How To Install Garuda Linux On Virtualbox Easy Setup Guide

How to install garuda linux on virtualbox

Garuda Linux installation on VirtualBox requires a little more “tuning” in 2026. Garuda’s extreme graphics and memory optimizations might occasionally cause issues for virtual environments because it is made for high-performance hardware.

Get Garuda 26.0 to work properly in a virtual machine by following this guide.

Configuring the “Virtual Hardware”

The default VirtualBox recommendations should not be used because Garuda employs Btrfs snapshots and extensive visual effects. Make use of these “Sweet Spot” parameters:

• Linux type and version: Arch Linux (64-bit).
• Base Memory: 4 GB minimum; 8 GB suggested.
• Processors: a minimum of two CPUs, with four CPUs being suggested.
• Slide this to the highest setting (128 MB or 256 MB) for the video memory.
• Choose the graphics controller (VMSVGA).
• In order to achieve the “Dr460nized” neon effects, make sure that 3D acceleration is enabled.
• A minimum of 40 GB of storage is required for Btrfs snapshots.

The Installation Process

• Mount the ISO: Attach the Garuda 26.0 ISO to the Optical Drive in the VM settings under Storage.
• Boot: Get the virtual machine running. The boot menu will say “Boot with open source drivers.” Avoid selecting NVIDIA drivers on a virtual machine.
• Install Garuda Linux on the desktop when the Live environment loads.
• Sections: Select “Erase Disk.” A Btrfs filesystem should be selected.

Note: Garuda’s attempt to compress RAM (ZRAM) within a virtual environment is the reason for a sluggish installer. It will speed up after installation, so please be patient.

• Finish: Reboot and finish the user setup.

Essential Post-Install: Guest Additions

The VirtualBox Guest Additions are required to achieve full-screen resolution and fluid mouse movement. It is better to install them through the terminal in Garuda:

• Run the following command in the Konsole terminal: sudo pacman -Syu sudo pacman -S virtualbox-guest-utils  
• Make the default provider choice when prompted.
• Start the virtual machine again.

Troubleshooting: The Solution for “Black Screen”

After installation, if a black screen appears when you boot up:

• Make sure to allocate a minimum of 4GB of RAM.
• Graphics: Turn off “3D Acceleration” under Settings > Display, then try to boot up. Update your system and switch it back on if it works.
• Legacy Mode: Attempt to switch the Graphics Controller to VBoxVGA if VMSVGA doesn’t work.

VM Specs

Component	Minimum	Recommended
RAM	4 GB	8 GB
CPU Cores	2	4
Disk Space	40 GB	60 GB
3D Graphics	Off (for stability)	On (for beauty)

Garuda linux commands

Garuda Linux is based on Arch Linux, so most of its commands are the same as Arch. The main difference is that Garuda comes with many tools pre-installed and uses Pacman + Chaotic-AUR for package management.

Below is a complete and practical list of Garuda Linux commands, grouped by category and explained clearly for learning and interviews.

1. System Information Commands

These commands help you understand your system.

Command	Purpose
neofetch	Show system info with logo
uname -a	Kernel and system details
lsb_release -a	Distribution info
hostnamectl	System hostname
uptime	How long system is running
free -h	RAM usage
df -h	Disk usage
lsblk	List storage devices

Example:

bash

neofetch

2. Package Management (Pacman)

Garuda uses Pacman (Arch package manager).

Install software

bash

sudo pacman -S firefox

Remove software

bash

sudo pacman -R firefox

Update system

bash

sudo pacman -Syu

Search package

bash

pacman -Ss vlc

List installed packages

bash

pacman -Q

Also read about EndeavourOS Download & Install Commands step by step Guide

3. AUR & Chaotic-AUR (Extra Software)

Garuda has Chaotic-AUR enabled by default.

Install AUR software

bash

sudo pacman -S google-chrome

Or using helpers:

bash

yay -S spotify

4. File & Directory Commands

Basic Linux file handling.

Command	Purpose
ls	List files
cd	Change directory
pwd	Current location
mkdir	Create folder
rm	Delete file
cp	Copy
mv	Move/rename
touch	Create empty file
tree	Folder structure

Example:

bash

mkdir projects
cd projects
touch demo.txt

5. System Maintenance (Garuda Tools)

Garuda includes its own utilities.

Garuda Assistant

bash

garuda-assistant

Cleans cache, fixes mirrors, repairs system.

Snapshots (Btrfs + Timeshift)

bash

sudo timeshift-gtk

Restore system if something breaks.

Also read about Manjaro Linux: Features, Download And Installation Process

6. Network Commands

Command	Purpose
ip a	Network interfaces
ping google.com	Test internet
nmcli	Network manager
iwctl	WiFi control
ssh user@ip	Remote login

7. Process Management

Command	Purpose
ps	Running processes
top	Live process monitor
htop	Advanced monitor
kill PID	Stop process
nice	Set priority

Example:

bash

htop
kill -9 1234

8. Disk & Mounting

Command	Purpose
mount	Attach disk
umount	Detach disk
lsblk	Show disks
blkid	Disk UUIDs

Example:

bash

sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt

9. Compression & Backup

Command	Purpose
tar	Archive
zip	Compress
unzip	Extract
rsync	Backup

Example:

bash

tar -cvf backup.tar folder/

10. User & Permission Commands

Command	Purpose
whoami	Current user
chmod	Change permission
chown	Change owner
sudo	Admin access
useradd	Create user
passwd	Change password

Example:

bash

chmod 755 script.sh

Also read about What Is Linux Mint? And Why Choose Mint Over Ubuntu? Explain

11. Garuda Gaming Commands

Garuda is popular for gaming.

Command	Purpose
steam	Launch Steam
gamemoderun	Boost performance
lutris	Game launcher
vkbasalt	Graphics overlay

12. Update & Repair Commands

Fix broken system:

bash

sudo pacman -Syyu
sudo pacman -S archlinux-keyring
sudo reflector --latest 10 --sort rate --save /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist

Most Important Garuda Commands (Interview)

Top 10 you should remember:

1. sudo pacman -Syu
2. pacman -S
3. pacman -R
4. neofetch
5. htop
6. lsblk
7. timeshift-gtk
8. garuda-assistant
9. yay -S
10. df -h

Garuda Linux vs kali Linux

Core Philosophy

Garuda Linux: A performance- and aesthetically-optimized “Daily Driver” built on Arch. It is assumed that you want to use your computer for office work, gaming, and video editing, but you also want it to have a Cyberpunk 2077 aesthetic.

Kali Linux: A cybersecurity expert’s work tool built on the Debian platform. Digital forensics and penetration testing are its intended uses. Using it as a “home” computer for browsing and gaming is not part of its design.

Key Differences in Daily Use

Performance/ Security

Garuda is designed to extract as much power as possible from your CPU and GPU. It employs performance profiles and zRAM to make your desktop feel “snappy.” To keep the machine “silent” and safe during a network attack, Kali, on the other hand, frequently turns off background services.

Snapshots of Btrfs: The “Oops” Factor

The biggest benefit of Garuda in 2026 is its Btrfs + Snapper system. From the boot menu, you can easily “roll back” to an hour ago if a poor update causes your machine to malfunction. In Kali, you frequently have to manually fix the system via the command line if you break it.

Gaming & Media

• Garuda: Includes “Garuda Gamer,” a utility that installs all necessary gaming software with a single click.
• Kali: Playing games is challenging and discouraged. Modern game anti-cheat software may clash with many of Kali’s security features.

Also read about What Is Kali Linux And How Does It Work? Its Key Features

Who Should Choose What?

Choose Garuda if: If you’re a developer, gamer, or student, you want a modern, sleek, and speedy operating system that gives you access to the newest apps as soon as they’re launched.

Choose Kali if: If you are preparing for a security certification (such as OSCP) or if you are a network administrator who need more than 600 pre-configured hacking tools.

Garuda has a BlackArch Edition that maintains the intuitive Garuda UI while offering over 2,800 security features for those that desire “Arch Power” with hacking tools.

Features

Features	Garuda Linux (2026)	Kali Linux (2026)
Base System	Arch Linux (Bleeding Edge)	Debian (Stable/Testing)
Primary Goal	Gaming, Multimedia, Performance	Hacking, Security Audits, Forensics
Default Kernel	Zen Kernel (Tuned for speed)	Custom Kernel (Tuned for Wi-Fi injection)
Software	Steam, Lutris, Discord, AUR	Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, Burp Suite
Updates	Continuous (Rolling Release)	Version-based (2026.1, 2026.2, etc.)
Stability	High (via Btrfs Snapshots)	Moderate (Tools can be fragile)
User Level	Beginner to Intermediate	Intermediate to Advanced