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Installing Windows 11 on VirtualBox

Overview

This guide walks you through setting up a Windows 11 lab VM in VirtualBox.
By the end, you’ll have a reproducible environment with: - Secure Boot + TPM 2.0 (to meet Windows 11 requirements) - Guest Additions for clipboard, drag-drop, and display support - Shared folders for file exchange between host and guest - Snapshots for rollback at milestones

Prerequisites

  • Host machine with virtualization enabled (Intel VT-x / AMD-V in BIOS/UEFI).
  • Disk space: 80–120 GB free recommended.
  • RAM: 16 GB host recommended (8 GB min, we’ll allocate 8 GB to the VM).
  • Downloads:
  • VirtualBox 7.x
  • (Optional but recommended) VirtualBox Extension Pack
  • Windows 11 ISO (from Microsoft)
  • Optional: host folder for sharing (e.g., D:\Shared\WinLab).

Steps

1. Install VirtualBox

  1. Install VirtualBox 7.x on your host (Windows).
  2. Install the matching Extension Pack (.vbox-extpack).

2. Create a New Windows 11 VM

  1. VirtualBox → New → Name: Win11-Lab.
  2. Folder: e.g., D:\VMs\WindowsLab\
  3. Select your Windows 11 ISO, set Type/Version = Windows 11 (64-bit).
  4. Choose Manual OOBE (uncheck Unattended).

Hardware
- Memory: 8 GB (min 4 GB).
- CPUs: 2–4 vCPUs.
- Graphics: VBoxSVGA, 128 MB, 3D Acceleration ✅

Storage
- New VDI, dynamically allocated, 80–120 GB.

Security (for Win11)
- Enable EFI, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0.

Networking
- Adapter 1: NAT
- (Optional) Adapter 2: Host-only
- (Optional) Adapter 3: Bridged

Integration
- Shared Clipboard: Bidirectional
- Drag’n’Drop: Bidirectional
- Shared Folders: Add D:\Shared\WinLab, Auto-mount ✅

3. Install Windows 11 (Manual OOBE)

  1. Start VM → boot from ISO.
  2. Select edition (e.g., Pro).
  3. Install to empty disk.
  4. OOBE:
  5. Online account (recommended) or offline local account.
  6. Name computer (e.g., WIN11-LAB).
  7. Create local admin (e.g., SysAdmin).

4. Post-Install Setup

4.1 Install Guest Additions

  • VirtualBox menu → Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD image.
  • In VM, run VBoxWindowsAdditions-amd64.exe.
  • Reboot.
  • Confirm resize, clipboard, drag-drop working.

4.2 Verify Requirements

  • Run tpm.msc → Confirm TPM 2.0 is active.
  • Run msinfo32 → Confirm BIOS Mode = UEFI, Secure Boot = On.

4.3 Map Shared Folder

Option A — File Explorer
- Map drive → \\vboxsvr\Shared → assign S:

Option B — PowerShell 

New-PSDrive -Name 'S' -PSProvider FileSystem -Root '\\vboxsvr\Shared' -Persist

5. Take a Baseline Snapshot

  1. Shut down the VM.
  2. VirtualBox → Snapshots → Take.
  3. Name: Baseline - Clean Install + Guest Additions.
  4. Description: Windows activated, Guest Additions installed, Secure Boot + TPM confirmed, shared folder working.

Verification

  • VM boots successfully with Windows 11 Pro.
  • Guest Additions features work (resize, clipboard, drag-drop).
  • Shared folder mapped and accessible.
  • TPM 2.0 + Secure Boot confirmed.
  • Snapshot exists as rollback point.

It worked if…

  • VM starts with Windows 11 Pro
  • Guest Additions features work
  • Shared folder works
  • Secure Boot + TPM confirmed
  • Baseline snapshot exists

Troubleshooting

  • TPM not found → Ensure VirtualBox settings (EFI, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0) are enabled.
  • Guest Additions not working → Reinstall, check Graphics = VBoxSVGA + 3D Acceleration.
  • Shared folder missing → Re-map \\vboxsvr\Shared, ensure Auto-mount is set.

Common issues

  • TPM/secure boot disabled → adjust VM settings
  • Guest Additions fails → ensure Extension Pack is installed

References