How to Install Latest Pop!_OS on VirtualBox

Want to try Pop!_OS without wiping your main system? VirtualBox makes it easy. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to getting the latest Pop!_OS running in a virtual machine, whether you’re testing, developing, or just curious.

What You Need

• VirtualBox (Free, cross-platform)
• Latest Pop!_OS ISO (Download here)
• At least 4GB RAM (more is better)
• 20GB+ free disk space

Step 1: Download and Install VirtualBox

1. Go to the VirtualBox download page.
2. Download the version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Install it—just follow the prompts.

Step 2: Get the Latest Pop!_OS ISO

• Head over to pop.system76.com and download the latest ISO that matches your hardware (choose Intel/AMD unless you’re sure you need NVIDIA support).

Step 3: Create a New Virtual Machine

1. Open VirtualBox and click New.
2. Name it “Pop!_OS”.
3. Set Type to “Linux” and Version to “Ubuntu (64-bit)”.
4. Assign at least 4096 MB (4GB) RAM. If you can, give it 8GB.
5. Select Create a virtual hard disk now. Go with VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image) and Dynamically allocated. Set size to 20GB or more.
   Tip: Not sure how much space you’ll need? It’s better to give yourself extra room. If you ever run out of space, check out How to Enlarge a Virtual Machine’s Disk in VirtualBox or VMware for a quick fix.
6. Finish the wizard.

Step 4: Mount the Pop!_OS ISO

1. Select your new VM and click Settings.
2. Go to Storage.
3. Under “Controller: IDE”, click the empty disc icon.
4. On the right, click the disc icon and choose Choose a disk file.
5. Find and select your downloaded Pop!_OS ISO.
6. Click OK to save.

Step 5: Tweak System Settings (Optional, but Recommended)

• System > Processor: Assign 2 or more CPUs if you can.
• Display > Video Memory: Crank this up to the max (128MB).
• Network: “Bridged Adapter” for full network access, or “NAT” for simplicity.

Step 6: Start the VM and Install Pop!_OS

1. Select your Pop!_OS VM and click Start.
2. In the installer, select your language and region.
3. Click Clean Install (it only affects the virtual disk).
4. Set up your user, password, and preferences.
5. Let the installer finish. When it’s done, reboot.

If it asks you to “Remove installation medium,” just eject the ISO from Devices > Optical Drives.

Step 7: Install Guest Additions (for Better Experience)

1. With Pop!_OS running, go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD Image in the VirtualBox menu.
2. Open the terminal inside Pop!_OS and run:
   sudo apt update
sudo apt install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
3. Run the Guest Additions installer from the CD. If it doesn’t start, run:
   sudo sh /media/$USER/VBox_GAs_*/VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
4. Reboot the VM.

That’s It! You’re Good to Go.

You now have the latest Pop!_OS running inside VirtualBox. Play around, experiment, or develop—all without risk to your main system.

Ran out of virtual disk space? Don’t panic—here’s how to enlarge your VM’s disk in VirtualBox or VMware.

Need help or have issues? Drop a comment below!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!