How to install Linux Mint as a virtual machine using Windows in 5 easy steps

Introduction

Some people who are running Windows have been toying with the idea of running Linux for quite some time. If you are one of those people then the easiest and safest way to try Linux out for the first time is to use a virtual machine.

In this guide I will show you how to install Linux Mint as a virtual machine in 5 easy steps. 

1. Download Oracle Virtualbox

Windows 7 and 8 come pre-installed with the ability to create virtual machines but the software isn't as good as Oracle's Virtualbox software.

It doesn't matter which version of Windows you are running the instructions are virtually the same.

We will start with the only exception in this guide. If you are running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 click on the search icon and type VirtualBox. Click on the first link and you will see a page similar to the one above.

Now click on the link for the official site.

If you are using any other version of Windows visit https://virtualbox.org.

When you get to the Virtualbox website click on the "Downloads" link.

Finally, once you get to the downloads page click on the link for the Windows hosts. (x86/amd64).

Before we start the actual installation we will kick off step 2 as it will take a while.

2. Download Linux Mint

The current version of Linux Mint is version 16. 

To get Linux Mint 16 visit http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php.

There are a number of download options available and the one you choose to download will be based on the specifications of your host machine.

If you have a new and modern computer then click on the link for Cinnamon. If you have a 64-bit computer click on the 64-bit link otherwise click the 32-bit link. If after following this guide you decide that Cinnamon isn't your thing then try again but go for the KDE version.

If you have an older computer then click on the link for MATE. Again if you have a 64-bit computer click on the 64-bit link otherwise click the 32-bit link. If after following this guide you decide that MATE isn't your thing then try out the XFCE version.

Ignore the links with no codecs and the OEM versions.

When you get to the download page click on the link of the server that is closest to you.

The download of the Linux Mint ISO should start and depending on your speed can take some time. Whilst this is going on continue to step 3.

3. Install Oracle Virtualbox

To start the installer double click on the executable that you downloaded from the Oracle website.

You will be presented with a welcome screen.

Click "Next" to continue.

The second screen asks you what you actually want to install and gives a number of different options.

Personally I think it is best to leave the default selections in place.

Simply click "Next" to continue.

You will now be asked what icons you want to create to enable you to launch Virtualbox.

When checked, the first option puts a shortcut on the desktop. The middle checkbox, when selected, puts an icon on the quick launch bar when you press the "Start" button.

The third option associates file types with Virtualbox.

Click "Next" to continue.

You will now be shown a warning stating that your network connection will be dropped and reconnected.

Click "Yes" to continue.

You are now at the point where you are ready to install Virtualbox.

Simply click "Install" and let it do its stuff.

4. Create a virtual machine

To run Virtualbox leave the checkbox ticked that says "Start Oracle VM Virtualbox 4.3.10 after installation" and click "Finish". If you already closed that window then double click the Virtualbox icon on the desktop.

In the past to install Linux Mint within Virtualbox you needed to install Linux Mint and then install something called guest additions.

From Linux Mint 16 onwards you no longer need to do this.

You can simply create a Linux Mint virtual machine and it will work for you straight away.

Click "New" on the toolbar to create a new virtual machine.

The first thing to do is give your virtual machine a name.

You also need to select the type of the machine. Linux is a good choice.

For the version select "Linux 2.6 / 3.x". If you have a 32-bit computer choose 32-bit otherwise choose 64-bit.

Click "Next" to continue.

The next step requires you to specify how much memory you want to give to the virtual machine.

How much you give will depend on how much physical memory you have on your host computer. 

You cannot give all of your memory over to the virtual machine because you must leave some for the host operating system to be able to continue working.

Realistically you need at least 512 megabytes of RAM to run Linux Mint but ideally at least 1 gigabyte or more. The more you have the better your experience will be.

If you only have a computer with 1 gigabyte of RAM or less to start with I recommend trying Linux Mint out as a live USB and not in a virtual machine.

Select the amount of memory you wish to give to the virtual machine and click "Next".

You are now asked whether you wish to create a hard drive. A hard drive in a virtual machine is just an area from the free space on your physical hard drive set aside to be used by the guest operating system.

If you choose not to have a hard drive then you will be running a live version of Linux within a virtual machine. There is little point in doing this. You may as run an actual live version.

Select the "Create a virtual hard drive now" and press "Create".

You are now presented with the confusing hard drive file type selection screen.

VDI files are the main file type for virtual hard drives within Virtual Box.

VMDK files are used by VMWare

VHD files are used by Microsoft's virtualisation software.

For a full list describing the file types click here.

Select "VDI" and click "Next".

Now you can choose whether you want to have a dynamically allocated hard drive or a fixed hard drive.

A dynamic drive will only use the space it needs and grows as required whereas a fixed drive allocates all the space straight away.

Fixed disks are faster in the long run but take more time to create in the first place. It is up to you which you choose.

Click "Next" to continue.

You will now be given a slider which lets you choose how big the virtual hard drive will be.

Ideally you will allocate at least 20 gigabytes but it really depends how much disk space you have in the first place.

I think the minimum you can allocate is 5 gigabytes.

Select an amount appropriate to your needs and click "Create".

5. Install Linux Mint

Now that you have created your virtual machine you need to install Linux Mint into it.

To start the process click on the virtual machine you have created and click "Start".

Click on the folder icon and navigate to your downloads folder and select the Linux Mint ISO file downloaded in step 2.

Click "Start".

You will now see Linux Mint boot for the first time.

The image you see at this point will be different depending on whether you installed the Cinnamon, KDE, XFCE or MATE version.

The look and feel is generally the same though.

Double click on the install icon.

The first thing you need to do is choose the language you wish to use to install Linux Mint.

Unless you have a reason to make life difficult for yourself I would choose the language that comes naturally to you.

Click "Next" to continue.

You will now be provided with a health check showing how prepared you are for installing Linux Mint.

Basically if you have enough memory, your computer is plugged in and you have a network connection you are fine to carry on.

Click "Next" to continue.

You are now presented with a screen asking where you want to install Linux Mint. Remember this is a virtual machine with a virtual hard drive so you can't do any damage to your host system.

Normally I like to choose "something else" and partition the drive myself but as it is a virtual machine I recommend selecting the "Erase disk and install Linux Mint" option.

Click "Install Now".

In the following screen select your timezone by clicking your location on the map.

Click "Continue".

The next screen asks you to select your keyboard layout.

Choose your layout and then click "Continue".

Almost there now.

Create a default user by entering your name and enter a name for your computer.

Enter a username and password. (and confirm it).

You can choose whether to log in automatically or to require the user to log in using their credentials.

Click "Continue".

The installer will now copy all the files across, install the system and set up Linux Mint using the settings you have specified.

Go and make yourself a cup of coffee and come back in around 15 minutes.

That is it. You have done it. You have created a virtual machine with Linux Mint.

You will receive a message asking you whether you want to continue using the live mode or whether you want to restart now.

There is very little value in continuing with the live version. Click "Restart Now".

Extra Information

To start a virtual machine all you have to do is open virtual box using the desktop icon.

Click on the virtual machine you created and click "Start".

When you boot up for the first time you will be asked to log in (unless you specified to login automatically).

Click on the username and enter the password you specified in the setup screen to continue.

Linux Mint will now appear and you will see a welcome message in the centre of the screen with useful links to do with the project.

To view the virtual machine in full screen mode click the right CTRL key and F.

To expand the virtual machine across your screen click the right CTRL key and G.

To get back to a windowed view click the right CTRL key and F again.

Summary

You can do anything in the virtual machine that you would have been able to do if you had installed it directly on your computer.

I recommend playing, experimenting, installing software, try it out to the maximum and in a month's time you will be able to decide when Linux Mint 17 comes out whether you are ready to go full time Linux or not.

Thankyou for reading.