It depends on the objective for Linux. In my experience VirtualBox has some shortcomings in comparison with other hypervisors available in the same price range. However, VirtualBox does support different virtual disk image file formats, so it might more quickly/easily install a "shrink-wrapped" Mint guest OS "appliance" than another Windows host hypervisor/guest OS combination.
In my experience issues with VirtualBox can include installing the extensions that make file transfers to the Windows host and access to USB devices work, the need for VirtualBox command line management utilities, and setting up networking in a VirtualBox Linux guest OS so that Linux applications can access the Internet over the virtual network interface card. Also VirtualBox guest OS responsiveness can appear sluggish in comparison to other Windows hypervisors. If your windows host is obsolete and lacks adequate CPU, memory, and disk resources be prepared to fail and fail very slowly.
If the goal is to "kick the tires" on a GUI Linux, a live USB might work well. But you need to find a USB image creation tool like Unetbootin. And an extremely fast USB drive is highly recommended.
If the goal is to "kick the tires" on Linux from a shell command line, then something like WSL2 seems far simpler than Virtualbox.
If the goal is the recreate a well established Virtualbox / Mint application, the users of that application are the best resource since they have likely encountered and resolved many of the issues you find. And hopefully they won't point you to any Youtube videos.
Received on Tue Aug 19 2025 - 19:35:57 EDT