How to Install VirtualBox on Ubuntu Linux

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The post provides a guide on how to install and configure Oracle VirtualBox on Ubuntu Linux, a cross-platform virtualization software that allows running multiple guest machines simultaneously on a single host computer. It also gives instructions on adding VirtualBox repository to Ubuntu and installing the latest version of VirtualBox, as well as explaining the download…

This post shows students and new users how to install and configure Oracle VirtualBox on Ubuntu Linux. VirtualBox is an open-source, cross-platform virtualization software that allows you to run multiple guest machines (virtual machines) simultaneously on a single host computer.

VirtualBox is generally used in test environments. In some development environments, a VirtualBox host is used to run multiple operating systems, which are used to test different test scenarios.

You can use a single machine as a host computer with VirtualBox and similar virtualization software. Then within the virtualization software, you can create multiple independent guest computers, each running its operating system.

Applications running one in one OS may not run efficiently on other operating systems. VirtualBox can be very helpful in this situation to ensure an application is tested to run anywhere on any operating system.

For more about VirtualBox, check its homepage.

VirtualBox software packages are available in the Ubuntu multiverse repository. However, the packages in there might not be the latest versions.

To install or Upgrade to VirtualBox’s latest software on Ubuntu, add its repository to Ubuntu so that you can always get the latest version when available.

How to add VirtualBox repository to Ubuntu

If you always want to get the latest versions of VirtualBox when they become available, you’ll want to add its software repository to Ubuntu.

Run the commands below to import and add your system’s Oracle public keys repository key.

wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -
wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -

After importing the repository key above, run the commands below to add the VirtualBox package repository file on Ubuntu Linux.

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

Once done, you’re ready to install Oracle VirtualBox on Ubuntu Linux.

How to install Oracle VirtualBox on Ubuntu

At this point, Ubuntu Linux should be ready to install the latest version of VirtualBox. At this time, the latest version of VirtualBox is 6.1.x.

Future releases might have a different version number. So go to the link below to find out the latest version when it’s available.

Downloads – Oracle VM VirtualBox

If the current version is still at 6.1.x, run the below commands. If a new version is available, replace the 6.1 version in the command below with the latest version.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install virtualbox-6.1

After installing, launch the app by going to the Activities dashboard and searching for VirtualBox, then selecting and opening it.

Oracle VirtualBox is installed on Ubuntu.

How to add VirtualBox extension pack

Oracle VirtualBox extension pack provides useful enhancements to the platform, including support for USB 2.0 | 3.0 devices, RDP, encryption, and many more. After installing VirtualBox on the host computer, you must always install the extension pack.

Open your browser, browse the link below, and select All supported platforms to download the pack.

Downloads – Oracle VM VirtualBox

VirtualBox

When prompted, select to open with Oracle VM VirtualBox (default)

Then click Install

Next, scroll down and accept the licensing terms and complete the installation. You will also be prompted to enter your password to continue the installation.

After successfully installing the extension pack, you can start creating new virtual machines.

That’s it!

Conclusion:

This post showed you how to install Oracle Virtual Box on Ubuntu Linux. Please use the comment form below if you find any errors above or have anything to add.

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