How to Install Arch Linux in VirtualBox: 2025 Complete Beginner Guide

Arch Linux is known for being fast, minimal, and powerful—but installing it manually can be time-consuming and intimidating for beginners. What if you could get Arch up and running in just minutes, using a simple guided installer?

With the built-in archinstall tool, you can. This tutorial will show you how to install Arch Linux in VirtualBox using the archinstall command—no deep terminal knowledge needed!

Why Install Arch Linux in VirtualBox?

Before we jump in, let’s quickly explore why you might want to do this:

• 🔒 Safe Testing: No risk to your main OS.
• 🔁 Reversible: Easily delete and reset if something goes wrong.
• 🧠 Learning: Great way to learn Linux without affecting your files.
• 🧪 Experimentation: Perfect for developers or tinkerers.

What You’ll Need Before Starting

To install Arch Linux in VirtualBox, you’ll need the following:

1. VirtualBox – Download it from virtualbox.org
2. Arch Linux ISO – Get the latest ISO from archlinux.org/download
3. A computer with at least 8 GB RAM and 20 GB free disk space

Step-by-Step Guide to Install Arch Linux in VirtualBox

Step 1: Create a New Virtual Machine in VirtualBox

1. Open VirtualBox and click “New.”
2. Name it “Arch Linux”.
3. Folder: Choose where you want to save the virtual machine files.
4. ISO Image: Choose the ISO file of Arch Linux from where you’ve downloaded it.
5. Set Type to Linux and Subtype to Arch Linux and Version to Arch Linux (64-bit).
6. Skip Unattended Installation: If this option is not disabled then check this option to skip the automatic installation.
7. Now ignore the Unattended Installation Section and Click on Hardware.

Allocate Hardware Resources

• Base Memory: Assign at least 4096 MB (4 GB) of RAM.
• Processors: Set CPUs to 4 or more (depending on your hardware).
• Click on Hard Disk.

Create a Virtual Hard Disk

• Choose “Create a virtual hard disk now”.
• Select VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image).
• Keep Unchecked Pre-allocate Full Size option for save space.
• Set the disk size to at least 20 GB.
• Click Finish.

Step 2: Boot Into Arch and Start Guided Installer

• Hit Start.
• In the boot menu, choose the default option (usually auto-selected).
• Arch Linux will boot into a live environment.
• You’ll be taken to the Arch Linux terminal interface.
• When the terminal appears, run:

archinstall

This launches the official guided installer provided by the Arch team.

Step 3: Go Through the archinstall Guided Setup

The archinstall wizard will walk you through the following:

1. Language & Keyboard – Choose your preferred layout.
2. Disk Selection – Select the virtual disk (e.g., /dev/sda).
3. Disk Layout – Choose Erase Disk for a clean install.
4. Filesystem – Recommend using ext4 unless you have a reason to use btrfs/zfs.
5. Bootloader – Select systemd-boot or GRUB.
6. Hostname – Pick something simple like archvm.
7. Root Password – Set a secure password.
8. User Account – Add a new user (recommended), set password, and optionally add to sudoers.
9. Profile – Choose a desktop profile like:
   • GNOME
   • KDE Plasma
   • i3 (for minimalists)
10. Network – Usually auto-detected. Ensure DHCP or wired internet is enabled.
11. Mirror Region – Pick the region closest to you.
12. Optional Packages – You can add Firefox, nano, etc.
13. Confirm and Install – After review, confirm to start the installation.

Step 4: Reboot into Your New Arch Linux System

Once the installation completes:

reboot

💡 IMPORTANT: Before rebooting, go to VirtualBox Settings > Storage and remove the ISO from the virtual CD drive, or you’ll boot back into the installer again.

If you want to try another Linux distro which has designed to look and feel familiar to Windows or macOS, check out our guide on How to install Zorin OS in VirtualBox in Windows OS!

What to Do After Installation?

You now have a working Arch Linux system with a desktop environment! Here’s what you can do next:

• Use pacman to install software:

sudo pacman -S firefox code vlc

• Customize your desktop theme, wallpaper, icons
• Set up a firewall like ufw
• Enable file sharing between VM and Host via Guest Additions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is archinstall reliable?
Yes! It’s the official installer maintained by the Arch Linux team.

Q: Can I still customize my Arch install?
Absolutely. archinstall simplifies the install, but everything is still Arch under the hood.

Q: Will this installation get rolling updates?
Yes. Arch Linux is a rolling release, meaning you’ll always get the latest version through regular updates.

Final Thoughts

The archinstall command brings the power of Arch Linux within reach for beginners. You don’t need to manually partition drives, configure bootloaders, or spend hours reading wiki pages. It’s all guided, simple, and effective.

Now that Arch is installed in your VirtualBox setup, you can explore, learn, and experiment—all without risking your main system.