# VirtualBox

### **WHAT IS VIRTUALBOX**

VirtualBox is an [**<u>hypervisor</u>**](https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+hypervisor&oq=what+is+hypervisor&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i512j0i20i263i512l2j0i512l6.7559j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) which allows one to run other [**<u>Operating Systems</u>**](https://www.google.com/search?q=operating+system&oq=operat&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i433i512j0i20i263i512j0i512l2j46i512j46i433i512j0i512l3.8293j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) (OS) (guests) under a single operating system (host). Meaning If a windows Operating System user needs to use Linux/Unix OS, he or she can do that on his or her windows OS with the aid of a VirtualBox rather than purchasing a separate system with installed Linux/Unix OS or [**<u>Dual booting</u>**](https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/glossary/what-is-dual-boot/?srsltid=AYCX9vL8hi8vp89FvZnzcLU7KOa0IGKTMoRpEXOtTrwigbgds27ZR0Pv).

VirtualBox is an [**<u>Open source</u>**](https://opensource.com/resources/what-open-source) software for virtualizing [**<u>x86 computing archtecture</u>**](https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/tech101/client-computing/x86-architecture-foundation-of-modern-computing.html). Click [**<u>HERE</u>**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VirtualBox) to read more about VirtualBox.

### **WHY VIRTUALBOX ?**

![why virtualbox.PNG](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1659096528555/L6CgPuGw9.PNG align="center")

VirtualBox is important because it allows one to:

- Explore and experiment other operating systems with more ease. This can be an interesting way to learn more about other OS.
- Clone a system to another machine.
- "Tear" apart your system.
- Run old or incompatible softwares.

### **DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DUAL BOOTING AND USING VIRTUALBOX**

![dual boot vs VM.PNG](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1659097869480/TFMf6Q9jB.PNG align="center")

- Using VirtualBox requires less memory space because it is being "virtualized" while when you set up partitions for dual-booting, the size you create for the secondary OS is set from the start therefore more memory space is required.
- Dual booting gives more performance than virtualBox because it allows more access to your hardware while the latter is sandboxed and depends on the configuration your system.

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### **DOWNLOADING VIRTUALBOX**

- Visit [**<u>HERE</u>**](https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads) to download VirtualBox
- Based on your present OS, choose a host OS i.e if you’re running Windows operating system, download the Windows version at the top by clicking “x86/amd64”. If you're running Linux/Unix download the Linux distribution and so on.
- After downloading completely, go to DOWNLOAD folder at your desktop and run the VirtualBox-4.3.16-95972-Win.exe file. Oracle VM Virtual Box Installation Window will appear.

### **INSTALLING VIRTUALBOX**

- Click next
- Click next
- Click next
- Click Yes
- Click Install....
- Click Finish

After the completion of Installation process, the VirtualBox Window gets opened.

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![installed virtualbox.PNG](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1659099194541/hAW70spyf.PNG align="center")

congratulations!!! your virtualbox is ready for further virtual machines and OS installations.

Next Ubuntu installation through VirtualBox