Windows 11 Installation in VirtualBox

Last Updated : 24 Apr, 2026

VirtualBox is a hypervisor that allows you to run multiple virtual operating systems (Windows, Linux, etc.) on a single physical machine. It provides a safe, isolated environment to test software without affecting your actual OS.

Step 1: Downloading VirtualBox

  • Download VirtualBox from here. Select your host according to your operating system.
  • For example, people having Windows Host will select Windows hosts from the link given below.
  • For further reference, the installation of VirtualBox on windows can be understood.
VirtualBox_download
Download the Virtual Box Package as per your PC Specifications

Step 2: Download Windows 11 ISO

  • Search “Microsoft Windows 11 ISO” and open the official Microsoft download page.
  • Register/login if required.
  • Select Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) → Confirm → Download.
  • The ISO file will be saved in your Downloads folder.
win11_download

Step 3: Installation of Windows 11 in VirtualBox.

  • Open VirtualBox → Click New.
  • Enter the name → Select: Type: Microsoft Windows, Version: Windows 11 (64-bit)
  • Allocate RAM (4GB–8GB recommended).
  • Choose Create a virtual hard disk now.
  • Keep VDI as the disk type.
  • Set storage space (10GB+ recommended).
  • Finish creating the virtual machine.
vdi_diskImage
Choose the file location and Disk type

Then select the virtual hard disk size. We selected here 10GB. You can select according to your CPU space available (recommended 10GB+)

Step 4: Sharing the Location of the ISO File of Windows 11.

  • Go to Settings → Storage.
  • Under “Controller”, select Empty → CD icon → Choose a disk file.
  • Browse and select the downloaded Windows 11 ISO.
  • Save settings (other settings can be left default).
empty_diskimage
Choose the windows " .iso " file where it was downloaded

Browse to the location where you have downloaded the Windows 11 ISO file and select it so that Windows 11 gets installed on VirtualBox.

Step 5: Running Windows on VirtualBox

  • Start the virtual machine.
  • Follow the Windows setup steps.
  • If asked for a product key, choose “I don’t have a product key.”
  • Create a user account and complete setup.
  • Windows 11 is now ready to use inside VirtualBox.
win11
Start up of windows 11

Troubleshoot

  • After installing and starting up the windows 11 machine, it runs into shell for some users instead of directly booting.
  • For that instance you have to write the below mention commands to start the booting process. 
#shell> FS0:
#FS0:\> EFI\BOOT\BOOTx64.efi        (*For x64 systems)
#FS0:\> EFI\BOOT\BOOTAA64.efi      (*For ARM64 systems)
Troubleshooting
Escaping from shell to boot

After typing the final command, quickly press any key to initiate the boot process.

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