Windows under Linux

Ok, some things I may need to do in Windows (for now).
So I will install a virtual Windows machine using VirtualBox.

Install

• Applications > Add/Remove Applications
• Show: All available applications
• Search: virtualbox
• Check VirtualBox OSE and Apply Changes
• Run VirtualBox (Applications > System Tools > VirtualBox OSE)

Creating a new Virtual Machine

• Click New and follow the instructions (a virtual hard disk is needed, but you'll be easily guided through the installer)
• Go to Synaptic Package Manager
• Search for virtualbox
  
• Install virtualbox-ose module for your kernel (like linux-image-2.6.24-16-generic)
• Install virtualbox-ose-guest module for your kernel (like linux-image-2.6.24-16-generic)
• Go to System > Administration > Users and Groups
• In Manage Groups find vboxusers, click Properties and add your user to this Group
• Logout from Ubuntu
• Back to VirtualBox
• Go to Settings > CD/DVD-ROM and mount your Windows CD or iso Windows file
• Start the Virtual Machine and install Windows
• Tip: Click in the VirtualBox window to get the mouse pointer into Windows and click Alt+Ctrl to get the mouse pointer back to Ubuntu
• Note: I used Brasero to create a ISO image of Windows XP

Share folders with the Virtual Machine

• In the VirtualBox window go to Devices > Install Guest Additions
• This will download an iso image file, mounting it in Windows and install Guest Additions for Windows
  
• Shutdown Windows
• Go to Settings > Shared Folder and add the folders you want to share
• Start Windows and map a Network Drive to:
  

\\vboxsvr\yoursharedfolder

VirtualBox running modes

• Windowed: in this case Windows will be displayed in a window
• Fullscreen: in this case Windows will be displayed in full screen
• Seemless mode: in this case Windows will be integrated into Gnome
  

Further reading:

• Ubuntu Forums

last updated: 01-05-2008