Oracle VirtualBox can run Windows 10 as a virtual machine for compatibility testing, software development, or access to an older application. Windows 10 reached the end of standard support in October 2025, so an internet-connected Windows 10 VM should not be treated as a current general-purpose Windows environment.
Create a Windows 10 virtual machine
- Install a current release of VirtualBox from Oracle.
- Confirm that hardware virtualization is enabled on the host computer.
- Create a new virtual machine and select Windows as the guest operating system.
- Assign enough memory and processor resources without starving the host system.
- Create a virtual disk with enough space for Windows and the applications you plan to test.
- Attach legitimate Windows 10 installation media to the VM.
- Start the virtual machine and complete Windows Setup.
- Install the appropriate VirtualBox Guest Additions when needed for integration features.
Windows licensing still applies
Running Windows inside a virtual machine does not remove Microsoft’s licensing requirements. Use a legitimate license appropriate for the installation and your intended use.
A virtual machine is not automatically isolated
Malware or vulnerable services inside a VM may still communicate over the network, and shared folders or clipboard integration can create paths between guest and host. Choose the VM’s network and sharing settings according to the level of isolation you actually need.
Snapshots are useful, but they are not backups
A snapshot makes it convenient to return a test VM to an earlier state. Keep separate backups of important VM data, particularly before major operating-system or application changes.
For routine internet-connected Windows use, prefer a supported Windows release. Keep Windows 10 VMs limited to situations where compatibility or controlled testing genuinely requires them.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
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