How to Run Windows Softwares and Games in Ubuntu Linux - VirtualBox

Ubuntu is much much better than windows. Its boot up time is 2 seconds, no virus attack, multiple desktops, fast and safe. But many people are still using Windows because softwares in Windows (.exe) cannot be opened in Ubuntu. Here is a good solution for that. Run any applications / softwares / games in Ubuntu. Even though there is an application called WINE to open windows softwares, it can handle only small softwares. The software which I am using here is VIRTUALBOX OSE.

WHAT IS VIRTUALBOX

VirtualBox is a cross-platform virtualization application.It is a software that creates a vitual operating system like windows and install it inside Ubuntu – A Virtual Machine. Running multiple operating systems simultaneously. Thus we can run windows softwares on linux without rebooting. By using VIRTUALBOX we can install any operating inside another operating system. For example Mac OS can be installed in windows, Linux can be installed inside windows , Windows can be installed inside Linux and such like that..

  

The following operating systems are supported by VirtaulBox

• Windows hosts:

– Windows XP, all service packs (32-bit)

– Windows Server 2003 (32-bit)

– Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit1 ).

– Windows Server 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit)

– Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit)

• Mac OS X hosts:2

– 10.5 (Leopard, 32-bit)

– 10.6 (Snow Leopard, 32-bit and 64-bit)

Intel hardware is required; please see chapter 14, Known limitations, page 181 also.

• Linux hosts (32-bit and 64-bit3 ). Among others, this includes:

– Ubuntu 6.06 (“Dapper Drake”), 6.10 (“Edgy Eft”), 7.04 (“Feisty Fawn”), 7.10 (“Gutsy

Gibbon”), 8.04 (“Hardy Heron”), 8.10 (“Intrepid Ibex”), 9.04 (“Jaunty Jackalope”),

9.10 (“Karmic Koala”), 10.04 (“Lucid Lynx”), 10.10 (“Maverick Meerkat).

– Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 (“sarge”), 4.0 (“etch”), 5.0 (“lenny”) and 6.0 (“squeeze”)

– Oracle Enterprise Linux 4 and 5

– Redhat Enterprise Linux 4, 5 and 6

– Fedora Core 4 to 14

– Gentoo Linux

So lets come back to our topic

HOW TO RUN WINDOWS SOFTWARES AND GAMES IN UBUNTU LINUX

NOTE: You will need the Windows XP CD to install

First we have to install Virtual box

1. Goto Applications => Ububtu Softaware Center
2. Search for “virtualbox ose”
3. Click Install
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Wait untill download is complte

After installation

1. Goto Applications => Accessories => VirtualBox OSE
2. Click on NEW => Next
3. Give a name and select the operating system and its version to be installed 
   (ex: Windows XP)

4. Select 'Use existing hard disk' =>Next => Finish
5. Now you will get something like this

6. Click Start button
7. Put the installation CD of Windows XP
8. Boot it and intall
9. YOUR WINDOWS XP IS READY inside Ubuntu
10. Intall the softwares / games you want and enjoy!!!!!