Hello everyone, running virtual machines on Ubuntu 24.04 is a snap with VirtualBox. Hope you’re having a great week.
I’ve been busy with the 2024-2025 NBA season. Go Lakers! Now with Luka the Don, they should win the title soon! Any basketball fans out there?
Whether you’re testing Windows, macOS, or other Linux distros, this free, open-source tool from Oracle offers a powerful way to virtualize on your Ubuntu desktop.
In this 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through installing, upgrading, and uninstalling VirtualBox on Ubuntu 24.04, plus its standout features. Let’s get started.
How to install VirtualBox on Ubuntu 24.04
You can install VirtualBox on Ubuntu 24.04 using a GUI or the official DEB repository via the terminal, each offering a quick way to virtualize.
Method 1: Installing VirtualBox via GUI
Love a point-and-click setup? Here’s how to grab VirtualBox using Ubuntu’s friendly interface.
Step 1: Choose your download source:
- 🌐 VirtualBox Official Website. Download the DEB package for Ubuntu 24.04.
Step 2: Open the DEB file with Software Center and click “Install.”
Step 3: Launch VirtualBox from your applications menu.
Quick Tip: 💡 The DEB package via Software Center is the simplest for beginners.
Method 2: Installing VirtualBox with DEB Repository via Terminal
Step 1: Open your terminal with Ctrl + Alt + T.
Step 2: Add VirtualBox’s GPG key:
wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -
Step 3: Add the VirtualBox repository:
echo "deb [arch=amd64] http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian jammy contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/virtualbox.list
Step 4: Update your package list:
sudo apt update
Step 5: Install VirtualBox (latest stable, e.g., 7.0):
sudo apt install virtualbox-7.0
Step 6: Launch it from your applications menu or:
virtualbox
Quick Tip: 💡 This method syncs VirtualBox with system updates.
How to Upgrade VirtualBox on Ubuntu 24.04
Keeping VirtualBox updated ensures the latest virtualization features and fixes. Here’s how to upgrade it.
Method 1: Upgrading via GUI
Step 1: Open Ubuntu Software Center.
Step 2: Go to “Installed,” find “VirtualBox.”
Step 3: Click “Update” if available.
Step 4: Or revisit virtualbox.org, download the latest DEB, and reinstall.
Quick Tip: 💡 Software Center alerts you when updates are ready.
Method 2: Upgrading via Terminal
Step 1: Open your terminal.
Step 2: Update your system packages:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Quick Tip: 💡 Check the version in VirtualBox’s “About” menu.
What Makes VirtualBox Special
VirtualBox, developed by Oracle, is a free, open-source virtualization tool launched in 2007. It’s a top hypervisor on Ubuntu 24.04, offering robust features for running multiple OSes.
Key Features
- Versatility: Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and more.
- Security: Uses TLS certificates for secure VM access.
- Performance: Runs multiple VMs efficiently.
- Snapshots: Saves and clones VM states easily.
- Cloud Integration: Connects to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
VirtualBox Screenshots
Need Help?
VirtualBox not launching? Update your system:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
For more, visit VirtualBox Docs or leave a comment below.
How to Uninstall VirtualBox from Ubuntu 24.04
Switching tools? Here’s how to remove VirtualBox cleanly.
Method 1: Uninstalling via GUI
Step 1: Open Ubuntu Software Center.
Step 2: Find “VirtualBox” under “Installed.”
Step 3: Click “Remove” and confirm.
Quick Tip: 💡 Check “Installed” to confirm it’s DEB.
Method 2: Uninstalling via Terminal
Step 1: Open your terminal.
Step 2: Remove VirtualBox:
sudo apt remove --purge virtualbox-7.0
Step 3: Clear config files:
rm -rf ~/.config/VirtualBox
Quick Tip: 💡 Use which virtualbox to check the install source.
More Ubuntu Tools
- Best Software for Ubuntu
- Free Torrent Clients on Ubuntu
- Best Remote Software on Ubuntu
- Best Linux Distros for Programming
What’s your take on VirtualBox? Installed it yet? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments.
