How to Test Windows 10 with VirtualBox

To be honest .. Windows 10 is the version of the Microsoft operating system that I do like the most .. finally! Not only in it function but also in the UI (User Interface) it‘s getting better and better.

If you still stick around with the previous version of Windows and want to try out this operating system before you plan to upgrade your system to Windows 10. In this post, I will show you how to test Windows 10 with a software called VirtualBox by Oracle.

Or maybe you’re a Mac user and want to test Windows 10. No problem, VirtualBox also available for Mac and its free!

There is other software like VMware fusion etc. But this time we use VirtualBox. You may have heard about this application or have seen people using it but you don’t know how to use it properly. That‘s okay! here, we will learn together how to test Windows 10 on VirtualBox. First, you need to download the free version of Windows 10 disc image and VirtualBox software. VirtualBox is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Solaris. Download Win 10 ISO file from Microsoft official website here; Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File)

And you can download VirtualBox software here; https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Make sure your hard disk still have free space at least 30 G. Because in order to install Win 10 on VirtualBox you need to create virtual disk at least 18 GB in size.

Okay here we go!

Creating virtual machine in VirtualBox

Open VirtualBox application in the left top of the app. Click on ‘New’ the dialog window will appear asking you to choose a name for the virtual machine type and version of the operating system.

Name it as you like, in machine ‘Type’ click on the dropdown menu and choose Microsoft Windows and choose Windows 10 for the ‘Version’ then click Continue. See screenshot below

Then in ‘Memory size’ select the amount of RAM to be allocated in virtual machine Recommended memory size is 2048 Mb, then click Continue.

In the Hard-disk section select ‘Create virtual hard disk now’ and click Create.

And then in ‘Hard disk file type’ select VDI (Virtual Disk Image) do not click continue button! Instead, click on ‘Expert Mode’ see screenshot.

In the Expert mode, set File size to at least 18 or 20 GB in size because in order to install Windows the disk must have at least 14 GB free space.

For ‘Storage on physical hard disk’ select on ‘Fixed size’ and click the Create button.

Now VirtualBox will create the VDI (Virtual Disk Image) for your new virtual machine. It takes times, so while you’re waiting you can grab a cup of tea or something.

When done, you will see your new virtual machine on the left part of the VirtualBox window. Now your machine is ready, but wait! don’t get hurry. First, you need to set the machine first.

Click on the Settings icon in the top left of the window.

On the window settings, click on the Storage tab. In the Storage tab, click on CD/DVD icon on the left click it!

Then, click the other ones in the right on the ‘Atributes‘ then click on ‘Choose Virtual Disk File’ then find for the downloaded Windows 10 ISO file you. have downloaded.

When done, click OK. see screenshot.

Now you can click on the green arrow icon to Start the virtual machine.

Installing Windows 10

After you click ‘Start’ the virtual machine will boot from the Virtual Optical Disc file according to the settings.

So just like typical OS installation, when Windows 10 installer done loading the installer you will be asked to Choose Language, Time and currencies format and Keyboard and input method. Choose what you desire and click Next, then click ‘Install now‘

On the next page, you will be asked for activation key, choose to click on ‘I don’t have a product key‘ then click Next.

Select the operating system you want to install and click ‘Next‘ > check on ‘I accept the license terms‘ and click ‘Next‘

In the page of the Windows setup, ask you ‘Which type installation do you want‘ select on ‘Custom: Install Windows only(Advance)‘ see screenshot below.

The next Windows setup page, you will be asked for ‘Where do you want to install Windows‘

You will see the virtual disk you’ve created earlier but is unformatted. To format it, click on ‘New‘ in the right below of the list table, a dialog window will pop up tell you that it will also create another partition for System reserved. It’s fine just click OK

And then you will have two partitions, partition 1 for system reserved and partition 2 for where Windows 10 will be installed on it. Just click ‘Next‘

Windows setup now will begin to installing ‘Windows 10’

When is done, it will restart automatically just let it be.. after restart the setup will ask you ”How would you like to set up?‘ just choose ”Set up for personal use‘ and click Next.

Then you will be asked for Sign in with Microsoft account, just sign in with your account if you like or just simply choose ‘Offline account‘ and click Next.

And then set-up your user name, password, meet the Cortana and so on.

Once again the Windows set up will restart. After polishing the system itself for you then …

Done!

Now you can start testing and evaluate the feature of Windows 10 in Virtual machine.

Enjoy!

Setting VirtualBox after the Windows installation

After succeed installing Windows 10, to make sure next time when you boot the virtual machine you boot from the Virtual disk 0 and not from disk 1 which is the CD / DVD go to ‘Settings‘ > System

In System settings change Boot order option, use up/down arrow to move up the Hard disk on top position. And it’s better to uncheck the floppy disk then click OK. See screenshot below.

You may also need to remove Windows ISO file from the CD/DVD disk in Settings > Storage.

Deleting the virtual machine

When you want to delete the virtual machine from VirtualBox and all its data, in the left part of Virtual box app right click on the Virtual machine you want to delete and click on remove.

You will get a warning and ask you to Remove only or Delete all files. Select Delete all files, so it will not leave your machine with 18 GB unused files.

OK that’s it! have fun with it.

PS. If you plan to upgrade to Windows 10 you need to know that in order to activate Windows 10 you need to buy the license key.