This post shows students and new users steps to install Windows 11 on a VirtualBox guest machine. The steps below will address many issues that users are experiencing about not being able to install Windows 11 as a VirtualBox virtual machine.
VirtualBox is an open-source, cross-platform virtualization software that allows users to run multiple guest machines (virtual machines) simultaneously on a single host computer.
The latest version of VirtualBox has a template for Windows 11. However, when one creates a Windows 11 VM and attempts to install Windows 11, one will get an error that the machine does not meet Windows 11 basic requirements.
To be able to install Windows 11 on VirtualBox, you’ll need to include some registry flags to not check for TPM, RAM, and Secure boot requirements, and we will show you how to do that when we’re installing Windows 11.
How to install Windows 11 VM on VirtualBox
As mentioned, users can create a VM on VirtualBox and install Windows 11 using non-standard installation workarounds. Below we will show you how to do that when using VirtualBox.
To install Windows 11 on VirtualBox, the first step is to properly configure the virtual machine to meet Microsoft requirements for running Windows 11.
Before we begin, make sure that you have VirtualBox installed. If you haven’t already done so, read the post below:
How to install VirtualBox on Windows 11
Next, you must create a Windows 11 virtual machine (VM). To learn how to do that, read the post below:
How to create Windows 11 virtual machine
Once you’ve done the steps above, go to these settings and validate that they meet Windows 11 requirements.
Open VirtualBox and go to Settings > System. Under the Motherboard tab, make sure 4096 MB or 4 GB RAM is set up.
On the same windows, under the Processor tab, make sure 2 is selected.
Next, select the Storage window and configure that a minimum of 64 GB was created.
On the Display window, confirm that Video Memory is 256MB, and Graphics Controller is VBoxSVGA, enabling 3D Acceleration.
You can continue installing Windows 11 on the virtual machine when everything is validated.
How to set up Windows 11
Once the VM is validated to meet Windows requirements, select the Windows 11 ISO file or insert a disc containing Windows 11.
Go to Settings > Storage from the VirtualBox menu and select Empty device. Then use the browse button for the ISO file or DVD with Windows 11.
Once mounted, you should see the Windows 11 ISO attached to the CD/DVD device. Click the OK button to return to the VM center.
Next, click the Start button to start the Windows 11 VM.
Once the machine is started, you’ll be prompted to type any key on your keyboard to boot Windows 11.
On the Windows Setup window, select the language to install, time and currency format, keyboard input method, and click Next.
Next, click the Install Now screen, and press the SHIFT + F10 keys on your keyboard simultaneously to launch a command prompt.
At this command prompt, type regedit and press enter to launch the Windows Registry Editor.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
There, right-click on the Setup key and select New => Key. Then type in the new key value LabConfig and press Enter.
After creating the LabConfig Key, right-click on the LabConfig Key and select New => DWORD (32-bit). Then, name the BypassTPMCheck and its data to 1.
Follow the same steps above for BypassTPMCheck and create and DWORD (32-bit) value name BypassRAMCheck and set its data to 1. Next, create another DWORD (32-bit) value named BypassSecureBootCheck and set its data to 1.
With those three values created under LabConfig, close the regedit windows and exit the Command Prompt to return to the setup windows.
Click the Install now button to start the installation.
Windows will now continue and prompt for a product key to activate Windows. If you have it, type it in the field or click the link that you don’t have a product key to continue with the installation.
Next, select the version of Windows 11 you wish to install and click Next.
After that, accept the end user license agreement and continue.
Next, select which type of installation you want. You can upgrade the previous Windows version or install a new copy. For this tutorial, we’re installing a new Windows 11.
Next, select the Unallocated space and click Next.
Then choose the country or region you are currently located.
Next, choose the keyboard layout or input method for your selected location.
Next, type in the name of your computer and click Next.
After that, choose where and how you will use the Windows device; for personal use or set up for work or school.
Next, choose Offline account if you want to set up a local account on the computer without a Microsoft online account.
Next, type and confirm your password, including security questions.
When you’re done, Windows will reboot several times and complete the setup. After that, you should be able to log in with the password created above.
That should do it!
Conclusion:
This post showed you how to install Windows 11 on a VirtualBox guest machine. Please use the comment form below if you find any errors above or have something to add.
Leave a Reply