installation media, trapping you in a loop. We must remove the disk first.

  1. When the installation finishes, click Shutdown instead of restart.
  2. Once the VM is fully powered off, right-click the Elementary OS VM in the VirtualBox manager and select Settings.
  3. Go to the Storage section.
  4. Under the “Controller: IDE” section, select the optical drive where your Elementary OS ISO is mounted.
  5. Click the little disc icon next to the “Optical Drive” setting and select Remove Disk from Virtual Drive.
  6. Click OK to save the settings.

Step 5: First Boot and Final Setup

Now that the installation media is removed, we can boot into our newly installed operating system.

  1. Click Start to launch the VM.
  2. Elementary OS will boot up and ask you a few final setup questions:
    • Confirm your language settings (use the Windows Key + Left Click method if necessary).
    • Enter your desired user name (e.g., Darren).
    • Set a secure password.
  3. Click Finish Setup.
  4. You will be taken to the login screen. Enter the password you just created.

Congratulations! You are now logged into the beautiful Elementary OS desktop environment. Feel free to click around, explore the applications, and enjoy the sleek, minimalistic design.

Wrapping Up and Next Steps

That’s all there is to it! You have successfully installed and configured Elementary OS inside VirtualBox. It’s a truly elegant OS, and running it in a virtual environment is the perfect way to familiarize yourself with the layout and functionality.

If you found this tutorial helpful, please be sure to Like the video and Subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more guides just like this one! Also, keep an eye out for my next tutorial where I’ll show you how to install Guest Additions to enable full-screen support and better integration with your host machine.

Thank you for watching, and happy testing!