Table of Contents
Do you want to explore the Linux operating system without replacing your current Windows 11? If yes, then you need to install Linux Virtual Machine on your Windows 11. In this blog post, we will guide you through the entire process of installing Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11.
Linux is an open-source operating system that is widely used for a variety of tasks like web development, scientific computing, server management, and so on. It is different from the Windows operating system in many ways, and if you are new to Linux, installing it on a virtual machine is a great way to get started.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we proceed with the installation process, make sure you have the following items:
- A Windows 11 PC/Laptop with at least 4GB of RAM, 64-bit processor, and Hyper-V support.
- A stable internet connection for downloading the Linux ISO file.
- A virtual machine software like Oracle VirtualBox or VMware Workstation.
- A Linux distribution ISO file like Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, etc.
What Requires Your Focus?
Installing Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 is a straightforward process, but it requires some attention to detail. You need to make sure that your Windows 11 PC/Laptop meets the hardware requirements for running a virtual machine. Also, you need to ensure that you have enough storage space, memory, and processing power to run both operating systems simultaneously.
Moreover, you need to choose the right virtual machine software and Linux distribution that best suits your needs. The installation process may slightly vary depending on the software and distribution you choose. Finally, you need to be careful while configuring the virtual machine settings, especially the network and storage settings, to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.
Different Methods to Install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11
In this section, we will discuss four different methods to install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11. You can choose the method that best suits your needs and preferences.
Method 1: Install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 using Oracle VirtualBox Via Linux Mint
Oracle VirtualBox is a popular virtual machine software that allows you to run multiple guest operating systems on a single host computer. Linux Mint is a user-friendly Linux distribution that is based on Ubuntu and offers a familiar Windows-like interface. Following are the steps to install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 using Oracle VirtualBox and Linux Mint:
1. Download and install Oracle VirtualBox from their official website.
2. Download the Linux Mint ISO file from their official website.
3. Launch Oracle VirtualBox and click on "New" to create a new virtual machine.
4. Enter a name for your virtual machine and choose Linux as the type and version as Linux 2.6/3.x/4.x (64-bit).
5. Assign at least 2GB of RAM to your virtual machine and click on "Create".
6. Under "Storage", click on the "Empty" CD icon and then on the CD icon on the right side of "CD/DVD drive".
7. Click on "Choose Virtual Optical Disk File" and browse to the location where you saved the Linux Mint ISO file. Select the file and click on "Open".
8. Click on "Start" to launch the virtual machine and begin the Linux Mint installation process.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Linux Mint on your virtual machine.
10. Once the installation is complete, you can use Linux Mint on your Windows 11 PC/Laptop via Oracle VirtualBox.
Pros:
- Oracle VirtualBox is free and open-source.
- It offers a simple and user-friendly interface.
- You can run multiple guest operating systems simultaneously.
Cons:
- It may require some technical knowledge to configure advanced settings.
- It may not offer the same level of performance as a dedicated virtualization solution.
- It may have compatibility issues with some hardware configurations.
Method 2: Install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 using VMware Workstation Via Ubuntu
VMware Workstation is another popular virtual machine software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single host computer. Ubuntu is a widely used Linux distribution that is known for its stability and security features. Following are the steps to install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 using VMware Workstation and Ubuntu:
1. Download and install VMware Workstation from their official website.
2. Download the Ubuntu ISO file from their official website.
3. Launch VMware Workstation and click on "Create a New Virtual Machine".
4. Choose "Typical" and click on "Next".
5. Select "Installer disc image file (ISO)" and browse to the location where you saved the Ubuntu ISO file. Select the file and click on "Next".
6. Enter a name for your virtual machine and choose a location to save it. Click on "Next".
7. Assign at least 2GB of RAM to your virtual machine and click on "Next".
8. Choose "Use bridged networking" and click on "Next".
9. Choose "SCSI" as the virtual disk type and click on "Next".
10. Choose the maximum disk size that you want to allocate to your virtual machine and click on "Next".
11. Click on "Finish" to create the virtual machine.
12. Click on "Power on this virtual machine" to launch the Ubuntu installation process.
13. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Ubuntu on your virtual machine.
14. Once the installation is complete, you can use Ubuntu on your Windows 11 PC/Laptop via VMware Workstation.
Pros:
- VMware Workstation offers advanced virtualization features and performance.
- It supports a wide range of hardware configurations and operating systems.
- It offers seamless integration with the host operating system.
Cons:
- VMware Workstation is not a free software solution.
- It may require some technical knowledge to configure advanced settings.
- It may have compatibility issues with some hardware configurations.
Method 3: Install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 using Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) Via Debian
Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) is a feature of Windows 11 that allows you to run Linux applications directly on Windows without the need for a virtual machine. Debian is a stable and lightweight Linux distribution that is suitable for running on low-end hardware. Following are the steps to install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 using WSL2 and Debian:
1. Enable Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) on your Windows 11 PC/Laptop.
2. Download and install Debian from the Microsoft Store.
3. Launch Debian and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Linux environment.
4. You can now use Debian on your Windows 11 PC/Laptop via WSL2.
Pros:
- WSL2 is a native feature of Windows 11, so you don’t need to install any third-party software.
- It offers high performance and low overhead compared to a virtual machine.
- It supports a wide range of Linux distributions and applications.
Cons:
- WSL2 may have some limitations compared to a virtual machine, such as limited direct hardware access.
- It may not be suitable for running Linux applications that require full system access.
- It may have compatibility issues with some Linux distributions and applications.
Method 4: Install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 using Parallels Desktop Via CentOS
Parallels Desktop is a commercial virtual machine software that is designed for Mac users, but it also works on Windows 11. CentOS is a widely used Linux distribution that offers enterprise-level features and security. Following are the steps to install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 using Parallels Desktop and CentOS:
1. Download and install Parallels Desktop from their official website.
2. Download the CentOS ISO file from their official website.
3. Launch Parallels Desktop and click on "New" to create a new virtual machine.
4. Choose "Install Windows or other OS from DVD or image file" and click on "Continue".
5. Click on "Select File" and browse to the location where you saved the CentOS ISO file. Select the file and click on "Open".
6. Click on "Continue" and enter a name for your virtual machine.
7. Choose the amount of memory and processing power that you want to allocate to your virtual machine.
8. Choose the "Expanding" option for the virtual hard disk.
9. Choose the amount of disk space that you want to allocate to your virtual machine.
10. Click on "Create" to create the virtual machine.
11. Click on "Start" to launch the CentOS installation process.
12. Follow the on-screen instructions to install CentOS on your virtual machine.
13. Once the installation is complete, you can use CentOS on your Windows 11 PC/Laptop via Parallels Desktop.
Pros:
- Parallels Desktop offers advanced virtualization features and performance.
- It supports a wide range of hardware configurations and operating systems.
- It offers seamless integration with the host operating system.
Cons:
- Parallels Desktop is not a free software solution.
- It may require some technical knowledge to configure advanced settings.
- It may have compatibility issues with some hardware configurations.
Why Can’t I Install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11?
Some common reasons why you may not be able to install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 are:
1. Your PC/Laptop does not meet the hardware requirements for running a virtual machine.
Solution: Make sure your Windows 11 PC/Laptop has at least 4GB of RAM, a 64-bit processor, and Hyper-V support.
2. Your virtual machine software is not compatible with Windows 11.
Solution: Make sure you choose a virtual machine software that is compatible with Windows 11, like Oracle VirtualBox or VMware Workstation.
3. Your Linux distribution is not supported by your virtual machine software.
Solution: Make sure you choose a Linux distribution that is supported by your virtual machine software, and download the appropriate ISO file.
4. Your virtual machine settings are not configured correctly.
Solution: Check your virtual machine settings, especially the network and storage settings, to ensure they are configured correctly.
Implications and Recommendations
If you want to install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11, here are some implications and recommendations to consider:
- Make sure your Windows 11 PC/Laptop meets the hardware requirements for running a virtual machine.
- Choose a virtual machine software and Linux distribution that best suits your needs and preferences.
- Configure your virtual machine settings correctly to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.
- Be aware of the limitations and constraints of running a virtual machine, such as limited hardware access and performance overhead.
- Consider using alternative solutions like Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) if you only need to run Linux applications on Windows 11.
5 FAQs about Installing Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11
Q1: What is a virtual machine software?
A: A virtual machine software is a program that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single host computer by creating a virtual environment.
Q2: What are the hardware requirements for running a virtual machine?
A: To run a virtual machine, your PC/Laptop should have at least 4GB of RAM, a 64-bit processor, and support for virtualization technologies like Hyper-V.
Q3: What is a Linux distribution?
A: A Linux distribution is a version of the Linux operating system that includes a collection of pre-installed software packages and tools.
Q4: Can I run a virtual machine on a low-end PC/Laptop?
A: It depends on the hardware specifications of your PC/Laptop and the virtual machine software you choose. Some virtual machine software like Oracle VirtualBox and VMware Workstation offer a lightweight mode that can run on low-end hardware.
Q5: Can I install Linux on my Windows 11 PC/Laptop without using a virtual machine?
A: Yes, you can install Linux on your Windows 11 PC/Laptop without using a virtual machine by using solutions like Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) or dual-booting.
Final Words
Installing Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11 is a great way to explore the Linux operating system and its applications without replacing your current Windows installation. In this blog post, we discussed four different methods to install Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11, along with their pros and cons. We also provided some recommendations and FAQs to help you get started with installing and using Linux Virtual Machine on Windows 11.