Guide to set up a VM instance. Execute sequentially.
- download Virtualbox https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
- (omakase) download via torrent Linux OS image (xubuntu)
- click through install wizard with default settings Allow computer to be woken up by a magic packet so that if the host goes to sleep, then the guest won't permanently lose networking capability
- device manager > network adapters > {select the network adapter the particular VM uses > right click > properties > only allow a magic packet to wake the computer: true (Due to bug in VirtualBox where VM loses network capability, this, in part, helps.)
- Name: {vm_name}
- (doesn't matter. it will be overwritten by bootable image OS) Type: Linux
- (doesn't matter. it will be overwritten by bootable image OS) Version: Ubuntu
- (omakase) Memory Size quarter to half of host's
- "Create a virutal hard disk now"
- File location: {host_vm_instance_folder}
- VDI
- (omakase) Dynamically allocated
- (omakase) File size: 32.00 GB (If the opportunity to select here was missed or if modifications are needed after VM listing is created, go to VirtualBox > VM instance > right click > settings > storage > controller SATA > Add hard disk > create new disk > Expert mode in folder: {host_vm_instance_folder} )
- general > advanced > shared clipboard: bidirectional
- general > advanced > drag'n'drop: bidirectional
- general > advanced > snapshot folder: {host_vm_instance_folder}\Snapshots (create a shortcut in host machine to this folder)
- system > processor > processors: (omakase) greater_of(n/2, 1)
- (omakase) system > processor > execution cap: 95%
- display > video memory: (max)
- display > enable 2d video acceleration: on
- storage: remove IDE controller. Use SATA controller for images
- network > attached to: bridged
- network > promiscuous mode: VMs only (Due to bug in VirtualBox where VM loses network capability, this, in part, helps.)
- run VM
- (omakase) select startup disk - select Linux OS image here
(If the opportunity to select here was missed, specify in VirtualBox > VM listing > right click > settings > storage
- (omakase) controller SATA add optical drive: downloaded OS image (xubuntu)
- delete other controller if it is listed as having priority over the chosen controller )
- English
- click Install xUbuntu
- install updates while downloading: true
- erase disk and install xubuntu: true
- install now
- select timezone
- pick root user name
- pick VM linux computer name (if using for production, encrypt /home folder: true)
- click restart
- press enter to resume
install guest additions (enables features: seamless mode, shared folders, clipboard, etc.)
- Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD Image
- restart
- open folder of gues additions image. one will be created on the desktop, or there will be a popup.
- run the following file with sudo:
sudo sh ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
- restart by doing a full shut down and spin up. (should now be able to press right_ctrl + L for seamless mode. The mounted controller image will be VBoxGuestAdditions.iso)
- VBox instance > shared folders > (click) add new folder icon
- (omakase) select windows path: C:\Users{host_username}\VirtualBox VMs{vm_name}{linux_shared_folder_name} read only: false auto mount: true make permanent: true add your linux user to the vboxsf group vboxsf is the default group name
sudo usermod -a -G vboxsf {guest_linux_user}
- shut down and restart guest
the sf_{linux_shared_folder_name} will be visible under /media folder
create symlink of the shared folder under the linux user home directory
sudo ln -s /media/sf_{linux_shared_folder_name} $HOME/{symlinked_linux_shared_folder_name}