How to Install Windows 10 in Oracle VM VirtualBox 7.0

This comprehensive guide empowers you to effortlessly set up and configure Windows 10 on a cutting-edge virtual machine using Oracle VM VirtualBox 7.0. Whether operating on Windows 11 or 10, our step-by-step walkthrough ensures a seamless and efficient setup process. With crystal-clear instructions and invaluable transitions, you’ll confidently configure your virtual machine and unlock unparalleled performance.

How to Run Windows 10 OS on a Virtual Machine using VirtualBox 7 Version

Oracle VM VirtualBox is a cost-free virtual machine software compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms. It can be easily installed on host hardware that supports virtualization, offering a flexible solution for virtualization purposes.

This software provides an alternative strategy to the classic dual-boot technique, where instead of installing another operating system directly on your host computer, you can make a new virtual computer within it. This allows you to seamlessly install and use the desired operating system on the virtual appliance.

Installing VirtualBox on your existing Windows or Linux platform becomes straightforward if your computer supports VTx technology. For example, consider using Linux/Ubuntu as your host software system. You can seamlessly integrate Windows 10 into your Ubuntu environment by leveraging VirtualBox, ensuring minimal performance impact.

After installing an operating system with VirtualBox, you need to install the Guest Additions package to get more performance from the virtual machine and to install drivers for system devices that the system cannot install. In this way, you can use the virtual machine in full-screen resolution or transfer files between the host and the VM by drag and drop method.

How to Create a New Virtual Machine for Windows 10 OS Correctly

Once VirtualBox is successfully established on your system, setting up a virtual PC becomes essential if you intend to experience and test the latest versions of Windows 10. Merely relying on the program’s default settings can lead to potential performance issues. Therefore, enabling specific options in the virtual machine’s settings is crucial to optimize its performance.

Step 1

After opening Oracle VM VirtualBox, you can click New under Machine from the menu in the simple user interface or click the New button in the section with large icons to start the VM wizard.

Step 2

When you type the name of the system you will install in the Name field in the Virtual Machine Name and Operating System window in the virtual machine wizard, the values in the Type and Version fields will be automatically set according to the system you have typed.

Type Windows 10 in the Name field and select a folder in the Folder field on an external SSD, HDD device, or your host disk.

Of course, suppose you’re using a next-gen desktop or laptop computer. In that case, you’ll likely have the NVMe driver, and VM performance will improve considerably. However, instead of filling the storage capacity of this new technology disks by creating more than one virtual machine, we recommend installing it on a portable disk.

In addition, as the performance of your disk may decrease over time as you overwrite SSD or NVMe drives, it would be beneficial to store only the VM you will use the most on these disks.

Step 3

To add the 22H2 ISO file, the latest version of Windows 10, to the virtual machine, click Other from the drop-down menu in the ISO Image section, select the image file you downloaded to your computer in the window that opens, and open it.

Step 4

One of the current innovations in version 7 of VirtualBox is the unattended installation settings. If you want to continue with the old method, select Skip Unattended Installation and click Next.

Step 5

Configure the virtual memory size for the Windows 10 machine according to the RAM capacity of your host. Suppose your host device has a RAM capacity of 16 GB. In that case, performance needs to configure 8 GB or 4 GB memory size in the Memory Size window.

At the same time, you can configure a more stable guest machine performance by increasing the number of virtual processor cores in the Hardware settings.

Step 6

In the Virtual Hard Disk Configuration window, you can incorporate a previously installed virtual disk file into the newly created virtual computer. Specify the ‘Use an existing virtual hard disk file’ option and add the desired file to integrate it seamlessly. However, to install Windows 10 from scratch, check the Create a Virtual Hard Disk Now selection, specify the disk size, and click the Create Button.

NOTE: The disk configuration interface differs in VirtualBox’s 6.x versions. Therefore, if you are using an old version, select the virtual HDD disk file VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) at this stage and click Next. In the Storage HDD window, specify Dynamically Allocated and click Next. Then, if you want to allocate a storage space equal to the virtual disk size of the VM from your host disk, you should choose Fixed Size. The Fixed Size option may slightly increase the performance of the virtual machine. Still, your storage will be significantly reduced when you install multiple VMs.

Step 7

Check the virtual hardware settings of the Windows 10 operating system you created in the Summary window and close the window.

Step 8

Click Settings to configure the guest machine’s settings most professionally.

Step 9

In the Advanced tab of the General settings, enable the Shared Clipboard and Drag’n’Drop options to transfer files between the virtual machine and your host PC.

Step 10

In the System settings, remove the Floppy indicator from the devices in the Boot Order inventory in the Motherboard section, select Optical, then move it to the first row with the up arrow key.

In the system window, you can reconfigure the RAM memory size assigned to your virtual PC or enable Secure Boot for system security and the EFI option if you set up your system with UEFI.

Step 11

Configure the number of virtual processors of your VM by the capacity of your host CPU. If your processor has 8 cores, you can allocate 4 virtual cores specifically for the Windows 10 virtual machine.

If you plan to utilize virtualization software like VMware or Hyper-V within the system you are setting up, you can enable the Nested VT-x/AMD-V feature.

Step 12

The Paravirtualization Interface setting on the Acceleration tab is default by default. VirtualBox automatically adjusts the virtualization setting according to the operating system platform to be installed.

By enabling Nested Paging in the Hardware Virtualization section, you can increase your performance and better memory management between your virtual system and your host.

Step 13

In the Display setting, in the Screen area, enable the 3D Acceleration option and configure the Video Memory size to the final value so that the host GPU can use the graphics memory so that the virtual machine can process the graphics better.

Step 14

Since you will install Windows 10 on the NVMe virtual disk, delete the VDI disk file in the SATA Controller section.

Step 15

Another typical performance problem after installing Windows 10 with VirtualBox is incorrect disk controller settings. After clicking on the Storage settings, Controller: Select the SATA controller and enable the Host I/O Cache option.

In this document, Oracle clearly states the Host I/O Cache feature, one of the critical components of virtual machine performance in VirtualBox.

Step 16

To add an NVMe disk in VirtualBox, click the add icon as in the image below and select NVMe (PCIe) from the listed controllers.

Step 17

After adding NVMe Controller, add Windows 10.vdi virtual disk and enable Host I/O Cache for a disk file.

Step 18

Tick Solide-State Drive to improve the write and read speeds of Windows 10.vdi disk file.

Step 19

Enable the use of USB devices in your VM and select 3.0 as the controller and turn off settings.

Step 20

After making all the settings, if you try to install the system without making any corrections to the virtual machine, you will not be able to see the virtual disk during the Windows installation phase, as we have added the NVMe virtual disk structure.

Close the Oracle VirtualBox program and run CMD or Powershell as an administrator, and then run the codes below to fix the NVMe disk error.

.\VBoxManage setextradata 'Windows 10' "VBoxInternal/Devices/nvme/0/Config/MsiXSupported" 0
.\VBoxManage setextradata 'Windows 10' "VBoxInternal/Devices/nvme/0/Config/CtrlMemBufSize" 0Copy

Step 21

After fixing the VirtualBox NVMe disk error, run your virtual computer for installation.

How to Install Windows 10

Up to this step, you have created a new and correct virtual PC for Microsoft Windows 10. You can install the virtual guest system after running your VM and booting from the startup disk.

Step 1

Choose your preferred system language on the Windows 10 setup screen, configure the period and date format, and select the appropriate keyboard layout. Once accomplished, proceed by clicking the Next button.

Step 2

After configuring your required system settings, click the Install Now button.

Step 3

If you possess a Windows 10 license key for the virtual system, you can enter it in this window. In addition, if you don’t have it, click the “I don’t have a product key” choice to proceed.

Step 4

Select the preferred edition of Windows 10 that you wish to install on your VM, then hit Next to proceed.

Step 5

Read and accept the Windows 10 Pro license agreement and click Next again.

Step 6

Click Install Windows Only to install Windows 10 as a new operating system.

Step 7

In the disk configuration window, select the unallocated space, click New, and then click the Apply button to confirm the automatically set disk space. Click OK in the window informing you that Windows will create additional areas for the system to run more smoothly and continue.

Step 8

Select Partition to install the system on the partitioned disk space and continue with Next.

Step 9

Wait while the files are being prepared for installation.

Step 10

The setup wizard will initiate a system reboot at the end of the scheduled timer. If you do not want to stay for the specified restart duration, you must immediately click the “Restart Now” choice.

Step 11

After the system has copied the files, wait while the services start.

Step 12

Wait while the devices are being prepared.

Step 13

Configure the Windows 10 region selection stage according to your homeland and click the Yes button.

Step 14

Suppose you modify the keyboard layout you initially selected on the setup screen. In that case, you can make this adjustment on the Keyboard Layout screen.

Step 15

Click the “Add Layout” button to include an additional keyboard layout. Alternatively, if you prefer to proceed without adding a second layout, click the “Skip” button.

Step 16

You can choose how to use your guest OS system in this window. Suppose the VM you have installed will be used in an organization. In that case, you can join the Active Directory domain with the “Set up for an organization” option.

If you will use your virtual OS with a local account without a Microsoft account, decide to Set it up for personal use and click Next.

Step 17

You can conveniently log in using your existing authorization to utilize a synchronized virtual system with a Microsoft account. Nevertheless, if you don’t have it, you can form a new member by preferring the ‘Create Account’ feature.

Click Offline Account to add an account without a Microsoft account or later.

Step 18

Windows still recommends using cloud-based solutions and a Microsoft account for easier access to the apps you use from all your devices.

If you do not wish to use these services, click Limited Experience.

Step 19

Type a new user account name for your Windows 10 virtual system and click Next.

Step 20

To enable a password-protected login to your virtual system, type a strong and memorable password and click Next.

Step 21

By choosing to configure your Windows 10 privacy settings according to your personal views, enable and disable the appropriate options.

Step 22

You can select the relevant category or click the Skip button to configure your personal virtual PC according to your experience.

Step 23

Please click the ‘Accept’ button if you wish to utilize Cortana. Alternatively, hit the ‘Not Now’ choice if you do not intend to use it now.

Step 24

Wait while your desktop and required system settings are configured, and do not turn off your VM.

Step 25

Windows 10 desktop view and system features are as follows.

How to Install Guest Additions

Upon installing the Windows 10 guest system on your virtual PC, it is necessary to establish the Guest Additions software. This installation will facilitate the installation of any missing drivers, set up the display adapter, and enable the utilization of the virtual PC’s complete range of capabilities.

Step 1

To begin, initiate right-click on the Windows 10 start menu. From the available options that appear, select “Device Manager.” By accessing the Device Manager, you can observe that one driver remains uninstalled, and the virtual GPU installation is absent.

To install Guest Additions on Windows 10, click Devices / Insert Guest Additions CD Image from the Oracle menu.

Step 2

If the VirtualBox Additions installation wizard does not open automatically, open My Computer, view the setup file’s contents, and double-click VBoxWindowsAdditions-amd64 to start the installation.

Step 3

When the guest add-ons wizard opens, click Next to continue.

Step 4

You should leave the install location at the default location because you cannot use your VM in full-screen resolution if you get any errors.

Step 5

If you do not want the start menu items added in the components selection window, uncheck the appropriate option and continue.

If Windows Security asks to allow Oracle software drivers to be installed, enable the Always Trust Oracle Corporation software option and click the Install button.

Step 6

After installing the guest plugins on the Windows 10 virtual computer, restart your guest system.

Step 7

After restarting your VM, recheck Device Manager, and you can see all drivers are installed. Also, you can check that the VirtualBox Graphics Adapter (WDDM) device is working fine.

When you want to use your Windows 10 virtual system in full-screen resolution, you can click View / Full Screen from the tool menu.

Step 8

Check that file copying is possible when you drag and drop countless files from the desktop zone of your host computer to your Windows VM.

How to Check Internet Connection

Another crucial aspect to verify is the virtual machine’s (VM) Internet connection. By default, VirtualBox configures installed virtual machines in the NAT network type. You can configure this network type in Network settings during VM creation.

Step 1

Open the CMD command console on your Windows 10 guest machine. Check the network association by pinging the Google servers with the ping 8.8.8.8 command.

Step 2

If pinging the Google servers successfully, you can visit the Google homepage via a web browser.

How to Configure Shared Folder

Shared Folder allows for more effortless data transfer by enabling shared folder sharing between the VM and the host PC.

Step 1

To activate Shared Folder on VirtualBox, click Devices / Shared Folders / Shared Folders Settings from the program’s menu.

Step 2

When Shared Folders opens automatically in the virtual machine settings window, click the Add button. Create a folder in a location you specify on your host and add the area in the Folder Path section. You can configure the public folder as a network drive by enabling the Auto-Mount and Make Permanent options.

Step 3

Click the OK button and save the Shared Folder settings.

Step 4

When you check the public folder on my computer, you can see it added as a network drive.

Step 5

When you view the network, you can see that the network and sharing settings are initially turned off. After enabling network and sharing settings in Windows 10 in this window, the VBOXSVR device will be visible.

How to Use USB Flash Drive in VM

It is easy to introduce a USB Flash Memory that you have inserted into your physical computer to the virtual machine on VirtualBox. You can quickly connect your USB stick between the host and the VM.

Step 1

Insert your flash memory into one of the USB slots on your host computer and produce a folder named “Backup” as an illustration.

Step 2

After inserting your flash memory into your host, click Devices / USB / Name of your USB from the VirtualBox tool menu, respectively.

Step 3

After selecting your USB device on VirtualBox, you can see your portable storage device when you view My Computer on your guest system.

Video

Installing Old Versions

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