Install Linux Mint in Virtualbox - Here's how

To test the Linux Mint operating system without having to install it as a full operating system, you can use VirtualBox. Linux Mint runs in a virtual environment on your current operating system. We show you how to install Linux Mint in the VirtualBox.

Install VirtualBox and download Linux Mint

Download VirtualBox and install the program on your computer.
Also install the VirtualBox Extension Pack so that you can later use all components of Linux Mint.
If you do not yet have Linux Mint installation media, you can download the ISO file from CHIP in the 32-bit version or the 64-bit version.
If you do not know which version to choose, we will help you in the article "32 bit or 64 bit" and in the video.

Install Linux Mint in VirtualBox

Illustrated instructions for installing Linux Mint in VirtualBox can be found in the image gallery below.

Start the VirtualBox program and click "New".
Give the operating system any name. The name is "Linux Mint" and choose the option "Linux" for "Type" and for "Version", if Linux Mint is not yet in the list, the option "Other Linux" with the corresponding bit number. Confirm with "Next".
Now specify how much memory you want to make available for Linux Mint. The color scale helps you to choose. You should provide at least 512 MB. If you want to use Linux and your actual operating system in parallel, you should make sure that enough RAM is available for both systems. Windows usually requires more RAM than Linux. We choose 1024 MB for Linux, so that 7 GB remain for Windows 10.
In the next step, select the "Create hard disk" option and click "Create". Leave the preset option "VDI" activated and click "Next".
The wizard now asks whether you want to create your hard disk dynamically allocated or choose a fixed size. Dynamically allocated hard drives grow with the storage requirements, hard drives with a fixed storage size are a bit faster. Depending on how many programs you want to install on your Linux version, you should make at least 10 GB available.
In the next step, give the hard disk a name and choose a maximum or a fixed size. Click "Create" to create the virtual machine.
Select the machine you just created and click "Start".
Select the drive in which you have inserted your Linux CD or click on the small icon next to the selection field and select your downloaded Linux Mint file.
Start the installation by clicking on "Start".