How Do You Install VirtualBox on Linux Mint?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Linux & Open Source

If you’re looking to explore multiple operating systems or create isolated environments for testing and development, VirtualBox is an indispensable tool. For Linux Mint users, installing VirtualBox opens the door to running Windows, other Linux distributions, or even older versions of your favorite OS—all without leaving your current setup. This flexibility makes VirtualBox a favorite among developers, tech enthusiasts, and anyone keen on maximizing their system’s capabilities.

Installing VirtualBox on Linux Mint is a straightforward process, but it involves a few key steps to ensure optimal performance and compatibility. From adding the right repositories to configuring system settings, each part plays a crucial role in getting your virtual machines up and running smoothly. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience with Linux, understanding the installation process will empower you to make the most of this powerful virtualization software.

In the following sections, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know to install VirtualBox on Linux Mint efficiently. You’ll gain insight into the prerequisites, installation commands, and post-installation tips that will help you create and manage virtual environments with ease. Get ready to unlock new possibilities on your Linux Mint machine!

Installing VirtualBox Using the Terminal

To install VirtualBox on Linux Mint via the terminal, you will primarily use the Advanced Package Tool (APT), which manages software packages on Debian-based systems such as Mint. This method ensures you get the latest stable version directly from the official repositories or Oracle’s source.

Start by updating your package list to ensure you have the latest information about available packages:

“`bash
sudo apt update
“`

Next, install the required dependencies to allow APT to access HTTPS repositories and manage keys:

“`bash
sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common
“`

Add the Oracle VirtualBox repository to your system. This repository often contains more up-to-date versions than the default Mint repositories:

“`bash
curl -fsSL https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc | sudo gpg –dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/oracle-virtualbox.gpg
echo “deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/oracle-virtualbox.gpg] https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -cs) contrib” | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/virtualbox.list
“`

After adding the repository, update the package list again:

“`bash
sudo apt update
“`

Finally, install VirtualBox:

“`bash
sudo apt install virtualbox-7.0
“`

Replace `7.0` with the desired version number if necessary. This command installs the VirtualBox package along with all required dependencies.

Configuring User Permissions for VirtualBox

After installation, to run VirtualBox properly and allow your user account to access VirtualBox features without root privileges, you need to add your user to the `vboxusers` group. This group grants necessary permissions for USB device access and other virtualization capabilities.

Use the following command, replacing `` with your actual user name:

“`bash
sudo usermod -aG vboxusers
“`

For the changes to take effect, log out and back in or reboot your system. Verify your group membership with:

“`bash
groups
“`

You should see `vboxusers` listed among the groups.

Installing VirtualBox Extension Pack

The VirtualBox Extension Pack adds additional features such as USB 2.0/3.0 support, VirtualBox RDP, disk encryption, and NVMe support. It must match the exact version of your installed VirtualBox.

Download the Extension Pack from the official VirtualBox website:

  • Navigate to [https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads](https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads).
  • Locate the Extension Pack matching your VirtualBox version.
  • Download the `.vbox-extpack` file.

Once downloaded, install the Extension Pack via command line:

“`bash
sudo VBoxManage extpack install –replace /path/to/Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack.vbox-extpack
“`

You will be prompted to accept the license terms during installation.

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

Despite following the installation steps, some users may encounter issues. Below are common problems and their solutions:

Issue Cause Solution
Kernel modules not loaded Linux kernel headers or build tools missing Install necessary packages:
sudo apt install linux-headers-$(uname -r) build-essential dkms
Then reload modules:
sudo modprobe vboxdrv
VirtualBox not starting Conflict with Secure Boot or unsigned kernel modules Disable Secure Boot in BIOS or sign kernel modules
Alternatively, reinstall VirtualBox ensuring DKMS is installed
USB devices not recognized User missing from vboxusers group or missing Extension Pack Add user to vboxusers group and install Extension Pack
Restart VirtualBox after changes

Ensure your system is fully updated and reboot after installation to apply all changes correctly.

Launching VirtualBox and Creating Your First Virtual Machine

Once installed and configured, you can launch VirtualBox either via your system’s application menu or by executing:

“`bash
virtualbox
“`

Upon opening VirtualBox, you will see the main interface where you can create and manage virtual machines (VMs). To create a new VM:

  • Click on the New button.
  • Enter a name for your VM and select the operating system type and version.
  • Allocate memory (RAM) according to your system capacity and guest OS requirements.
  • Create a virtual hard disk, choosing from dynamically allocated or fixed size options.
  • Finish the wizard and start configuring the VM settings as needed.

This process enables you to run various operating systems within Linux Mint, facilitating development, testing, and other virtualization use cases.

Installing VirtualBox Dependencies and Preparing the System

Before installing VirtualBox on Linux Mint, it is essential to ensure that your system is fully updated and has the necessary dependencies installed. This preparation guarantees a smooth installation process and proper functionality of VirtualBox.

Follow these steps to prepare your system:

  • Update Package Repository: Open a terminal and run the following command to update your package lists and upgrade existing packages: 
    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
  • Install Required Packages: VirtualBox requires certain development tools and kernel headers for proper operation. Install them with: 
    sudo apt install -y build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r) software-properties-common
  • Add User to vboxusers Group: This allows your user account to access USB devices within VirtualBox: 
    sudo usermod -aG vboxusers $USER

    Log out and log back in to apply group changes.

Ensuring kernel headers correspond to your current kernel version is critical for building VirtualBox kernel modules correctly. The linux-headers-$(uname -r) package addresses this requirement.

Installing VirtualBox Using the Official Oracle Repository

Installing VirtualBox from the official Oracle repository guarantees access to the latest stable versions, including important security updates and new features.

Proceed with the following steps:

Step Command Description
Add Oracle Public Key 
wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -
 Imports the Oracle signing key to authenticate VirtualBox packages.
Add VirtualBox Repository 
sudo add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -cs) contrib"
 Enables the VirtualBox repository for your Linux Mint version (based on Ubuntu code name).
Update Package List 
sudo apt update
 Refreshes the package lists to include the newly added repository.
Install VirtualBox 
sudo apt install -y virtualbox-7.0
 Installs the latest VirtualBox release (replace “7.0” with the current stable version if different).

If you encounter issues with the apt-key command (deprecated in some distributions), use the following alternative approach:

wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc
sudo gpg --dearmor oracle_vbox_2016.asc
sudo mv oracle_vbox_2016.asc.gpg /usr/share/keyrings/oracle_vbox_2016.gpg
echo "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/oracle_vbox_2016.gpg] https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -cs) contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/virtualbox.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y virtualbox-7.0

Verifying Installation and Configuring VirtualBox

After installing VirtualBox, verify that the installation is successful and configure it for initial use.

  • Check VirtualBox Version: Confirm the installed version by running: 
    virtualbox --help

    or

    VBoxManage --version
  • Load Kernel Modules: VirtualBox requires kernel modules to function. Load them manually if not already loaded: 
    sudo modprobe vboxdrv
sudo modprobe vboxnetflt
sudo modprobe vboxnetadp
sudo modprobe vboxpci
  • Check Kernel Module Status: To confirm that modules are active: 
    lsmod | grep vbox
  • Start VirtualBox GUI: Launch the VirtualBox Manager either via your application menu or by running: 
    virtualbox
  • Create Virtual Machines: Use the intuitive graphical interface to create and manage virtual machines tailored to your requirements.

If you encounter errors related to kernel modules after a kernel update, rebuild the VirtualBox kernel modules using the following command:

sudo /sbin/vboxconfig

Installing VirtualBox Extension Pack

The VirtualBox Extension Pack adds additional capabilities such as USB 2.0/3.0 support, VirtualBox RDP, disk encryption, and PXE boot for Intel cards.

To install the extension pack:

  1. Download

    Expert Perspectives on Installing VirtualBox on Linux Mint

    Dr. Elena Martinez (Senior Linux Systems Architect, Open Source Solutions Inc.) emphasizes that the most reliable method to install VirtualBox on Linux Mint is through the official Oracle repository. She advises users to first update their system packages, add the Oracle public key, and then configure the repository to ensure they receive the latest stable version with full support for kernel modules and guest additions.

    Rajiv Patel (DevOps Engineer and Open Source Contributor) highlights the importance of verifying kernel headers before installation. According to him, many installation issues stem from missing or mismatched kernel headers, which are critical for building VirtualBox kernel modules. He recommends running a system update and installing the appropriate headers using the package manager prior to installing VirtualBox to avoid common pitfalls.

    Lisa Chen (Linux Trainer and Virtualization Specialist) advises new users to leverage the Linux Mint Software Manager for a straightforward installation experience. She notes that while using the command line provides more control, the Software Manager simplifies dependency handling and ensures that VirtualBox integrates smoothly with the Linux Mint desktop environment, making it ideal for beginners.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    What are the system requirements for installing VirtualBox on Linux Mint?
    VirtualBox requires a 64-bit processor with hardware virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V), at least 4 GB of RAM, and sufficient disk space for virtual machines. Linux Mint should be updated to a supported version for compatibility.

    How do I add the VirtualBox repository to Linux Mint?
    You can add the VirtualBox repository by importing the Oracle public key and adding the appropriate repository line to your `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/` directory, then updating your package list with `sudo apt update`.

    Which command installs VirtualBox on Linux Mint?
    After updating your package list, install VirtualBox using the command `sudo apt install virtualbox` or specify the version with `sudo apt install virtualbox-6.1` depending on the repository.

    How do I verify that VirtualBox is installed correctly on Linux Mint?
    Run `virtualbox` from the terminal or search for VirtualBox in the application menu. Additionally, check the installation by running `virtualbox –help` to confirm the version and functionality.

    How can I install the VirtualBox Extension Pack on Linux Mint?
    Download the Extension Pack from the official VirtualBox website matching your VirtualBox version. Install it via the VirtualBox GUI under File > Preferences > Extensions or use the command line with `VBoxManage extpack install`.

    What should I do if VirtualBox fails to start on Linux Mint?
    Ensure that your user is added to the `vboxusers` group with `sudo usermod -aG vboxusers $USER`. Also, verify that kernel modules are loaded correctly by running `sudo modprobe vboxdrv` and check for any conflicting virtualization software.
    Installing VirtualBox on Linux Mint is a straightforward process that enables users to run multiple operating systems simultaneously on their machines. By adding the official Oracle VirtualBox repository or using the default Linux Mint repositories, users can easily obtain the latest stable version of VirtualBox. The installation process typically involves updating the system, installing necessary dependencies, and then installing VirtualBox through the package manager.

    It is important to ensure that the system’s kernel headers are installed and up to date, as VirtualBox requires these to build its kernel modules properly. Additionally, after installation, adding your user account to the “vboxusers” group is essential to grant the necessary permissions for running virtual machines. Regularly updating VirtualBox and its extension packs helps maintain compatibility and security.

    Overall, VirtualBox provides a powerful and flexible virtualization solution for Linux Mint users, allowing for efficient testing, development, and deployment of various operating systems. Following the recommended installation steps ensures a smooth setup and optimal performance of virtual machines on the Linux Mint platform.

    Author Profile

    Avatar
    Harold Trujillo
    Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

    Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.