Virtualbox is a program that allows you to install virtual operating systems inside a host system. In this tutorial I am going to show you how to install Virtualbox on Ubuntu 13.04 so that you can begin to test new operating systems inside Ubuntu without making permanent changes to your hard drive. In this tutorial we will be installing Virtualbox directly from the Virtualbox website rather than the Ubuntu repositories. The reason for this is the official version on the Virtualbox website included additional features like usb support.
The first step is to go to https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads and click on the right architecture beside “Ubuntu 13.04 (“Raring Ringtail”)”. If you are unsure then click on the i386 for a 32 bit installation as shown in the picture below.
On the next step save the .deb file to your computer so that it can be run later.
Once you have successfully downloaded the .deb file for installation, you should run the file which will open into the Ubuntu Software Center as shown in the photo below.
From this screen, click on the install button to start the installation. You will then be prompted to enter your user password as shown in the picture below.
The installation will then start. Once the installation is complete the Ubuntu Software Center should show that Virtualbox is Installed as shown below.
Once Virtualbox is installed you will have to add your user account to the “vboxusers” group. This is much easier than it sounds. Simply open the terminal Program from the Dash launcher. Once the terminal is open type the command listed below and filling in your username where appropriate.
sudo usermod -a -G vboxusers <user name>
After you have successfully run the command above you will be able to run Virtualbox from the dash launcher as shown below.
When you run Virtual box for the first time it will look like the screenshot shown below.
If Virtualbox runs as shown above then congratulations. If you have any questions or comments do no hesitate to leave a comment below. Also, if you found this tutorial helpful please like and share so that other people can find this tutorial more easily.