Stepping into the world of virtual computing can seem daunting, but it offers a realm of possibilities, one of which is running different operating systems without partitioning your main hard drive or compromising your primary OS. A Virtual Machine (VM) is a digital replica of a physical computer, allowing users to simulate various hardware and software configurations in a controlled environment. This emulation of computer systems ensures you can run multiple OSes on a single piece of hardware. With the introduction of Windows 11, there’s a growing interest in exploring its features without fully committing to a direct installation. Using Oracle’s VirtualBox, a popular virtualization software, you can test drive Windows 11 seamlessly. However, there are prerequisites like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to install Windows 11. Unfortunately, VirtualBox does not natively support these requirements. But don’t fret! By making some tweaks to the Windows 11 ISO, primarily removing TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements, you can smoothly run Windows 11 within a virtual environment. Dive into our detailed guide on risewindows to prepare your Windows 11 ISO for a VM setup and embark on your virtual journey!
How to Install Windows 11 on VirtualBox Virtual Machine?
Follow these steps to install Windows 11 on VirtualBox Virtual Machine:-
Step 1: First, you need to download and install the latest version of the free Oracle VM VirtualBox.
Step 2: Launch the app by double-clicking on the desktop icon.
Step 3: Click on New to create a new virtual machine.
Step 4: As the next window opens, write Windows 11 next to the Name box. From the Machine Folder drop-down menu, go to the folder’s location where you want to store the new virtual machine. In the Type drop-down, pick Microsoft Windows. Finally, select Windows 10 (64-bit) from the Version drop-down menu.
Step 5: Click on Next after completing all the above steps.
Step 6: In the following window, specify the RAM size for your virtual machine. Use the slider to increase or decrease the RAM size as suitable.
On a side note, 2 GB RAM is recommended for a 64-bit OS, and for a 32-bit operating system, at least 1 GB of RAM is recommended. However, it can consistently be increased or decreased according to your system capacity. For our example, let us set the RAM capacity to 3GB.
Step 7: Click on Next.
Step 8: In the next window, you will find three options:-
- Do not add a virtual hard disk,
- Create a virtual hard disk now,
- Use an existing virtual hard disk file.
Here, select the second option, i.e., “Create a virtual hard disk now,” and click on Create.
Step 9: Leave the default option VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) as the hard disk file type on the next screen.
Step 10: Click on Next.
Step 11: On the next window, you will see the following options:-
- Dynamically allocated
- Fixed-size
Now, you need to choose between the two options given above. If you select the Dynamically allocated option, it will keep increasing or decreasing the virtual hard disk’s size automatically depending on your virtual machine’s size. You might notice an issue with the performance; however, it is suitable for those whose storage space is running out. On the other hand, choosing the Fixed-size will get the size of your virtual hard fixed according to what you specify.
Select the Dynamically allocated or Fixed size option, and click the Next button.
Step 12: As the following screen that appears, specify the maximum size of your virtual hard disk. The slider can increase or decrease the maximum allocated hard drive size. Although you can write your own by clicking on its size, allocating at least 64GB of HDD to run your Windows 11 smoothly.
Step 13: Now, click on Create.
Step 14: You will see that a virtual hard disk is created that will show the details of your virtual machine.
Step 15: Up to here, the Windows version to install is specific, a virtual hard disk drive is created, and RAM is allocated for installing the Windows 11 OS. Now, you are ready to install Windows 11 on VirtualBox. You will need a bootable Windows 11 USB flash drive, a Windows 11 Bootable DVD, or a bootable ISO. The bootable ISO of Windows 11 is generally preferred to install Windows 11 on a virtual machine.
After getting the edited bootable ISO file of Windows 11 ready, go to the VirtualBox Setting icon as shown below.
Step 16: Next, click on the Storage option you see on the left side pane, and then on the right, click on the Empty as shown below.
Step 17: Now, you will find a CD icon next to Optical Drive. Click on it and select “Choose/Create a Virtual Optical Disk.”
Step 18: Click the Add option from the menu you see under the Optical Disk Selector dialog box.
Step 19: After that, find the modified Windows 11 ISO file and open it.
Step 20: Click the Choose button and attach the Windows 11 ISO file to your virtual Windows 11 OS.
Step 21: If the Empty place has been filled with a Windows 11 ISO file and looks like the following image, click OK.
Step 22: Finally, Windows 11 is ready to be installed on your virtual machine. Select the Start button now.
Step 23: Once you’re done with the above steps, your Virtual Machine will be booted from the selected Windows 11 ISO and will be installed on your Virtual Machine. Now, select language, time & currency format, and keyboard input method when prompted. Now, click on Next.
Step 24: Click on Install now in the next window.
Step 25: On the next screen, you will be prompted to enter the product key and activate Windows. Type the genuine product key if you have it or click the link “I don’t have a product key.”
Step 26: Next, select the Windows 11 edition that you would like to install in the next window. Next, click on Next.
Step 27: Here, you need to check the box, “I accept the Microsoft Software Licence Terms. I am authorized to bind the organization if an organization is licensing it.” After doing that, click on Next.
Step 28: You will see the below two options:-
- Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings, and applications.
- Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
You need to choose the second option since you will install a fresh Windows 11, “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).”
Step 29: Click on Next.
Step 30: Next, the installation progress will show up for your Windows 11. The virtual machine will start copying the required files to run Windows 11. After completing that, the computer will be restarted automatically.
Step 31: Next, select the country and then click on Yes.
Step 32: If you find an error on the next screen, you need to ignore it and click on theSkip button. This OOBEKEYBORD is just a keyboard error.
Step 33: Now, Windows 11 will start searching for the update. After waiting a while, click on the option “Set up for personal use” you see on the next screen. Then, click on Next.
Step 34: Create a user account on your Windows 11 machine. You can log in with a Microsoft Account if your PC has active internet or click on the link “Sign-in options” if you want to add an offline user account.
Step 35: Now, click on the Offline account option.
Step 36: Click on the Limited experience link.
Step 37: Find the “Enter your name” field and type the user name you’d like to use on your system, then click on Next.
Step 38: Enter the user name’s password and click on Next.
Step 39: Confirm the password and click on Next.
Step 40: Next, choose the security question and answer. You have to select three security questions one by one and need to reply to them. After that, click on Next.
Step 41: Now, the privacy settings options will open. All the options will be turned On by default. However, you can disable them if you want. Finally, click on Accept.
It will successfully install Windows 11 on your virtual machine, and when you’re done with that, it will open the Settings app.
Check the virtual Windows 11 to see if it’s running fine. Also, we recommend you install Guess Additions to Windows 11 in VirtualBox.
That’s it.
Conclusion
Setting up Windows 11 on a VirtualBox virtual machine provides a secure and isolated environment to explore the new features of the operating system without altering your primary setup. The detailed steps above guide users through the entire process of creating and setting up a virtual machine for Windows 11. With a little patience and attention to detail, even beginners can navigate the setup and enjoy a virtual Windows 11 experience.
