As technology is improving, the workload is also increasing. So, often we find a need for multiple operating systems in one host. For example, if you want to install more than one operating system on your Windows 11, you can use the built-in virtualization platform to create virtual machines.
Hyper-V is the default virtualization solution for Windows 11. Using it, you can create multiple virtual machines and install operating systems like Ubuntu and more. Here is a complete guide on; how to install Ubuntu LTS on Hyper-V.
What is a Virtual Machine?
A virtual machine is like another computer or laptop that runs inside the operating system. Here, you take a part of physical resources like RAM, hard drive space, and CPU to create one separate system. Since you are creating a partition within Windows; it is called a virtual machine.
On the virtual machine, you can run any operating system. You can run Windows 11, Linux, or an older version of Windows. Moreover, you can also try a new OS, and install and test apps without affecting your files. Also, without affecting the Windows 11 installation.
To create a virtual machine, you do not need to use any third-party tool like VirtualBox and VMWare. Windows 11 comes with a built-in virtualization platform known as Hyper-V.
However, before utilizing it, check your computer fulfills the following requirements.
- Windows Home does not support Hyper-v. You need to have Windows Pro, Enterprise, and education versions.
- It requires a 64-bit processor having Second Level Address Translation.
- Your PC should have 8 GB of installed RAM.
How to Enable Hyper-V on Windows 11
Hyper-V is not active by default. You have to enable it. But before that, check if virtualization is enabled; on your computer BIOS or not.
To enable Hyper-V, type Turn Windows Features on or off in the search box and open it. It will open the Control Panel dialogue box. Scroll down and enable; all the checkboxes under Hyper-V and click the OK button.
To apply this feature, you have to restart your Windows PC. For that, click on the Restart Now button. Now you are ready to use Hyper-V to create a virtual machine in Windows 11.
We also have a detailed guide on; how to enable Hyper-V on Windows 11. If you want, you can check the guide.
How to Download Ubuntu ISO File
Before we create a virtual machine on Hyper-V, download the Ubuntu ISO file. For that, go to Ubuntu.com, select Download, and then download Ubuntu for Desktop. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is the most recent version at the time of writing. Now, click Download to download the Ubuntu ISO file.
Here are the recommended system requirements to install Ubuntu to your system:
- 2 GHz dual-core processor
- 4 GB system memory
- 25 GB of free hard drive space
- Either a DVD drive or a USB port for the installer media
- Internet access is helpful
How to Create a New Virtual Machine on Windows 11
Hyper-V is the default virtualization solution for the Windows operating system. Here are the steps to create a new virtual machine on Hyper-V:
1. To use Hyper-V, you can search for Hyper-V Manager on the search option and open it.
2. To create a virtual machine, right-click on the PC name and select New from the context menu.
3. After that, click on Virtual Machine to open the setup wizard.
4. It will open the new virtual machine wizard. Here, click on Next to configure the virtual machine.
5. Here, name your virtual machine. Let’s name it; Ubuntu Linux. Now select the location; where you want to save all the virtual machine files by clicking on the Browse button.
6. Then click on Next to continue.
7. Choose the generation for the virtual machine. Select Generation 2, as it supports both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems and supports newer virtualization features. It also has UEFI-based firmware.
8. Then click on Next to continue.
9. Here specify the amount of memory you want to allocate to the virtual machine, check the Use Dynamic memory for this virtual machine option, and click on Next.
Note
To run Ubuntu on Hyper-V 4GB RAM is recommended. So, allocate at least 4GB of RAM.
10. Here you have to configure the network adapter. For that, select Default Switch from the drop-down menu and click on Next to continue.
11. Now choose to create a virtual hard disk and allocate at least 100GB for storage so that you can install an operating system.
12. Then click on Next to continue.
13. Now on the installation options, select the Install and operating system from a bootable image file and browse the ISO file. After that, click on Next.
14. Review the changes and then click on Finish.
How to Install Ubuntu on Hyper-V
Once you have created a new virtual machine on Windows 11, you can follow these steps to install Ubuntu on Hyper-V.
1. Open the Hyper-V manager and select the virtual machine name.
2. Right-click on it and select Settings from the context menu.
3. It will open the Virtual machine hardware settings window. To install Ubuntu on Hyper-V, you have to disable the secure boot option and click on Apply to save the changes.
4. After that, select the virtual machine name and click on the Connect option.
5. Click on the Start button to start the virtual machine.
6. You will get the GUN GRUB window. Here select Try or Install Ubuntu and hit the Enter key.
7. After that, you’ll get an option to install Ubuntu. Click on Install Ubuntu, and select Keyboard Layout and Language.
8. Now, select Normal installation, download updates while installing Ubuntu, and install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware, as well as additional media formats. After that, click on Continue.
9. You have to select the installation type. Here, select Erase disk and install Ubuntu. You will find a warning; don’t worry, this will not erase any data from your computer because we are installing Ubuntu on a virtual machine.
10. Click on the Install Now button and continue with the installation process.
11. Select your time zone, create your username and password, and click on the Continue button.
12. After that, the installation process will start. It will take approximately 30 minutes to install the Ubuntu operating system on Hyper-V. After the installation is complete, click on the Restart Now button.
13. Now, on the reboot window, hit the [Enter] key.
Conclusion
That’s it; this is how you can install Ubuntu on Hyper-V in Windows 11. However, a program that relies on specific hardware may not work in the virtual machine. For instance, games and applications; that depend on GPU may not work. Besides that, the tool is easy to use. Moreover, It comes with features that are missing from other third-party tools.
I hope this article was helpful to you. If you have some suggestions or doubts, do not hesitate to leave them in the comments section below. Or, for more help follow the Microsoft support page and document.
