How to Install Windows 10 in VirtualBox
Virtual machines are a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as running legacy software, testing different operating systems, and software development.
If you're looking to install Windows 10 on your PC without the need to dual-boot or purchase a separate Windows computer, you've come to the right place.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of setting up and installing Windows 10 in VirtualBox.
First off all, we begin the installation process, let's make sure your system meets the minimum requirements to run Windows 10:
Display: 800×600 resolution
Processor: 1 GHz (Dual Core recommended)
RAM: 1 GB for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit (4 GB recommended)
Storage: 16 GB for 32-bit or 32 GB for 64-bit (50 GB recommended)
How to Download Windows 10 ISO File
To get started, you'll need to download the official version of Windows 10 from the Microsoft website.
Here's how you can do that:
- Open any browser of your choice and visit the Microsoft Software Download page.
- Scroll down and click the “Download tool now” button to download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool.
- Open the Media Creation Tool and accept the Microsoft Software Terms & Conditions.
- Select the “Create installation media” option and click “Next“.
- Uncheck the “Use the recommended options for this PC” option and choose the language, edition, and architecture that you prefer. Then, click “Next“.
- Choose the “ISO file” option and select a path where you want to save the Windows 10 ISO file. Click “Save“.
How to Download Windows 10 ISO File - Wait for the download to complete. This may take some time depending on your internet speed.
- Once the download is finished, click the “Finish” button.
How to Setup Windows 10 in VirtualBox
Now that you have downloaded the Windows 10 ISO file, it's time to install and set up VirtualBox on your PC or laptop. Here's how you can do that:
- Open the VirtualBox app on your computer (if you haven't installed it, you can download it from the Oracle website.
How to Setup Windows 10 in VirtualBox - Click on the “New” icon and choose a descriptive name and installation folder for the new virtual machine.
- In the VirtualBox Manager, select the newly created virtual machine and click on “Settings“.
- In the settings menu, go to the “Storage” tab. Under “Controller: IDE“, click on the empty CD/DVD icon and select “Choose/Create a Disk Image“.
- Locate and select the Windows 10 ISO file that you downloaded earlier.
- Go to the “System” tab and allocate the desired amount of RAM and processor cores to the virtual machine.
- Go to the “Display” tab and adjust the video memory and enable 3D acceleration if desired.
- Click “OK” to save the settings.
- Start the virtual machine by selecting it in the VirtualBox Manager and clicking the “Start” button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10 on the virtual machine.
How to Make Windows 10 Full Screen on VirtualBox
After you have finished setting up Windows 10 in VirtualBox, you may notice that the screen resolution remains unchanged even when switching to full-screen mode. To fix this issue, follow these steps:
- Open the File Explorer on your Windows 10 virtual machine and navigate to “This PC” section. Then, go to “VirtualBox Guest Additions“.
- If you couldn't find it, click on the “Devices” tab in VirtualBox and select the “Insert Guest Additions CD image” option.
- Run the “VBoxWindowsAdditions” file to install VirtualBox Guest Additions in your Windows 10.
How to Make Windows 10 Full Screen on VirtualBox - Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your virtual machine.
- After signing in to Windows, the screen resolution will automatically adjust according to the size of the window.
Limitations of Running Windows 10 in VirtualBox
While VirtualBox provides a convenient way to run Windows 10 on your computer, there are some limitations to keep in mind:
Running Windows 10 virtually may impact your computer's performance, especially when running resource-intensive applications.
Some drivers may not be available or supported in VirtualBox, limiting certain features within the guest OS.
File sharing between the host and virtual machine can be difficult to set up and may not be reliable.
Installing Windows 10 in VirtualBox allows you to utilize the operating system without the need for dual-booting or purchasing a separate Windows computer. It provides a convenient way to test software, run legacy applications, and more.
Just make sure your system meets the minimum requirements and follow the steps outlined in this guide to get started.


Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
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