How to Install Ubuntu/Linux Operating System on a Virtual Machine(VM)
Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a VM and Installing Ubuntu Server 22.04 on it.
Creating a virtual test lab or a single VM is one of the best ways to practice enterprise IT concepts such as installing Windows OS, Ubuntu/Linux, MAC and more.
In this guide, we’ll walk through installing Ubuntu Server 22.04 on a VM created with VMware Workstation 17 Pro.
1. Download, Installation VMware Workstation Pro and Creating a VM
You can create a single VM or a virtual test lab for practice using VMware Workstation. The Pro version is available for free on the Broadcom website. You can download it here by signing in or creating an account.
System Requirements (recommended for smooth lab practice)-
i. 8‑core vCPU
ii. 16–32 GB RAM
iii. SSD storage (at least 100 GB free)
You’ll need VMware Workstation installed and a VM created. If you haven’t set that up yet, please refer to our post: Create a Virtual Machine.
2. Install Ubuntu Server 22.04 on a VM.
Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions (open source operating system), widely used for servers, desktops, and cloud environments. Installing it is straight forward, but knowing the right options during setup ensures a smooth experience.
It can be installed directly on the compatible laptop/desktop or even on any Virtual machine.
We already created a VM and selected the Ubuntu Server ISO during VM creation. If not, you can click Edit VM Settings and select the ISO under the CD/DVD device option.
If the ISO is not available, you can download it directly from the Ubuntu website (Server) or For GUI Ubuntu Desktop.
We’re now ready to install the Ubuntu Server. If you’d like to watch a step‑by‑step walkthrough of these steps, please visit our YouTube Video.
Steps:-
- Start the above created VM.
- Once VM started, the VM will boot from the chosen ISO image and automatically launch the Ubuntu installation wizard
- Select “Try or Install Ubuntu Server.” Use arrow/TAB keys to navigate and Press Enter.
3. Configure Ubuntu Installation Settings
Once the setup begins, you’ll be prompted to configure several required details and settings.
Steps:-
- Select the Language. Use arrow/TAB keys to navigate and press Enter for next step.
- Select the Keyboard Layout if required or keep default. Use arrow/TAB keys to navigate to Done and press Enter.
- Select the option “Ubuntu Server.” Use arrow/TAB keys to navigate. Select Done and press Enter.
- Select “Continue without Network” and press Enter. We’ll configure Network later in our next post.
- Keep default setting and press Enter on next steps.
- Select “Continue without Updating” and press Enter. Packages can be updated later after installation.
- At the storage layout step, select “Use an entire disk“, then navigate to Done using the arrow/TAB keys and press Enter.
- At the File System Summary step, either accept the default configuration (proceed to Step 12) or adjust the Logical Volume Manager (LVM) settings such as size and format.
- If you need to edit a Logical Volume, select the LV in the Used Devices list with the TAB key, press Enter to view options, select Edit, and press Enter again to edit LV.
- At the Logical Volume editing step, adjust settings like size or format as needed. Navigate using the arrow/TAB keys, then select Save and press Enter to confirm.
- If you want to create a new Logical Volume, select Free Space and press Enter to open options. Select Create Logical Volume, press Enter, then define the size, format, and LV name. Finally, move to Create and press Enter to confirm.
- At the Storage Configuration step, move to Done using the arrow/TAB keys and press Enter.
- Choose Continue and press Enter to confirm disk erase and formatting for installation.
- At Profile Setup step, Enter your name, computer name, username, and password. These credentials will be used for your first login. Use the arrow/TAB keys to navigate, select Done and press Enter.
- Choose “Skip Ubuntu Pro setup for now” and Continue. We can enable Ubuntu Pro later.
- Select “Install OpenSSH server” for remote access, navigate to Done and press Enter.
- At this stage, the installation process starts. It typically finishes in just a few minutes.
- Once completed, reboot the system and remove/disconnect the installation media/ISO.
- Select the Language. Use arrow/TAB keys to navigate and press Enter for next step.
4. Post Installation - First Login
After the reboot, the system will display the login prompt. Enter the username and password you created during Profile Setup (Step-14).
- Enter the Username and Password and press Enter. Note: Password characters will not be visible while typing.
- Now we can update packages or test basic commands to verify installation like date/ls/mkdir/vim/cd/rm/rmdir etc.
- Enter the Username and Password and press Enter. Note: Password characters will not be visible while typing.
Your base Ubuntu Server VM is now ready for lab practice.
Pro Tip: Use VMware’s Snapshot feature after a clean installation. Snapshots allow you to roll back easily if something breaks during experimentation.
We have successfully installed Ubuntu Server 22.04 on a VMware Virtual Machine. This environment is now ready for Linux administration, lab practice, and testing.
