✅ Learning Objectives

  • Understand what an Operating System does
  • Understand OS architecture (Kernel vs User)
  • Learn virtualization concepts (Hypervisors)
  • Install Windows 11 in VirtualBox
  • Configure & troubleshoot a Virtual Machine

Core Theory

1. OS Fundamentals

The OS is the bridge between User & Hardware. Without it, you have no app execution, memory management, or file storage.

Process Mgmt

Running & scheduling programs.

Memory Mgmt

Allocating RAM to apps.

Security

Permissions & accounts.

Boot Flow: BIOS/UEFI ➡️ Bootloader ➡️ Kernel ➡️ Drivers ➡️ Login

2. Architecture: Kernel vs User Mode

User Mode

  • Applications run here.
  • Limited hardware access.
  • Safe: Crash = App closes.

Kernel Mode

  • Full hardware access.
  • The Core of the OS.
  • Critical: Crash = Blue Screen (BSOD).

3. Virtualization & Hypervisors

Running multiple OSs on one physical machine using a Hypervisor.

Type 1 (Bare Metal)

Runs directly on hardware. Used in Enterprise Severs.

Type 2 (Hosted)

Runs as an app on OS. Example: VirtualBox.

Components:

vCPU (Processor), vRAM (Memory), vDisk (Hard Drive).

🧪 Hands-On Lab: Install Windows 11

Step 0: Enable Virtualization (BIOS)

  1. Check Task Manager → Performance → CPU. Look for "Virtualization: Enabled".
  2. If Disabled, restart and enter BIOS (F2/F10/Del).
  3. Enable Intel VT-x or AMD SVM Mode.

Step 1-2: Install VirtualBox & Create VM

1. Download & Install VirtualBox (Default settings).

2. Click New:

  • Name: Windows 11 Lab
  • Type: Microsoft Windows
  • Version: Windows 11 (64-bit)

Warning: If "64-bit" is missing, Virtualization is OFF in BIOS.

Step 3-6: Configure VM Hardware

RAM (Memory)

Min: 4GB. Rec: 8GB.

Never allocate >50% of host RAM!

CPU (Cores)

Min: 2 Cores. Rec: 4 Cores.

Storage (vDisk)

80GB, Dynamically Allocated, VDI format.

Attach IO

Settings → Storage → Empty Install CD → Select Windows 11 ISO.

⚠️ Step 7-8: The "Can't Run" Error & TPM Hack

Windows 11 requires a TPM 2.0 chip, which our VM lacks. We will bypass this.

1. At the "Install Now" screen (or error screen), press Shift + F10
2. Type regedit and hit Enter.
3. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
4. Right-click Setup → New Key → Name it LabConfig
5. Inside LabConfig, create two DWORD (32-bit) Values:
  - Name: BypassTPMCheck, Value: 1
  - Name: BypassSecureBootCheck, Value: 1
6. Close Regedit and continue installation.

Step 9: Guest Additions & Snapshots

Guest Additions (Drivers)

Enables Full Screen, Drag & Drop, Shared Clipboard.

Menu → Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD Image → Run Installer.

Snapshots

Crucial! Take a snapshot ("Clean Install") before experimenting.

Troubleshooting & Quiz

Common Issues

  • 🛑 Missing 64-bit: Enable VT-x in BIOS.
  • ⬛ Black Screen: Increase Video Memory.
  • 🐢 Slow VM: Give more Cores/RAM.
  • 🌐 No Internet: Switch to NAT adapter.

Quick Quiz

Q: What manages VMs?
A: Hypervisor (e.g., VirtualBox).
Q: Where do apps run?
A: User Mode (Safe). Kernel Mode is for OS core.
Q: Why use Snapshots?
A: To save the exact system state (Undo button).