10 steps to Installing Linux Mint in VirtualBox

CREATING THE VM

There are plenty of options to choose from when creating a VM. For now though, you can set up a VM adequate to run Mint Cinnamon and perform well.

Step 1

With VirtualBox open, click on the New icon in the top right of the app. This will open the new VM Wizard.

Step 2

In the box next to Name, type Linux Mint and VirtualBox should automatically choose Linux as the Type and Ubuntu (64-bit) as the Version. If not then use the drop-down boxes to select the correct settings; remember Mint mainstream is based on Ubuntu. Click Next when you’re ready to proceed.

Step 3

The next section will define the amount of system memory (RAM) the VM has allocated. Remember this amount will be taken from the available memory installed in your computer, so don’t give the VM too much. For example, we have 8GB of memory installed and we’re giving 2GB to the VM. When you’re ready, click Next to continue.

Step 4

This section is where you start to create the virtual hard disk that the VM will use to install Mint on to. The default option, ‘Create a virtual hard disk now’, is the one we’re using. Click Create to move on.

Step 5

The pop-up window that appears after clicking Create is asking you what type of virtual hard disk you want to create. Use the default VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) in his case, as the others are often used to move VMs from one VM application to the next. Make sure VDI is selected and click Next.

Step 6

The question of whether to opt for Dynamically or Fixed sized virtual hard disks may come across as being somewhat confusing to the newcomer. Basically, a Dynamically Allocated virtual hard disk is a more flexible storage management option. It won’t take up much space within your physical hard disk to begin with either. Ensure Dynamically Allocated is selected and click Next.

Step 7

The virtual hard disk will be a single folder, up to the size you state in this section. Ensure the location of the virtual hard disk, on your computer, has enough free space available. For example, we’ve used a bigger storage option on our D:\ drive, named it Linux Mint and allocated 25.50GB of space to the virtual hard disk.

Step 8

After clicking Create the initial set up of the VM is complete; you should now be looking at the newly created VM within the VirtualBox application. Before you begin though, click the Settings button and within the General section click the Advanced tab. Using the pull-down menus, choose ‘Bidirectional’ for both Shared Clipboard and Drag’n’Drop.

Step 9

Follow that by clicking on the System section, then the Processor tab. Depending on your CPU allocate as many cores as you can without detriment to your host system; we’ve opted for two CPUs. Now click on the Display section, slide the Video Memory up to the maximum and tick ‘Enable 3D Acceleration’. Click OK to commit the new settings.

Step 10

Click on the Start button and use the explorer button in the ‘Select Start-up Disk’ window to locate the downloaded ISO of Mint; the explorer button is a folder with a green arrow. Click Start to boot the VM with the Linux Mint Live Environment. You can now install Linux Mint as detailed in the previous Installing Linux Mint on a PC section.

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