If you’ve never run a virtual machine before, Ubuntu Desktop is one of the best places to start. It’s extremely well documented, has a big community surrounding it, and is relatively easy to run (even on little resources). Ubuntu Desktop is one of the most widely-used Linux operating systems in the world. Based on Debian, running Ubuntu Desktop will allow you to get familiar with many aspects of both virtual machines and Linux.

Stepping out from an operating system with a more traditional desktop environment is Ubuntu Server. It’s essentially Ubuntu Desktop but without a pretty user interface. No GNOME is present here (though it could be installed if you want).

Where Ubuntu Server shines is getting you ready for system administration tasks, homelabbing, or just running lightweight software that doesn’t need a full-on interface. I personally run several Ubuntu Server virtual machines in my homelab, and have for years. It’s a great place to run things like Docker, Home Assistant, websites, and much more.

Ubuntu Server is a more lightweight operating system that runs fantastically with low resources, making it ideal for virtual machines.

Linux Mint was the first version of Linux I tried that wasn’t Ubuntu. I love the user interface of Linux Mint, and it’s a great beginner Linux OS to run. I’d put it in the same realm as Ubuntu, and it’s actually based on Ubuntu, just with a few tweaks. You’ll get LibreOffice built-in, and it’s great with many other workflows.

Linux Mint is probably one of my favorite Linux distros to date and is one you should definitely check out. One of the things I love about it is that the UI reminds me of a cross between macOS and Windows, though it definitely has its own styling. If I was to run a Linux distro, it would likely be Linux Mint. If you’ve not used Linux Mint before, you should install it in a virtual machine and give it a try today.

Unlike Ubuntu, which is based on Debian, Fedora is built upon Red Hat Enterprise Linux, utilizing its own set of commands and functionality. The core of the operating system is very similar to Ubuntu, but the little things are where it starts to differ. For instance, instead of the apt package manager that Ubuntu uses, Fedora uses DNF (and used to rely on yum).

Fedora is still a relatively easy-to-use operating system, and can be extremely fun to play around with in a virtual machine. The OS looks nice and sleek, delivering a good bit of customization potential. If you’re looking for something fresh and new to try instead of Ubuntu, spin up a Fedora virtual machine.

Did you grow up in the era of DOS-based computing before Windows took over? Well, FreeDOS is for you. Designed as an open-source DOS-compatible operating system, FreeDOS brings the iconic command line of the 80s and 90s to modern day. Built to play classic DOS games, run older business software, and more, this operating system is one that can be extremely fun to play with.

While I wouldn’t recommend anyone daily drive FreeDOS, I do think that it’s the perfect operating system for a virtual machine. You’ll be able to use the full OS, play games, and enjoy DOS without having to reboot your system or sacrifice any modern conveniences.

While Windows 10 might be getting sunset later this year, there might still be some reasons that you want to run the operating system. Windows actually installs into a virtual machine quite well, and you get the full experience without having to run it as your primary operating system. Running Windows 10 in a virtual machine helps to segregate your primary operating system from Windows 10 as it becomes end of life and stops receiving security updates. This means that your primary operating system isn’t susceptible to attacks due to it being no longer supported, making a VM the ideal way to keep using Windows 10.