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Windows 11 Installation Guide

Using VirtualBox - Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Students

Introduction

This guide will help students install Windows 11 inside a Virtual Machine using VirtualBox.

This allows you to:

  • Test Windows safely
  • Practice OS installation
  • Learn virtualization
  • Run multiple operating systems
  • Create lab environments
⚠️ Important: This does NOT affect your main computer.

System Requirements

Minimum (Basic Usage)

RAM

8GB

Storage

100GB Free

Processor

Intel i5 / Ryzen 5+

BIOS

Virtualization enabled

Recommended (Smooth Performance)

RAM

16GB

Storage

512GB SSD

CPU Cores

4+

Virtualization

Enabled

Required Downloads (Official Links Only)

1️⃣ VirtualBox

Download from official website:

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Download: Windows Hosts

2️⃣ Windows 11 ISO

Download from official Microsoft website:

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

Scroll down → Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)

File size: ~5–6GB

STEP 1

Enable Virtualization

Before installing:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
  2. Go to Performance → CPU
  3. Check: Virtualization

If it shows Disabled:

  1. Restart computer
  2. Enter BIOS (F2 / F10 / DEL depending on system)
  3. Enable:
    • Intel VT-x
    • SVM Mode (AMD)
  4. Save & Exit
STEP 2

Install VirtualBox

  1. Open downloaded VirtualBox file
  2. Click Next → Next → Install
  3. Allow network driver installation
  4. Click Finish
  5. Restart system if required
STEP 3

Create Windows 11 Virtual Machine

1. Open VirtualBox

Click "New"

2. Fill details

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

Click Next

3. Allocate RAM

  • Minimum: 4GB
  • Recommended: 8GB
Do not give more than half your total RAM

Click Next

4. Allocate CPU

Go to Processor tab:

  • Minimum: 2 cores
  • Recommended: 4 cores

Click OK

5. Create Virtual Hard Disk

Select:

  • Create virtual hard disk now
  • VDI
  • Dynamically allocated
  • Size: 80GB

Click Finish

STEP 4

Configure Important Settings

Before starting VM:

Enable EFI

Settings → System → Enable EFI

Increase Video Memory

Settings → Display →

  • Video Memory: 128MB
  • Enable 3D Acceleration
STEP 5

Attach Windows ISO

  1. Go to Settings → Storage
  2. Click Empty
  3. Choose Windows 11 ISO file
  4. Click OK
STEP 6

Install Windows 11

  1. Click Start
  2. Select Language
  3. Click Install Now
  4. If asked for product key:
    • Enter key OR
    • Click "I don't have a product key"
  5. Choose version: Windows 11 Pro

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Fix "This PC Can't Run Windows 11"

If you see this error:

1. Press: Shift + F10

Command prompt opens.

2. Type:

regedit

3. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup

4. Create new key:

  • Right click → New → Key
  • Name it: LabConfig

5. Inside LabConfig create 3 DWORD (32-bit) values:

BypassTPMCheck = 1 BypassSecureBootCheck = 1 BypassRAMCheck = 1

6. Close Registry Editor

Click Back → Install again.

Installation will continue. ✅

Disk Selection

Select:

  • Unallocated 80GB disk

Click Next

⏱️ Installation takes 15–25 minutes

VM will restart automatically.

STEP 7

Initial Setup

Choose:

Complete setup.

Windows 11 is now installed!

STEP 8

Install Guest Additions (Very Important)

This improves:

  • ✔ Full screen mode
  • ✔ Copy/paste between host and VM
  • ✔ Smooth mouse integration
  • ✔ Better graphics performance
  1. In VirtualBox menu: Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD
  2. Inside Windows: Open This PC
  3. Run VBoxWindowsAdditions.exe
  4. Install
  5. Restart VM

Network Configuration

Default Mode: NAT (Recommended)

To change:

  1. Settings → Network → Adapter 1
  2. Change NAT → Bridged Adapter
  3. Restart VM

TROUBLESHOOTING SECTION

❌ 64-bit Option Not Showing

Solution:

  • Enable Virtualization in BIOS
  • Disable Hyper-V:
    • Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows features on/off
    • Uncheck Hyper-V
    • Restart PC

❌ Black Screen After Boot

Solution:

  • Disable EFI
  • Increase Video Memory
  • Enable 3D Acceleration

❌ Very Slow Performance

Solution:

  • Increase RAM allocation
  • Increase CPU cores
  • Close background applications
  • Use SSD instead of HDD

❌ No Internet in VM

Solution:

  • Settings → Network → Change to NAT
  • Restart VM

❌ Windows Not Activating

You need valid Windows product key.

VM works without activation but with limited personalization.

Final Checklist

Before starting lab:

To create snapshot:

VirtualBox → Machine → Take Snapshot

FAQ Section

Q1: Will this affect my real Windows?

No. It runs separately inside VirtualBox.

Q2: Can I delete VM later?

Yes. Delete from VirtualBox safely.

Q3: Is Windows activation required?

Optional for learning.

Q4: How much RAM should I give?

Half of your system RAM maximum.