HOW TO Set up an Ubuntu virtual machine

Installation media

Open your web browser and navigate to bit.ly/mac361dldubtudsktp. Click the Download button next to Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS — this version is supported by VMware’s Linux Easy Install feature. It’s a 2.8GB download.

Check settings

The machine’s default settings will appear — click Customize Settings to set a bigger hard disk (20GB is a bit tight). You’ll be prompted to save the file in the default VMware VMs folder — click Save or pick another if you wish.

First–time login

While you wait, sign up for an Ubuntu One account (https://login. ubuntu.com/) through your Mac browser. When complete, you’ll be taken to the login screen: click your username and enter your password.

Create new VM

Open VMware Fusion and choose File > New. Open a Finder window and drag ubuntu-20.04.1desktop-amd64.iso on to the “Install from disc or image.” Click Continue to bring up the Linux Easy Install screen.

Tweak your system

Use the System Preferences–like pane to make changes to your VM as you see fit. One recommended tweak if you value performance over security is to select Advanced and choose Disable Side Channel Mitigations.

Connect account

Click Ubuntu Single Sign–On to sign into your newly created Ubuntu One account. Enter your Ubuntu user password when prompted. Click Next followed by Set Up Livepatch, then complete the setup wizard.

Customize setup

With Use Easy Install selected, enter your Display Name and password. Choose whether to make your Home folder accessible to the VM, and whether it’s read/write or read–only access. Click Continue.

Ubuntu installation

Click the big play button — thanks to Easy Install, Ubuntu will start to install itself automatically. The setup wizard keeps you informed as to its progress, and it highlights Ubuntu’s features and apps.

Increase screen size

If Software Updater pops up, click Install Now, rebooting if prompted. Log back in, then click the power button in the top right–hand corner and choose Settings > Displays > Resolution to resize the screen.