Quickly Run Windows VM on Ubuntu

Windows is a great platform to use tons of applications with an abundance of features. The interface is friendly, navigation is easy and a wide range of applications are compatible. However; things like product keys, different system errors, and begin under attack by malware make it less favorite.

For your Windows protection, you will need to purchase applications such as Antivirus, anti-malware, and other protection tools. While you will need to pay for applications, you are also compelled to buy the OS too.

To avoid purchasing tools and OS, Linux is a great way. As you will find both Linux and all its applications totally free.

Of Linux distributions, Ubuntu is one of the most favorite ones. Ubuntu has the ability to be customized in each and every section. However; there is still a catch there.

There are moments when you can’t find the application compatible with Ubuntu. Or you will need to perform certain tasks that are possible on Windows only. For such occasions, you will need to have a Windows OS.

It doesn’t mean that you will need to remove your Ubuntu from your current system. Instead, you can dual boot Ubuntu and Windows on your PC.

If you find it challenging to dual boot then you can also try virtualization.

What is virtualization?

In virtualization, you will use third-party applications such as VMware or VirtualBox. You are going to install them on your system. Once installed, you will run multiple other systems such as Windows (all versions), Linux (all distributions), and macOS.

For performing virtualization, you will need just the ISO file of the OS that you want to use. Users who want to run macOS can also use the DMG file.

Thanks to these applications, you are able to create any kind of environment that you like. From changing the RAM value to processor and graphics, all the sections are customizable. You will create a VM (virtual machine), install the OS on VM and use the OS.

How to Run Windows VM on Ubuntu?

To run Windows VM on Ubuntu, I have divided the entire process into three sections.

• Install VM on Ubuntu
• Download the ISO file
• Perform the installation of Windows

Install virtualization application on Ubuntu

There are tons of different applications that can be used for this purpose. You can use tools as VMware (Workstation or Player), VirtualBox, Parallels, Hyper-V, and more. However; for Linux distributions, you are limited to only VMware and VirtualBox.

Here I have used VMware for the purpose but you can also use VirtualBox. Download and install VMware on Ubuntu. Once installed then you will continue to the next step.

Download Windows ISO

Now you are going to download the Windows ISO file. It is up to you which version of Windows you are going to use. It can be Windows XP or Windows 10. You can even download Windows Server 2019 for this purpose.

Download the ISO file (dmg if you want to use macOS). This ISO file will be later used for the installation.

Install Windows VM on Ubuntu

Now you are going to install Windows VM on Ubuntu. For this, you are going to create a VM and then perform the installation.

For creating the VM, you will run VMware.

Then you will click on NEW and create a VM. Different phases will be there, you are going to select options accordingly and create a VM for your Windows. Once created, then you will install Windows.

If you find it challenging then you are recommended to check “Install Windows 10 Virtual Machine on Ubuntu”.

Some might also consider installing Ubuntu on Windows 10 and this will help them. Installing any system on VMware or VirtualBox is almost the same.

One thing that you will need to consider is to install an extension pack. If you are running Windows VM on Ubuntu inside VirtualBox then you will need to install the extension pack. As without this, you won’t be able to use your Windows at its peak.