Run virtual machines in Gnome Boxes
Boxed
© Lead Image © yarruta, 123RF.com and gnome photo by David Brooke Martin on Unsplash
In the past, using virtual machines required expensive programs such as VMware or open source add-ons such as VirtualBox. Gnome Boxes brings a convenient virtualization option to the Linux desktop.
If you want to set up a virtual machine (VM) with a graphical user interface on Linux, you might be inclined to go with VirtualBox or VMware's commercial offerings. These applications, which have been established for years, offer many functions. However, due to their full version's proprietary licenses, they are not found in the package sources of popular Linux distributions.
With VirtualBox, you would have to install the Extension Pack alongside the program to use the application's full functionality. In addition, it is important to pay attention to licences. VirtualBox's source code is released under the GPL v2.0, but you can only use the proprietary add-on free of charge [1] for personal use or testing purposes.
Boxes Out of the Box
Because Gnome Boxes, a front-end tool for Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM), is created within the framework of the Gnome Desktop Environment [2], it does not require the installation of any additional software (see the "SPICE Mix" box). With KVM directly integrated into the Linux kernel, Boxes does not have to worry about virtualization. The software simply provides the VM with the environment, using existing libraries and applications such as libvirt and Qemu [3].
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.
-
EndeavorOS Mercury Neo Available
A new release from the EndeavorOS team ships with Plasma 6.3 and other goodies.
-
Fedora 42 Beta Has Arrived
The Fedora Project has announced the availability of the first beta release for version 42 of the open-source distribution.
-
Dash to Panel Maintainer Quits
Charles Gagnon has stepped away as maintainer of the popular Dash to Panel Gnome extension.
-
CIQ Releases Security-Hardened Version of Rocky Linux
If you're looking for an enterprise-grade Linux distribution that is hardened for business use, there's a new version of Rocky Linux that's sure to make you and your company happy.
-
Gnome’s Dash to Panel Extension Gets a Massive Update
If you're a fan of the Gnome Dash to Panel extension, you'll be thrilled to hear that a new version has been released with a dock mode.
-
Blender App Makes it to the Big Screen
The animated film "Flow" won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025 and Blender was a part of it.
-
Linux Mint Retools the Cinnamon App Launcher
The developers of Linux Mint are working on an improved Cinnamon App Launcher with a better, more accessible UI.
-
New Linux Tool for Security Issues
Seal Security is launching a new solution to automate fixing Linux vulnerabilities.