There are several websites where you can directly download VM files. Where can I download these types of files? OVA is a package containing the description of the VM’s configuration and its disk file (VDI, VMDK, VHD, etc.). It must be linked to a disk file (VDI, VMDK, VHD, etc.). OVF is only the description of the VM’s configuration. You will also encounter OVA and OVF files, which are generally the exported and imported VM formats: VHD is the original Microsoft format for Virtual PC. These files only contain the VM hard drive, but not its configuration. Most of the virtual hard drives are in VDI, VMDK, or VHD format. That is very useful! Recognize the Different File Formats What’s downloaded is not actually a VM, but the virtual hard drive of a VM, which already contains an operating system. The other solution involves downloading a VM from specific websites. You’ll have to download an ISO file (i.e., from the Ubuntu website), set up the file as a CD/DVD image on your virtual CD/DVD drive, and go through the entire standard installation procedure.

The drawback of the first method is that it takes time. The credentials needed for the VM are included in an orange box in Step 2.Ĭreate one on its own (without an operating system) and install the OS using an ISO file.ĭirectly download a VM along with its operating system. For the this chapter you will need a username and password.

Virtual box windows image