Step-by-step installation and configuration of the Virtualbox virtual machine

Installing a virtual machine on your computer is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. In this article we will explain in detail how to install and configure virtualbox, as well as how to add new virtual machines. First, let's figure out what a virtual machine is.

For example, you have Windows 7 or higher operating system installed, but you need to use an application that runs exclusively on Windows XP. Agree, if you need to work with this application, it is not always advisable to reinstall the OS, especially on an outdated version of Windows. It’s easier to install a virtual machine on your computer, deploy Windows XP in it and run the required application without any problems.

Thus, a virtual machine is a full-fledged computer (containing a processor, RAM, hard drive and BIOS), running inside the computer through an emulator application.

Using a virtual machine you can:

test applications;
run programs that your OS does not support;
become familiar with the capabilities of other operating systems;
test the operation of network programs in closed virtual networks, etc.

Step-by-step installation of Virtualbox

To download Virtualbox, go to the official website www.virtualbox.org. Currently, the latest version of the utility is 5.0.10.

Run the downloaded installer file, click “Next”.

After this, the next program window will open. Don't change anything about it. Click Next.

In the parameter selection window, leave the checkboxes as default. Click "Next".

Afterwards another installation window will appear. The Virtualbox installer will inform you that a new network connection will be created during the program installation process. This means that your main connection is temporarily disabled. Click “Yes”, then in the next window “Install”.

Wait while the application installs. Upon completion of the installation, a notification will appear regarding the successful completion of the Virtualbox installation process. Click Finish.

If everything was successful, “VirtualBox Manager” will start.

“Manager” is a shell that provides work between Virtualbox and a desktop PC. The range of options for this application is quite small. True, it’s not worth spending time reviewing them, since the program works with default settings that can satisfy most users.

How to add a new virtual machine?

To install a new virtual machine, select the “Create” option. Enter its name, select the type and version of the operating system. In our case, Windows XP.

In the new window, select the amount of RAM. Keep in mind that you will not be able to allocate more memory than is installed on your PC.

The next window will ask you to create a new virtual hard disk or use an existing one. Since this is our first launch. Since this is our first launch of the program, create a new one using the “Create a new virtual hard disk” option.

In the next window you need to specify the type of hard drive. We recommend leaving the VDI type, then your virtual disk will be completely synchronized with the virtual machine, and the speed at which it performs its functions will be no less than that of a real hard drive.

A dynamic virtual disk, the volume of which tends to change as information is added. It forms faster, but functions very slowly.

A fixed virtual hard drive, the volume of which will be static and will be designated by the size that was specified during creation. It takes longer to create, but works much faster.

Which type to choose is up to you. But in our example we will focus on the dynamic type.

Let's go to the next window. Here you need to enter the name of the disk, indicate its size and location.

Click on the “Create” button and a window with the newly created virtual machine will open in front of us. Actually, this concludes our preparatory actions.