When it comes to free software in which one that are general-purpose full virtualization software, Oracle VirtualBox is no doubt one of my favorites to use. I am familiar with Broadcom VMWare (paid version) but for free version that I like to use the VirtualBox software at home to run Linux OS, Oracle VirtualBox.
So, let’s go ahead and get started. First part is always verify the integrity and authenticity of your .iso file.
Let’s go ahead install Linux Mint on VirtualBox. Once in, click on “NEW”.
So, looking at this screen, I added the name Linux Min 22.1 to reflect the version of Mint that I am installing. The folder that will be installed to is the second line and the third line is where you will click and select the .iso in your downloads folder.
Immediately, VirtualBox will know what kind of Linux it is. We know that Linux Mint is a fork of Ubuntu. There is a Linux Mint Debian version which is a fork of Debian. But when you install a Linux OS, its good to know if the software is forked from a certain application.
In the second part in blue, Unattended install, go ahead and put your admin name and password/repeated password. For Hostname, make it one word.
In the third part in blue, for Hardware, set your base memory. You can select up to 8MB if you want. Processor, you can keep it on 1. Enable EFI, you can keep this unchecked.
Go to Hard Disk and select how much space you want to give to your Virtual Hard Disk for Linux Mint. I tend to use 40GB but for someone new, 25GB should be more than enough.
Hit Finish and that is it! As you can see, the full setup. USB is not active, but this can be done later. The cool thing about VirtualBox is you can always adjust the settings and adjust the system memory, display and more.
OK, before we begin, let’s RESTART THE COMPUTER.
Now, let’s go ahead and select “START” on the top.
And once you hit start, it will ask you a few questions, or you can wait until Linux Mint shows up and you get a screen like this:
We are now going to click on “Install Linux Mint” on the top (icon of a CD).
Choose your language, keyboard and then select “Install Multiple Codecs”.
You will then see the following under Installation Type. You want to Erase the disk and install Linux Mint. So, since we are using VirtualBox, then 25 GB you created is a virtual harddrive specifically for Linux Mint and now we are going to erase it to install it on the virtual drive. Under Advanced Features, I choose to have LVM installed. You don’t have to.
Afterward, you will select your region in the world but and then entering your information (USER NAME, PASSWORD) and afterward, Linux Mint will be installed.
Once it completes the installation and you restart the system, I close down VirtualBox. I open up VirtualBox and go to hard drive to make sure, it shows that the .iso is no longer listed. Once confirmed, then I hit START.
And now, when you click START, you should see the green Linux Mint logo and taking you to the main login screen. And that’s it, you have installed Linux Mint. Congratulations!
