Install Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) on VirtualBox

Ubuntu 25.04 “Plucky Puffin” is here, bringing new features, updated packages, and a polished GNOME desktop experience. If you want to test it out without touching your main system, running it in VirtualBox is the way to go. Here’s how to set it up quickly and cleanly.

What You’ll Need

VirtualBox (latest version recommended)
Ubuntu 25.04 ISO file – Download from Ubuntu’s official site
At least 4GB RAM (8GB+ preferred), 25GB of free disk space

Step 1: Create a New Virtual Machine

Open VirtualBox and click New.
Name it something like Ubuntu 25.04.
Choose Linux as the type and Ubuntu (64-bit) as the version.
Assign 4096 MB (4 GB) or more RAM.

Step 2: Set Up the Virtual Hard Disk

Choose Create a virtual hard disk now.
Stick with VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image).
Use Dynamically allocated storage.
Set disk size to 25 GB or more.
Click Create.

💡 Need more space later? Here’s how to enlarge a Virtual Machine’s disk in VirtualBox or VMware.

Step 3: Mount the Ubuntu ISO

Select your new VM and click Settings.
Go to Storage.
Under Controller: IDE, click the empty disk icon, then click the disk on the right and choose “Choose a disk file…”.
Select the Ubuntu 25.04 ISO you downloaded earlier.
Hit OK.

Step 4: Adjust a Few More Settings (Optional but Recommended)

System > Processor: Give it 2 or more CPUs if you can spare them.
Display > Video Memory: Set this to 128 MB.
Network > Adapter 1: Leave it on NAT for internet access.

Step 5: Start the VM and Install Ubuntu

Hit Start to boot into the ISO.
Choose “Try or Install Ubuntu”.
Select your language and keyboard layout.
Choose Install Ubuntu.
For installation type, go with Erase disk and install Ubuntu (this only affects the virtual disk).
Pick your time zone, create a username and password.
Click Install Now and let it run.

Step 6: Finish and Reboot

After installation finishes, Ubuntu will prompt you to Restart Now. Before it reboots, remove the ISO:

When prompted, press Enter to reboot.
If it says “Please remove the installation medium,” go to Devices > Optical Drives > Remove disk from virtual drive in VirtualBox, then press Enter.

You’re In

That’s it! You now have Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) running in VirtualBox. From here you can:

Test the latest GNOME interface
Explore development tools
Experiment without risk

📺 Want Ubuntu to use your full screen? Follow this guide:
How to Make Ubuntu Full Screen on VirtualBox in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Optional Tweaks

Install Guest Additions for better performance and screen resizing.
Enable shared clipboard under Settings > General > Advanced.
Use Snapshots to save states before major changes.

Got stuck or ran into issues? Drop a comment or check out the other tutorials linked above to get more out of your virtual machine setup.