This is step by step guide to install Virtual box, CentOS to create a test environment on Windows 10.

 

Install VirtualBox

• Log on to https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads and downloads Virtual box platform package for Windows hosts.
• Follow Standard procedure install. I recommend selecting USB Support & VirtualBox Networking to install.

You will get the notification on Windows to allow changes.

• Virtual box is now installed.

Install CentOS in Virtualbox

There are CentOS Virtualbox packages available to download and execute. Generally, these packages contain the previous version of CentOS. I prefer to install latest CentOS.

• Navigate CentOS from https://www.centos.org/download/ > Everything. Click on mirror list, download the file best to your geographical location.
• On Virtualbox UI, click on New

• Set the Memory size to 2+ GB, depending on your system specification and the purpose of the VM. You can adjust allocation subsequently.
• Select “Create a Virtual hard disk now” option
• Select VDI format
  • VDI is the native format of VirtualBox.
  • VMDK is developed by and for VMWare, but Sun xVM, QEMU, VirtualBox, SUSE Studio, and .NET DiscUtils also support it.
  • VHD is the native format of Microsoft Virtual PC and popular with Microsoft products.
• Select Dynamically allocated
• Select the file location and Size, click on Create

• CentOS VM is created.
• Click on Settings on VirtualBox UI>Storage>Select Controller:IDE>CD icon with plus>Choose Disk
• Browse CentOS iso file.

• Storage looks like the snapshot below. Remove empty disk. Press OK.

 

Install and Start-up VM in virtual box

• Press Green Arrow for Normal start.

• Using Keyboard Select Install CentOS 7
• Select Language and press Continue
• Ensure Local Media is selected under Installation Source, Automatic Partitioning Selected under Installation Destination, Enable Network & Host Name.

• Customised CentOS if required.
• Ensure to select right options if GUI is needed to install

• Press Begin Installation
• Set Root & Create User during the installation process. Note that you need to press done twice to accept insecure passwords.
• After installation is complete, press Reboot.

• After re-booting accept license agreement and press Finish configuration.
• Logged in as the ‘User’ created.
• You will be prompt with Gnome initial setup, complete with relevant information.
• CentOS on Virtual Box is now successfully setup.

 

Software Versions

VirtualBox : 5.2.8
CentOS : 7.4.1708
Operating System: Windows 10 1709