How to Use VirtualBox to Run an Existing VM Image

When working with virtual machines (VMs), it's not uncommon to need more space than initially assigned. This can be particularly frustrating when you're running out of room in your Ubuntu guest disk, which is why I'll walk you through the steps for increasing the size of a VirtualBox Ubuntu guest disk without losing any data.

In this blog post, I'll provide tips on how to make an export of a VM small, making it easier to upload and copy the VM. This is especially helpful if you've created a nice VM and want to distribute it. By following these steps, you can ensure that your VM export isn't too large, making it simpler to share.

Before proceeding with these (or similar) steps, please be cautious, as incorrect execution could result in screwing up your partitions and potentially losing data. If your partition layout differs, the steps will be similar but may require slight modifications.

For this exercise, I've used a default Ubuntu 16.04 installation as my guest in VirtualBox. The goal is to increase the size of the VirtualBox Ubuntu guest disk without compromising any data, allowing for additional software installations or other needs that may arise after using the VM.

Sometimes, I create a VirtualBox disk with a specific size for usage in a VM. After using the VM for a while, it's common (often) to need more space than initially assigned. This is where these steps come in handy.

By following these guidelines, you'll be able to increase the size of your VirtualBox Ubuntu guest disk without sacrificing any data or functionality. Whether you're looking to install additional software or simply need more space, this tutorial will walk you through the process step-by-step.

How to use virtualbox to run an existing vm image