How to Install Fedora Linux on Virtualbox Windows 10

How to Install Fedora Linux on Virtualbox Windows 10? A Step-by-Step Guide

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To install Fedora Linux on VirtualBox in Windows 10, you first need to download and install Oracle VM VirtualBox along with the latest Fedora ISO image from the official Fedora website. Then, create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox, assign enough memory (RAM) and storage, and mount the Fedora ISO as the startup disk. Finally, boot the VM, follow the Fedora installation wizard, and complete the setup to run Fedora Linux inside VirtualBox on your Windows 10 system.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Install Fedora Linux on Virtualbox Windows 10?

Step 1: Download and Install VirtualBox

Before you begin installing Fedora Linux, you need to have VirtualBox installed on your Windows 10 machine. Here’s how to get started:

1.1 Download VirtualBox

  • Visit the official VirtualBox website at virtualbox.org.
  • Navigate to the Downloads section.
  • Choose the appropriate installer for Windows hosts.

1.2 Install VirtualBox

  • When the download is finish, open the installer.
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to install VirtualBox. You can keep the default settings unless you have specific customization needs.
  • When the installation is finished, launch VirtualBox.

You now have VirtualBox installed on your Windows 10 machine, and you’re ready to set up Fedora Linux.

Step 2: Download the Fedora ISO File

To install Fedora on VirtualBox, you need the Fedora ISO file, which contains the installation image for the operating system.

2.1 Download the Fedora ISO

  • Visit the official Fedora website at getfedora.org.
  • Under the “Fedora Workstation” section, click Download Now to get the latest stable release.
  • You will be directed to the download page where you can choose between different versions. Select the Fedora Workstation Live ISO (64-bit).

2.2 Verify the Download
It’s always a good idea to verify the integrity of your download using the provided checksum on the Fedora website. This ensures that your ISO file has not been tampered with or corrupted during the download process.

Once the Fedora ISO has been downloaded, you’re ready to proceed with the VirtualBox setup.

Step 3: Make a New Virtual Machine in VirtualBox

The next step is to create a new virtual machine (VM) in VirtualBox for installing Fedora Linux.

3.1 Open VirtualBox

  • Launch VirtualBox from your Windows 10 start menu or desktop shortcut.

3.2 Create a New VM

  • Press on the New button at the top of the VirtualBox window.
  • In the Name field, enter “Fedora Linux” or any name of your choice.
  • In the Type dropdown, select Linux.
  • In the Version dropdown, select Fedora (64-bit). If you don’t see the 64-bit option, you may need to enable virtualization in your BIOS settings.

3.3 Allocate RAM

  • VirtualBox will now ask you to allocate memory (RAM) for the virtual machine.
  • Fedora requires a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, but for optimal performance, allocate 4 GB or more (4096 MB). Ensure this does not exceed 50% of your system’s total memory to avoid overloading your host machine.

3.4 Create a Virtual Hard Disk

  • You will now be prompted to create a virtual hard disk for your Fedora installation.
  • Choose Create a virtual hard disk now & click Create.
  • For Hard disk file type, choose VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image).
  • In the Storage on physical hard disk section, select Dynamically allocated so that the virtual disk will grow as needed without using unnecessary space upfront.
  • Allocate at least 20 GB of storage, although more space (around 40 GB) is recommended for a smoother experience and to accommodate software and files.

Once you’ve configured the virtual machine, click Create. You now have a virtual machine ready for the Fedora installation.

Step 4: Install Fedora Linux on the Virtual Machine

Now that your virtual machine is set up, it’s time to install Fedora using the ISO file you downloaded earlier.

4.1 Mount the Fedora ISO

  • Select the newly created Fedora VM from the VirtualBox main screen and click Start.
  • A window will pop up asking you to chose a startup disk. Click the folder icon and locate the
  • Fedora ISO file you downloaded earlier.
  • Once the ISO is selected, click Start to boot the virtual machine using the Fedora installation image.

4.2 Boot into Fedora Live Environment

  • After starting the VM, you’ll presented with the Fedora boot menu.
  • Choose Start Fedora-Workstation-Live 36 (or the version you downloaded).
  • Fedora will now boot into the live environment, which lets you test the operating system before installation.

4.3 Begin the Installation

  • Once you’re in the live environment, double-click the Install to Hard Drive icon on the desktop.
  • This will launch the Fedora installer.

4.4 Set Up Installation Options

The installation wizard will guides you through various steps:

  • Language: Choose your preferred language & click Continue.
  • Installation Destination: Select the virtual hard disk you created earlier and click Done.
  • Keyboard Layout: Choose the layout that matches your keyboard, and click Continue.
  • Time & Date: Select your region and city for the correct time zone.

4.5 Start the Installation

  • Once you’ve confirmed your installation settings, click Begin Installation.
  • While Fedora installs, you’ll prompted to set up a root password (administrator password) and create a regular user account.
  • Set a strong root password and create a user account with administrative privileges.

The installation process should take a few minutes, depending on the resources of your system. Once the installation complete, you’ll prompted to Reboot the system.

Learn More: Learn about Fedora Linux operating system

Step 5: Finalizing Fedora Installation

After the reboot, Fedora will boot from the virtual hard disk instead of the ISO image. Here’s what to do next:

5.1 First Boot

  • The virtual machine will reboot, and you’ll taken to the Fedora login screen. Log in using the user account you created during the installation method.
  • Once logged in, you can start exploring Fedora Linux!

5.2 Post-Installation Setup

  • Update Fedora: Open the terminal and update your system to ensure you have the latest software and security patches. You can do this by typing:
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sudo dnf update
  • Install Guest Additions: To enhance the virtual machine’s performance and enable features like shared folders, clipboard sharing, and screen resizing, you should install VirtualBox Guest Additions. You can find this in the VirtualBox menu under Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image. See the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 6: Exploring Fedora

Now that Fedora installed and running on your VirtualBox, you start exploring the world of Linux! Fedora’s GNOME desktop environment is user-friendly, and you can install additional software using Fedora’s dnf package manager.

To install new applications or utilities, open the terminal and use the following command:

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sudo dnf install [package-name]

For example, to install the VLC media player:

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sudo dnf install vlc

Conclusion

Installing Fedora Linux on VirtualBox in Windows 10 is a great way to explore Linux without changing your primary operating system. Whether you’re using Fedora for development, testing, or learning, VirtualBox provides an excellent environment to run Fedora smoothly alongside Windows. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll have Fedora up and running in no time, and you’ll be ready to explore all the features and benefits of this powerful Linux distribution.

Enjoy your new Fedora Linux virtual machine!

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