1. Download Ubuntu and Virtual Box.

I used Ubuntu because it’s the most familiar linux distribution and Virtual Box because it’s free.

Ubuntu – http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
VirtualBox – https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

I downloaded Ubuntu 13.04 though the LTS version should be fine too.

2. Install VirtualBox
I went with all the defaults.
It should look like this once installed.
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3. Click new and create a virtual machine.
Change the type to Linux, and choose Ubuntu. Name it whatever you’d like.
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4. Choose Memory size. Default is 512mb. But I used 2048mb. My laptop has 8gb of ram so I figured I could spare some extra. (I’m not sure if it helps at all!)
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5. Create a virtual hard drive now
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6. Click next (I did default for most settings)
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7. Next
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8. Create
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We are now done creating the virtual partition. Now to setup a CD/DVD rom on our machine
9. Right click on your new vm and click settings
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10. Click on Storage and then click on + that is add CD/DVD device.
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11. Choose disk
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12. Find where your Ubuntu download was saved and choose it
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It should now look like this
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13. Click on System and make sure the boot order has CD/DVD-Rom then Hard drive. I deselected Floppy, but it shouldn’t matter.
virtual13

14. Click on your VM then start it. After it loads, install Ubuntu as you would on a normal system.
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After installing, reset your vm and you’re done. Happy Virtual Ubuntu using!

Just click start whenever you want to use your new vm.
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