have you considered Try VirtualBox on your Windows 11 computer But you're not sure where to start? Many users have questions about this process, whether due to fear of losing information, uncertainty about potential errors, or lack of understanding of the steps involved.
The good news is that installing VirtualBox on Windows 11 is a much simpler process than you might imagine, and it also allows you to experiment with other operating systems without risking your main computer.
Why install and use VirtualBox on Windows 11?
Before you start, it's good to know What are the advantages of installing VirtualBox on your Windows 11 computer?, since sometimes we rush into installing tools without fully understanding what they can be used for. VirtualBox is a free virtualization software that allows you to create “virtual computers” within your physical PC. Imagine having a secure testing area where you can experiment, install other systems or applications, and if something goes wrong, remove it without consequences.
What are the main benefits?
- Testing operating systems (such as different versions of Windows or Linux distributions) without affecting your computer's main installation.
- Avoid risks and viruses when you need to run unknown files or programs.
- Compatibility with older software: You can run programs that no longer work on current versions of Windows.
- Learn to manage networks, development environments, and other system tools in a secure and isolated environment.
This virtualization method is like having your own personal lab where you don't have to compromise with your real data. Plus, you can undo changes, restore settings, and delete the virtual machine if you no longer need it. all without affecting your main system.
What you need before you start: requirements and necessary downloads
Before you jump into installing VirtualBox and creating your first virtual machine, it's important to make sure your computer meets certain requirements and that you have everything you'll need ready. Pre-planning saves time and prevents problems during the installation.
These are the minimum recommended resources for installing Windows 11 on a virtual machine with VirtualBox:
- Modern processor Virtualization compatible (Intel VT-x or AMD-V enabled in BIOS).
- 4GB RAM minimum, although it is recommended to have at least 8 GB for smoother operation.
- At least 30 GB of free space on the hard drive.
- Internet connection to download VirtualBox and the Windows 11 ISO file.
What downloads will you need?
- The installer of Oracle VM VirtualBox, which you can download for free from the VirtualBox official website.
- El Windows 11 ISO file, available on the official Microsoft website via the “Download Windows 11 disk image (ISO)” section. It's important to choose the ISO option, as it's the most convenient for the virtual machine.
Please note that Windows 11 requires additional hardware, such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which sometimes cause issues during installation in virtual machines. We'll show you how to work around these obstacles later.
Steps to download the Windows 11 ISO file
The first step of the whole process is to download Windows 11 ISO image, which is the "installation disk" we'll be using in VirtualBox. Although Microsoft offers several ways to obtain Windows 11, the easiest and most effective way for us is the ISO.
This is how you can do it:
- Access the Windows 11 downloads section in the Microsoft official page.
- Select the “Download Windows 11 disk image (ISO)” option.
- Choose your preferred language and confirm the download.
- The download will take up about 5GB, so depending on your connection speed, it may take several minutes.
With the ISO saved on your computer, you now have the most important parts for the installation.
Download and install Oracle VM VirtualBox on Windows 11
Once you have the ISO, you need to install VirtualBox, which will be the tool we'll use to create and manage the virtual machine. If you'd like to dig deeper into the different configurations, you can check out our complete VirtualBox tutorial. In addition, you may find it useful to know the Advantages of the VirtualBox Extension Pack.
- Visit the official website and download the latest installer for “Windows Hosts”.
- Once the download is complete, run the file and follow the steps in the installer. You can choose the installation location; the default is usually sufficient.
- During the process, VirtualBox offers to install some additional features such as USB support, networking, etc. If you're having issues with USB devices, you can disable this option to avoid conflicts.
- Click “Finish” and you’ll have VirtualBox ready on your computer.
Does VirtualBox have compatibility issues with Windows 11? Generally, you shouldn't encounter any major obstacles; however, if your antivirus blocks a step or you encounter problems installing virtual network or USB drivers, you can try running the installer as an administrator and temporarily disabling your antivirus.
How to create a new virtual machine for Windows 11
With VirtualBox installed, it's time to create the virtual machine, that is, the space where we will install Windows 11.
Follow these steps to set up your new VM:
- Start VirtualBox and click the “New” button.
- Enter a descriptive name (for example, “Windows11-VM”) and select the location for the files for this virtual machine.
- Choose the type and version of your operating system. In this case, “Microsoft Windows” and “Windows 11 (64-bit).”
- Configure the RAM for your VM. The recommended minimum is 4096 MB (4 GB), but if you have more RAM available, allocate 8 GB (8192 MB) for better performance.
- Select “Create a virtual hard disk now” and choose the disk size, which should be at least 30 GB.
- Choose the type of virtual hard drive (VDI is fine for most users) and whether you want it to be fixed size or dynamically allocated.
- Click “Create” and your virtual machine will be ready to be configured.
Remember that allocating more RAM or storage space can improve virtual machine usage, But don't overdo it if your PC doesn't have enough resources., as this could slow down the system.
Prepare the virtual machine before installing Windows 11
Now that you have your virtual machine created, it's time to make some final preparations before beginning the operating system installation.
You need to connect the Windows 11 ISO to the virtual machine. Here's how:
- Select the VM in the VirtualBox manager and click “Settings.”
- In the left menu, choose “Storage.”
- In the "IDE Controller" section, you'll see a disk icon. Click on it and select "Choose a virtual optical disk" to browse and select the Windows 11 ISO you downloaded earlier.
- Save the changes and close the configuration.
Once this is done, your virtual machine will be ready to boot from the ISO and begin installing Windows 11.
Start installing Windows 11 in VirtualBox
This step is the most exciting: install Windows 11 inside VirtualBox and see how it starts for the first time.
- Press the “Start” button with the virtual machine selected.
- The VM will boot from the ISO and the Windows 11 installation window will appear.
- Select your language, time format, and keyboard type and click “Next.”
- Click “Install Now.” If you're prompted for a product key, you can click “I don't have a product key” to continue with the trial installation.
- Choose the edition of Windows 11 you want to install, accept the terms, and select the “Custom installation” option.
- Select the virtual disk (where there should be nothing yet) and click “Next.”
- The installation will begin and take a few minutes, depending on the speed of your hardware.
Exceed hardware requirements: TPM, Secure Boot, and RAM
One of the most common obstacles that users face when installing Windows 11 in virtual environments is verifying TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and RAMHowever, there are tricks to bypass these restrictions:
When the installation detects that your virtual machine does not meet any of these requirements, you can do the following:
- At the incompatibility warning, press Shift + F10 to open the command console.
- Write regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ Setup.
- Right-click on “Setup,” select “New,” and then “Key.” Name it LabConfig.
- Within “LabConfig”, create three DWORD (32-bit) values: Bypass TPM Check, Bypass Secure Boot Check y BypassRamCheck. Assign each one the value 1.
- Close Registry Editor and restart the installation.
With this method, installing Windows 11 on your virtual machine can continue regardless of whether your virtual system meets all the strict hardware requirements.
First settings after installing Windows 11 in VirtualBox
After completing the file copy and initial setup, Windows 11 will ask for some information such as language, region, username, and password. Complete this information according to your preferenceYou'll soon be able to access the Windows 11 desktop inside the virtual machine.
To improve the experience, it is recommended to install the Guest Additions from VirtualBox, which offer greater compatibility and performance. You can do this from “Devices” in the VirtualBox menu, selecting “Insert Guest Additions CD Image.”
Advanced tips and solutions to common problems
It is normal that some inconveniences may arise related to compatibility o performance. Some useful tips are:
- To fix slowness, increase the amount of RAM and CPU allocated in “Settings > System > Processor”.
- If there is no sound, check the “Audio” section in the VM settings.
- To share folders between your real system and the virtual machine, use the “Shared Folders” option.
- If the screen does not fit after resizing the window, install the Guest Additions.
- It is recommended to save snapshots to revert to previous states if you are going to experiment with risky configurations.
Remember that while VirtualBox is free and functional, there are other alternatives, such as VMWare, that can offer additional features for more advanced projects.
