VirtualBox is a virtual machine with the ability to run operating systems other than the one installed on the computer. This is usually required to test the OS, obtain information about the systems and their features. By installing any OS on VirtualBox, you can perform tasks that are not feasible on the main OS. Windows XP can be installed on VirtualBox, as well as another OS: Linux, Ubuntu, Mac OS X and even Android.

VirtualBox is not a very complicated program. If you strictly follow the instructions, then you will succeed

The guest system, delivered via VirtualBox within the framework of the existing one, will help to accomplish, for example, the following tasks:

• run software products that are incompatible with the main OS;
• use old applications;
• run old games that do not function in new versions of the operating system;
• test applications potentially dangerous.

Install VirtualBox

To create a virtual machine, download VirtualBox from the official site. Installing the program is no different from installing any other. If the system suddenly warns you that the software has not been tested with this version of the operating system, ignore it. This warning comes out several times, continue the installation.

The VirtualBox interface when installing different operating systems has small differences, but they are not so significant. The principle of creating a guest OS remains the same for both Windows versions and, for example, Ubuntu.

Having installed the program, we create the machine. To do this, follow the algorithm:

1. Activate the "Create" button.
2. In the window that opens, select the OS, its type and version, give your virtual machine a name. This name does not affect anything, just reflected in the title of the window.
3. Determine the available amount of RAM. To run the OS, such a default memory is sufficient. To run the OS itself, it is quite enough, but it may not be enough to activate programs. Therefore, if your hard disk allows, put at least 512 MB, and better all 1024.
4. Next you will be asked to choose a hard disk for the guest system: use the existing one or create a new one. Create a new one.
5. The next parameter that you are asked to include is the type of file that determines the format of the new disk being used. Leave the VDI.
6. In the additional attributes, you can choose a dynamic or fixed disk. Fixed works faster, but immediately takes all the allocated space on the hard drive. Dynamic captures on the hard drive space needed for the guest system, applications, will automatically expand with additions, installing programs. It is recommended to choose a fixed option for speed.
7. Specify the name of the new hard virtual disk, specify the location of the file folder, set its size - the size of the files stored on this disk. For example, for Windiws XP, according to the manufacturers, 10 GB is enough; for Linux, you can leave the allocated amount by default.
8. Complete the process by clicking on the "Create" button.

The creation process takes about 7 minutes. The computer this time do not bother, the central processor is involved. After creating the machine, adjust the settings by clicking the "Customize" tab. However, the default settings are enough to run the OS, the functioning of the guest system.

Install the operating system

Here we will explain how to install Windows XP on VirtualBox.

Place the Windows XP installation disc in the drive or check for an .iso disk image in one of the folders.

In VirtualBox, on the top tab bar, click Run.

In the window that opens, you are prompted to select the Windows XP boot disk. If you are using a disk drive, then click Continue, if the image — click on the folder icon, find the image, click on it, then click Continue.

The installation of Windows XP will start, similar to the one being downloaded to the real computer. Do not click on the buttons while formatting a virtual hard disk, copying files, rebooting.

If VirtualBox captures the mouse cursor, it is impossible to perform other actions during the installation, to return the cursor, press the right Ctrl key and simultaneously click LMB. Management will return to you.

When the system is installed, the desktop will appear, put add-ons for the guest system to make the screen resolution better, the operating system to work fully. The file will need to be downloaded, then, as suggested by the machine, be connected to a virtual drive.

Reboot after installation.

Creating shared folders

Often you need to create between the primary OS and the shared guest folder. It is done like this.

Go to the “Devices” tab in the top panel of VirtualBox, select the “Shared Folders” - “Configure” link.

In the opened window on the right, click the button to add a shared folder. They will suggest that you specify the path to the desired folder. Click on the selected folder, save.

In the guest system, open the command line, enter the net use drive letter: \\ vboxsvr \ folder name; confirm by pressing Enter.

When executed correctly in “My Computer”, a network drive is created that has access to the files in the folder of your choice, located in the guest system.

Thus, installing Windows XP, you can use it in parallel with the main operating system, using XP for programs that do not work on 8-10 versions.

Mac OS Installation

The question of how to install Mac OS X on VirtualBox is easy to solve. The process is similar to that described above. You will need an installation file. It does not fit the usual way, you can use the hacked OS.

1. Download HackBoot 1 - the installer, HackBoot 2, which launches Mountain Lion, also needs MultiBeast 4 when working with audio.
2. When you open VirtualBox, on the Type tab, click on the already created virtual machine (how to create it, described above), in the system section, specify Mac OS X 64 bit.
3. For RAM on Mac OS, simply add 2 GB.
4. Create a new VDI disk.
5. After creating a disk in the main menu, click on the virtual machine with its right-click, select "Configure". In the “System” tab, uncheck the “Enable EFI” function.
6. In the “Media” section, go to the CD icon, signed “Empty”, then click on the disk icon on the right side, go to “Select a disk image”. Here choose HackBoot 1.
7. Click OK. With a Mountain Lion image, we’ll start downloading Mac OS.
8. In VirtualBox, select the downloaded Mac OS X, click "Run."
9. On the HackBoot screen that appears below, find the CD icon, select the downloaded Lion image.
10. Return to the download screen, update, select the OS X Install DVD item that appears.
11. Choose your language, agree to the terms of use. Your OS starts looking for a hard drive. Go to "Utilities" - "Disk Utility".

Format the disk and exit the utility, continue to install the system.

Further installation takes place as a normal Mac OS installation, takes about 25 minutes. Upon completion, a window will appear indicating the successful installation.

Installing Linux and Ubuntu

If you have already worked with virtual machines, then the problem of how to install Linux on VirtualBox will not be difficult for you.

Creating a virtual machine, when choosing an operating system in the menu, click "Linux". In the line "Version" we put the version of your choice, for example, Linux 2.6. Click "Next", and then follow the steps described above in the sections on installing other operating systems.

We act the same way if you decide how to install Ubuntu on VirtualBox, in the “Version” section we find “Ubuntu”, select it and install it.

Install Android on VirtualBox

Why and how to install Android on VirtualBox - we answer the questions in this section.

What for? To test the program. Do not clutter up your phone or tablet with unnecessary software, if you are not sure about its operation and functionality. You can first check everything on your PC by creating a virtual machine. Installing / uninstalling programs on a PC will not affect performance, unlike smartphones with a small memory.

To install Android, download the package on the VirtualBox website. When creating a virtual machine, it is enough to allocate 512 MB of RAM. Mount the image with Android and run the installation. It is recommended to choose the installation on the hard disk, then you can fully install the program, save them after the reboot. Here you need to do this:

1. When prompted to create / modify a disk, press OK - Enter.
2. Choose Primary, press Enter several times, until a new disk is created.
3. Make it bootable by clicking
4. Then press Write and after creating the disc, quit Quit utility.
5. The installation window has opened, select the disk, the file system - FAT 32 (otherwise applications will not be installed).
6. After the procedure, you will get Android on a virtual machine. Please note that the "Back" button replaces the RMB. In the settings, set the Russian language and your account in com.

Please note that when you install Android on a virtual machine, the Internet connects automatically, but in version 4 of Android there is no connection.

VirtualBox helps to test various operating systems, and installing them will not take you much time. Carefully follow the instructions, step by step follow the steps of the algorithms, and you can run any OS: Windows XP, Linux, Ubuntu, Mac OS X and Android on the virtual machine.