Step-by-Step Instructions for Setting Up Windows 10 ISO in VirtualBox

Ever wanted how to ger into Windows 10 without leaving your current operating system?

I was in the same boat not too long ago. Setting up a virtual machine sounded daunting, but guess what?

It’s a thrilling tech adventure that you can tackle with ease!

Let me guide you through the process of setting up Windows 10 ISO in VirtualBox, and together we’ll explore this exciting digital frontier.

What You’ll Need

Visit the VirtualBox Website: Head over to the VirtualBox official site and navigate to the Downloads section.
Choose Your Host Operating System: Select the version that matches your current OS—Windows, macOS, Linux, or Solaris.
Install VirtualBox: Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. It’s as simple as installing any other application. I remember feeling a bit like a tech wizard watching the progress bar fill up!

Go to the Microsoft Website: Visit the Microsoft Windows 10 download page.
Download the ISO: Choose the edition of Windows 10 you prefer and click on “Confirm.” Select your language, confirm again, and then choose the 64-bit or 32-bit download based on your needs. Quick Tip: Most modern systems support 64-bit. Unless you have a specific reason, go with that.
Save the ISO File: It’s a hefty download, so it might take a while. Grab a coffee or stretch your legs while you wait. I used the time to tidy up my desk—multitasking for the win!

Launch VirtualBox: Open up VirtualBox. The sleek interface always gets me excited for the possibilities ahead.
Click on “New”: This button is like opening the door to a new world.
Name Your Virtual Machine: Give it a name—something like “Windows 10 VM” works. Choose “Microsoft Windows” as the type and “Windows 10” as the version.
Allocate Memory (RAM): VirtualBox will suggest a memory size. I usually allocate at least 2048 MB (2 GB), but if you have more RAM to spare, feel free to allocate more for better performance.
Create a Virtual Hard Disk: Select “Create a virtual hard disk now” and click “Create.”
Choose Hard Disk File Type: Go with “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” unless you have a specific reason to choose otherwise.
Storage on Physical Hard Disk: Select “Dynamically allocated.” This means the virtual hard disk will grow in size as needed, saving space on your actual hard drive.
Set Disk Size: Allocate at least 32 GB to ensure Windows 10 has enough space. I usually go for 50 GB to be safe.
Finish Up: Click “Create,” and voilà! Your virtual machine is set up.

Motherboard Tab: Ensure “Floppy” is unchecked in the boot order. You can leave “Optical” and “Hard Disk” checked.
Processor Tab: Allocate more CPU cores if you can. I usually assign at least two for smoother performance.

Configure Display: In the “Display” section, increase the Video Memory to 128 MB. This helps with graphical performance.
Attach the Windows 10 ISO:

Go to the “Storage” section.
Under “Storage Devices,” click on the empty CD icon labeled “Empty.”
On the right, click the CD icon next to “Optical Drive” and select “Choose a disk file.”
Navigate to where you saved the Windows 10 ISO and select it.

Start the Virtual Machine: Select your VM and click “Start.” The VM will boot up using the Windows 10 ISO.
Begin Windows Installation: You’ll see the Windows logo, and the installation process will begin. This part made me feel like I was setting up a brand-new computer!
Choose Language and Preferences: Select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard input method. Click “Next,” then “Install now.”
Enter Product Key: If you have a Windows 10 product key, enter it here. If not, click “I don’t have a product key.” You can proceed without one, but some features may be limited.
Select Windows Edition: Choose the edition you want to install—Home or Pro—and click “Next.”
Accept License Terms: Read through (or scroll down) and accept the license terms, then click “Next.”
Choose Installation Type: Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).”
Select the Virtual Hard Drive: You’ll see the virtual hard drive you created earlier. Select it and click “Next.”
Let Windows Install: The installation will proceed. This is another good time to take a short break. I took the opportunity to refill my coffee.

Configure Windows Settings: Once installation is complete, Windows will restart, and you’ll be guided through setup.

Region and Keyboard Layout: Confirm your region and preferred keyboard layout.
Connect to a Network: If prompted, you can set this up now or choose to do it later.

Set Up Account: You can sign in with a Microsoft account or create an offline account. I usually go with an offline account for virtual machines.
Customize Settings: Choose your privacy settings and other preferences. Feel free to disable features you’re not comfortable with.
Finish Setup: Windows will take a few moments to finalize everything. You’ll soon see the Windows 10 desktop!

To enhance your virtual machine’s performance and usability, you’ll want to install Guest Additions.

Go through the prompts, accepting the default options. You’ll need to reboot the VM after installation.

Guest Additions will enable features like:

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up Windows 10 in VirtualBox. Now you can:

I remember the first time I reached this point—I felt like I’d unlocked a new level of tech-savvy!

Performance Issues: Allocate more RAM or CPU cores in the VM settings.
Network Problems: Check that your VM’s network adapter is set to “NAT” or “Bridged Adapter.”
ISO File Issues: Ensure your Windows 10 ISO is not corrupted. Re-download if necessary.
Boot Issues: If Windows 10 won’t boot and displays a black screen, ensure the display settings in the VM are correctly configured or try resetting the VM.