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Virtual Ubuntu

A virtual machine can work, but it adds another layer of complexity. Use a VM only if you specifically want isolation from your daily machine.

VM on Windows 11

  • Install VMware Workstation Pro 25
  • Download Ubuntu 25 ISO
  • Standard configuration
  • Install updates after creation
Setting Recommended
CPU 4+ vCPU
RAM 16 GB
Disk 40 GB
Processors 1 socket, 8 cores

VM on macOS

  • Install VMware Fusion Pro 25
  • Download Ubuntu 25 ISO
  • Standard configuration
  • Install updates after creation

Shared folders between host and guest

Sharing a folder lets you move files between your Windows or macOS host and the Ubuntu guest without using the network.

VMware Workstation (Windows host)

  1. Create a folder on Windows to use as the share (e.g. D:\VMshare).
  2. Power down the virtual machine.
  3. Select the VM and open Edit virtual machine settings.
  4. Go to Options > Shared Folders.
  5. Select Always enabled, click Add, and browse to the folder you created.
  6. Enable the share, click Finish and OK.
  7. Boot the VM.

Inside Ubuntu, the shared folder should appear at:

ls /mnt/hgfs/

If /mnt/hgfs is empty, mount it manually:

sudo vmhgfs-fuse .host:/ /mnt/hgfs/ -o allow_other -o uid=1000

If /mnt/hgfs does not exist at all:

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/hgfs
sudo vmhgfs-fuse .host:/ /mnt/hgfs/ -o allow_other -o uid=1000

To list available shared folders:

vmware-hgfsclient

To make the mount persist across reboots, add this line to /etc/fstab:

.host:/  /mnt/hgfs  fuse.vmhgfs-fuse  allow_other,uid=1000  0  0

VMware Fusion (macOS host)

The same Shared Folders setting is available under the VM's Settings > Sharing. The guest-side mount path and commands are identical.

Reference: Share folders between Windows host and Ubuntu guest

Things to watch out for

  • Networking between host and guest can be tricky
  • Docker inside a VM adds an extra layer
  • USB and GPU passthrough may not work as expected

Once the VM is running with Ubuntu, follow the same installation path as a dedicated Ubuntu machine.

Next steps