How to Install VirtualBox in Linux

Virtual Machine abstracts the hardware of our personal computers, such as CPU, disk drives, memory, NIC (Network Interface Card), etc., into many different execution environments as per our requirements, hence giving us a feeling that each execution environment is a single computer.

For example, VirtualBox. We can create a virtual machine for several reasons, all of which are fundamentally related to the ability to share the same basic hardware yet also support different execution environments, i.e., different operating systems simultaneously.

Methods to Install VirtualBox on our Debian-based Linux system

Here are three ways to download VirtualBox on a Debian-based system like Ubuntu. Each method offers different advantages, such as convenience or the ability to get the latest version of the software.

Method 1: Install VirtualBox from Ubuntu Repository

Open the terminal and run this command.

sudo apt install VirtualBox

Verify Installation

We use the `dpkg` command, which is used to manage installed packages on Debian-based systems like Ubuntu.

dpkg -l | grep virtualbox

Method 2: Install VirtualBox using GUI (Graphical User Interface)

Downloading and Installing VirtualBox. To download VirtualBox, go to the official site virtualbox.org and download the latest version for Linux. 

For example: We want to install VirtualBox for Ubuntu.

Step 1: Double Click on this

Step 2: Follow the numbering. 

First Right click and select 'open with other application', then follow the numbering.

Step 3: Click on Install

Step 4: Search Virtualbox and Double click on application.

VirtualBox application Opened.

Method 3: Installing VirtualBox using Oracle's repository

Step 1: Run this command in your terminal (adding key for the repository)

 wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc -O- | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/oracle-virtualbox-2016.gpg

Step 2: Run this command in your terminal (adding Oracal VirtualBox repository in the repository list)

 sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -cs) contrib"

Step 3: Update the package list.

sudo apt-get update

Step 4: Command for installation of virtualbox

sudo apt-get install virtualbox

Installing the Extension Pack

To unlock advanced features like USB 2.0/3.0 support, RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol), and PXE boot, you need to install the Extension Pack.

Steps:

Download the Extension Pack: Run the following command in the terminal:

wget https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/7.0.18/Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-7.0.18.vbox-extpack

Install the Extension Pack: Now, install it using this command:

sudo VBoxManage extpack install Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-7.0.18.vbox-extpack

This will enable support for extra features in VirtualBox, making it more powerful and flexible.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Kernel Module Not Loading

If VirtualBox isn't starting properly, it could be because the kernel module isn’t loaded. To fix this, run the following command in the terminal:

sudo /sbin/vboxconfig

This command rebuilds the VirtualBox kernel module.

2. "Virtualization Not Enabled" Error

If you see an error about virtualization not being enabled, it means your system’s BIOS/UEFI needs to have virtualization features turned on. To fix this:

1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.
2. Look for a setting called Intel VT-x (or AMD-V for AMD processors).
3. Enable it, save your settings, and restart.

3. Dependency Errors

Sometimes VirtualBox might fail to install due to missing dependencies. If you see errors like that, simply run:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

This will fix broken dependencies and complete the installation.

Must Read

• How to Install VirtualBox on Windows?
• How to Install Kali Linux in VirtualBox?
• How to Run Multiple Virtual Machines Windows and Linux Inside VirtualBox?

Conclusion

VirtualBox lets you run multiple operating systems on a single machine, ideal for testing, development, and learning. You can install it from the Ubuntu repository, GUI, or Oracle’s repository, each offering different advantages. Don't forget to install the Extension Pack for advanced features like USB and RDP support. If you run into issues, solutions for kernel modules, virtualization settings, and dependencies are easy to follow. VirtualBox provides the flexibility to create and configure virtual machines as needed for various tasks.