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I have the ISO image file (that is, *.iso), and I am trying to boot my VirtualBox installation with this image. Is it possible? I know how to mount my ISO image to my filesystem (on my host machine), but I don't think VirtualBox boots an OS from a location on my file system.

I've even tried to mimic the mounting such that VirtualBox thinks it has to boot from the CD drive, but availed only failure.

What is the correct way to install an OS from an ISO image on VirtualBox?

My host machine is Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx). And my VirtualBox version is 4.1.4.

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Thanks! this really made things a lot simpler for me. I thought I would have to burn a DVD to load Kali linux. Saved me some $$$!!! –  Matt Apr 21 at 19:53

1 Answer 1

up vote 36 down vote accepted

I would venture to say you are overcomplicating things! You only need to mount the iso in the virtual machine.

  1. Right click on the VM you want to run the .iso in
  2. Click on 'Storage' (On Oracle VM virtualBox, Click on 'Settings' first to get to 'Storage')
  3. Under 'IDE Controller' There should be an icon that shows a CD with a + sign on it, to create a new disc drive
  4. A box will come up, click 'Choose Disk'
  5. Choose your .iso

Should boot into the iso like it's in the disc drive.

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I get the following error: paste.ubuntu.com/704782 –  deostroll Oct 9 '11 at 8:45
@deostroll are you sure the file has the correct format and has not, e.g., been corrupted in download? What does the command file output if you run it on you .iso? –  Riccardo Murri Oct 9 '11 at 11:39
@deostroll I also got an error when trying to add the iso as a disk. I just had to select "Add CD/DVD device" instead of "Add Hard Disk." –  Brian Dec 1 '13 at 17:58

protected by Community Apr 21 at 19:54


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