How to Install VirtualBox on Ubuntu 20.04

VirtualBox is an open source cross-platform virtualization software which allows you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously. We will install Virtualbox through Oracle repositories. In this tutorial we are going to show you how to install VirtualBox on Ubuntu 20.04 system.

Prerequisites#

Before you go ahead with tutorial, Make sure that you are logged in as a non-root user with sudo privileges.

Install VirtualBox from Oracle Repositories#

At the time of writing this article, the latest version of VirtualBox is 6.1.0. Check the latest version of VirtualBox at VirtualBox Download page and then go ahead.

Start importing GPG keys of the Oracle VirtualBox repository to your system using wget commands:

wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -

wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -

On successfully importing both commands will show OK as output.

Next, add the VirtualBox repository using the add-apt-repository command as shown below:

sudo apt install software-properties-common

sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -cs) contrib"

$(lsb_release -cs) will print the Ubuntu codename. For example, if you have Ubuntu version 20.04 the command will print focal.

Once the repository is enabled, you have to update the apt package list by typing:

sudo apt update

At last, install VirtualBox using below command:

sudo apt install virtualbox-6.1

That’s it. VirtualBox is installed on your system now and you can start it.

Installing VirtualBox Extension Pack#

VirtualBox Extension Pack should install to get several useful features for guest machines. It will provides features such as virtual USB 2.0 and 3.0 devices, images encryption and support for RDP etc. Run the below command to download extension:

wget https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/6.1.0/Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-6.1.0.vbox-extpack

Once the download complete, import the extension pack using the following command:

sudo VBoxManage extpack install Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-6.1.0.vbox-extpack

It will show you Oracle license and ask to accept their terms and conditions.

Do you agree to these license terms and conditions (y/n)?

Press y to continue, Once the installation is completed you will see the following output:

0%...10%...20%...30%...40%...50%...60%...70%...80%...90%...100%
Successfully installed "Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack".

Starting VirtualBox#

At this stage VirtualBox is installed on your Ubuntu 20.04 system and ready to use. You can launch using terminal by typing virtualbox or you can by clicking on VirtualBox icon from (Activities -> Oracle VM VirtualBox).

You will show window as following on start up of VirtualBox.

Conclusion#

You learned how to install VirtualBox on Ubuntu 20.04 system. You also can install your favorite another operating system on guest machine.

If you would like to get more details about VirtualBox visit the official VirtualBox documentation page.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions.