How to Run Windows 11 on Virtual Machine via VirtualBox

If you want to run Windows 11 on a virtual machine, there are two famous methods. The first method uses Windows 10 to get the insider version of Windows 11 on VM. And the second method uses Windows 11 beta ISO to install and run Windows 11 on a virtual machine (VM) via VirtualBox or VMware. But your system needs to meet the requirements of Windows 11.

However, there is another third method to run Windows 11 on a virtual machine. In this method, you have to create a virtual hard disk (VHD) from an existing PC running Windows 11. After that, you can mount Windows 11 VHD file on VM in VirtualBox to run Windows 11.

SEE ALSO: How to Enable Hyper-V and create Virtual Machine in Windows 10?

Run Windows 11 on Virtual Machine via VirtualBox

So, in this tutorial, we will show you how to create or capture the VHD file from a Windows 11 running PC. After that, we will show you how to create a virtual machine in VirtualBox and mount the VHD file. Finally, we will configure the virtual machine and run Windows 11 on VirtualBox.

The basic requirement for this tutorial is a PC running Windows 11. So, let’s start with creating the VHD file first.

Step 1: Create Windows 11 VHD using Disk2vhd utility

First of all, download the Disk2vhd utility on your Windows 11 PC from the official page. It is a click-to-run utility, so, no installation is required. Just run the Disk2vhd utility and select the system drive of Windows 11 to create VHD.

Make sure to uncheck the “Use Vhdx” and “Use Volume Shadow Copy” options. Provide destination path, the name for VHD file, and select C drive and system partitions. You may un-select other drives safely. Finally, click Create button to start the process.

It may take some time depending upon the size of your system (C:) drive. After the process is complete, click Close to exit the Disk2vhd utility.

Step 2: Start New Virtual Machine Wizard in VirtualBox

After you are ready with the Windows 11 VHD file, it’s time to create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox. We will use this virtual machine to run Windows 11 in VirtualBox. So, first of all, install the latest version of VirtualBox on your PC. You may need to enable virtualization in BIOS before installing VirtualBox. After installation, launch VirtualBox and click New to create a virtual machine.

Now, you will see several options for the new VM. Type a name for your VM. We have used Windows11 as the name. Next, select Memory size. We recommend you to use at least 4GB RAM for the smooth functioning of Windows 11 VM.

After that, select the “Use an existing virtual hard disk file” option and click the Browse button to look for Windows 11 VHD file.

Step 3: Browse and Add VHD File Windows 11 VM

Now, you will see the Virtual Disk manager window. Click on Add button to browse for the VHD file.

Now, browse and select Windows 11 VHD file. Click Open to add this VHD to the list of available virtual disk files in VirtualBox.

Now, select Windows 11 VHD file from the list and click Choose to add VHD to the virtual machine.

Step 4: Create Windows 11 Virtual Machine

After selecting the VHD file, click Create button to create Windows 11 virtual machine in VirtualBox. Windows 11 VM will be available in the list of VMs on the left side.

Step 5: Enable UEFI/EFI for Windows 11 Virtual Machine

Now, select Windows 11 VM from the left pane and click the Settings button to edit its settings.

In Windows 11 virtual machine settings, select System from the left pane. Now, on the Motherboard tab, un-select Floppy from Boot Order. After that enable the check box for the “Enable EFI (special OSes only)” option. Finally, click OK to save the settings.

SEE ALSO: How to Upgrade your PC to Windows 11 (4 Methods Explained)?

Step 6: Run Windows 11 Virtual Machine in VirtualBox

Finally, it’s time to run our Windows 11 virtual machine. So, select Windows 11 VM from the left side in VirtualBox and click Start to start Windows 11 in VM.

You will see VirtualBox starting your Windows 11 VM. Wait for it to get to the login screen.

Step 7: Use Windows 11 in Virtual Machine

Now, you will be able to sign in to your Windows 11 virtual machine using the same credentials as your PC. As we have captured the VHD from your Windows 11 PC, it will have all programs and settings as of your PC.

Finally, you may want to uninstall some programs from Windows 11 virtual machine. You can do so from Control Panel or using Command Prompt.

Run Windows 11 in VirtualBox VM on your PC

The above tutorial explained how you can capture your Windows 11 to VHD file and mount it on VM. After that run Windows 11 on the virtual machine in VirtualBox. Besides VirtualBox, you can also use Hyper-V to install and run Windows 11 on your PC.

Hope you liked this tutorial. Feel free to share your doubts and suggestions in the comment section down below. You may also subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest tutorials directly into your inbox.