Ubuntu Support Template
Ubuntu Version:
Example: 24.xx LTS
Desktop Environment (if applicable):
Example: GNOME, etc.
Problem Description:
PC Virtualization w/Ubuntu or Debian-based Linux with multiple Windows VM. I have identified some Internet references for configuring my PCs w/kernel-based virtualization but chose to post this to ensure I had sound instruction before proceeding with this task.
Additionally, I suspect at least tow unexpected issues/complications. One of the laptops I intend to configure in this manner already has 64-bit Win 7 Pro installed. How do I proceed to my goal with this machine? I think the disk must be wiped before I begin. Install Ubuntu/Linus first, configure VM, then install Windows. I also need to preserve my ability to use Windows 2000 due to third party software application requirements.
What you are describing is kernel-based virtualization, which on Linux is typically done using KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) together with QEMU and libvirt.
1. Do you need to wipe the disk first?
Not strictly, but it depends on your goal.
The cleanest and most flexible approach is:
- Install Ubuntu (or Debian) as the host OS
- Configure KVM/QEMU + libvirt
- Install Windows 7 and Windows 2000 as separate virtual machines
This avoids hardware compatibility issues and is strongly recommended, especially for legacy systems like Windows 2000.
You can dual-boot Windows and Linux, but it adds complexity and provides little benefit if virtualization is your main goal.
2. About Windows 7 and Windows 2000
- Windows 7 runs very well as a KVM guest.
- Windows 2000 generally does not work reliably on modern physical hardware, but it works reasonably well inside a VM.
For Windows 2000, expect to:
- Use SeaBIOS (legacy BIOS, not UEFI)
- Use an older virtual CPU model (e.g. Pentium-class)
- Accept limited graphics and driver support
This is a strong reason not to install Windows 2000 directly on bare metal.
3. Recommended guides and references
Start with these, in order:
- Ubuntu Official KVM Documentation
(Covers installation, CPU checks, networking, storage)
- libvirt / virt-manager documentation
(VM management via GUI)
- QEMU documentation
(Important for legacy guests like Windows 2000)
Useful search terms:
Ubuntu KVM libvirt virt-manager
QEMU Windows 2000 guest
KVM legacy operating systems
4. Things to verify before starting
-
CPU supports virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V)
-
Virtualization is enabled in BIOS/UEFI
-
You are comfortable that:
- Windows 2000 will have limited performance
- Modern USB and graphics acceleration are not available
2 Likes
I’m a bit confused at the moment.
Do you already have Ubuntu or another Linux distro installed and running on any of your computers or do you just have Windows, and have you ever used KVM to run a virtual machine of either Linux or Windows?
@MesterPerfect - Thank you for the detailed response. Most of the information you provided is know to me but not all. I will look into these issues carefully before continuing to configure my computers as needed.
@ajgreeny - Sorry for the confusion. Yes, I have Ubuntu Pro on tow PCs at the moment. However, the main laptop I am considering for this task has the 64-bit Win7 Pro as the lone OS. Other computers may duplicate this idea.
My decision to post this here is that the guides I have found regarding this task have been external personal websites and these may not contain current information or be as correct.
Since you already have Ubuntu Pro on two systems, you can test and refine your KVM/QEMU setup there first.
For the laptop that currently runs Windows 7 only, the cleanest approach is to back up your data, install Ubuntu as the host OS, and then run Windows (including legacy versions) as virtual machines.
1 Like
Installing KVM is well documented. You will find instructions on many sites on how to do this. The steps are going to be almost the same for any recent Ubuntu distribution. They basically will guide you to:
-
Run a command to see if your CPU supports virtualization. The command will vary slightly, depending on whether you have an Intel or AMD CPU.
-
If your CPU supports virtualization, then you will want to go into your motherboard bios to make sure that it is enabled. Sometimes, virtualization is not enabled by default.
-
Run sudo apt update , then run a command to install KVM, Libvirt, & QEMU
-
I recommend also installing virt-manager. If the command you find does not include virt-manager somewhere in the command, I would add it onto the end of your installation command. This will give you a GUI interface to help install and manager your VMs.
-
You will want to add your username to the KVM & libvirt groups
-
You will need to start and enable the libvirt daemon, then reboot.
-
At this point, the default networking that KVM has set up for you is basically NAT, behind the hypervisor. This is ok if you only need each host to be able to go out to the Internet. However, if you need any of the VM hosts to be reachable on the network by any other hosts, this will not work. In this case, you will need to configure a bridge (br0) network on the KVM interface.
-
If you need a bridge, you will want to look for instructions that tell you how to set up a bridge on the interface.
Here is a recent discussion here on the topic of setting up a bridge. You will also find many tutorials on how to do it.
As @MesterPerfect suggested, I would spin up my training wheels on one of your other machines that already has Ubuntu installed.
Once you are ready to use your target machine, and you have everything backed up somewhere safely, then you will need to either completely clear that old Windows drive using something like G-Parted, then set up a new GPT partition table on it. From there, your Ubuntu installer can take over the disk and perform the distro installation.
Alternatively, if you are not concerned about warranties on the laptop, and you’re comfortable working within your hardware, it may be very possible to remove the old windows disc and put a new SSD in its place.
1 Like