How to Copy Ubuntu to Another Virtual Machine (vBox)

If you’re like me, you love Ubuntu and want to use it on all your virtual machines. But what if you don’t want to install it from scratch every time? In this post we have explained, how to Copy Ubuntu to Another Virtual Machine in details. Catch us after the jump!

Introduction on How to Copy Ubuntu to Another Virtual Machine:

Any physical machine can be converted into a VirtualBox machine. This process is also known as P2V. To convert an existing physical machine into a VirtualBox virtual machine, you first need to install Oracle VM VirtualBox on the physical machine. After that, you can use one of the following methods to convert the physical machine into a virtual machine.

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a Debian-based Linux operating system distribution for personal computers, tablets and smartphones, whereas the Ubuntu Touch edition is used for tablets and smartphones.

It is designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers, but the original goal of the Ubuntu Touch project was to make it possible to run the same user interface on desktops, laptops, netbooks, televisions and phones

What is a Virtual Machine?

A virtual machine is a computer file that functions like a real computer. These files are generally referred to as images.

In other words, creating a virtual machine involves installing an operating system and applications into a file that can be run like a complete computer.

A virtual machine can be run on top of almost any host operating system, including Linux, Windows, and macOS. The host operating system and the virtual machine each have their applications and files; they can communicate with each other if necessary. For example, you could install Windows onto a virtual machine and then run Microsoft Word or Excel.

What is VirtualBox?

VirtualBox is a freely available and open-source virtualization software program that allows users to run multiple guest operating systems (OS) on a single host computer.

It provides a complete virtualization solution for both desktop and server environments. In other words, it enables you to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical machine.

Why Would You Want to Copy Ubuntu to Another Virtual Machine?

If you’ve ever wanted to try out a different Linux distribution or test something out on a clean slate, you know it can be a pain to set up a whole new virtual machine.

If you want to try something new but don’t want to start from scratch, you can copy your Ubuntu installation to another virtual machine.

This can be useful for a few reasons. Maybe you want to try out a different desktop environment or window manager on your existing Ubuntu installation.

Or maybe you want to upgrade to a new version of Ubuntu but don’t want to lose your current settings and configuration. Whatever the reason, copying an existing Ubuntu installation is relatively easy.

How to Copy Ubuntu to Another Virtual Machine (vBox):

To clone an existing Ubuntu installation to another computer. The process is simple and only requires a few steps: –

  • Shut down the Ubuntu VM that you want to copy.
  • Go to the VirtualBox Manager and click on ‘Clone’.
How to Copy Ubuntu to Another Virtual Machine (vBox)
  • Pick a name for the new VM and select ‘Full clone’.
How to Copy Ubuntu to Another Virtual Machine (vBox)
  • Start the new VM, and you should have an exact copy of your old Ubuntu VM.
    Conclusion
  • That’s it! You should now have a perfect copy of your Ubuntu installation on your new virtual machine.

Further Reading: –

  • There are several ways to copy your Ubuntu VM to another VM. The best way will depend on your setup and needs.
  • If you need to move the VM to another computer, you can use the features of VirtualBox to do this.
  • If you need to make an exact copy of the VM, you can use a tool like Clonezilla.
  • If you need to move the VM to another virtualization platform, you can use a tool like ovftool.

Conclusion:

Moving already created VM saves time and effort of recreating same machine, we have explained here how to Copy Ubuntu to Another Virtual Machine in no time. Do let us know your thoughts on this in comment section below.

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