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Why Is My Virtual Machine Taking So Long to Boot on Linux?

August 22, 2026 4 answers
Asked by MellowCedar42
I'm trying to use Oracle VirtualBox on my Linux computer so I can install Power BI for a job-interview case study. I'm not very familiar with Linux, and after setting up VirtualBox, the virtual machine has been stuck booting for roughly 20–30 minutes. The CPU usage keeps fluctuating between about 100% and 103%. Is that normal, or is something configured incorrectly? Any beginner-friendly troubleshooting advice would be appreciated.
hardware virtualization Linux Power BI System Operations virtual machines VirtualBox VM troubleshooting

Answers

WanderingElm63
You may have an easier experience with KVM/QEMU and virt-manager, or with a tool such as Quickemu. These are commonly used on Linux and can perform better than VirtualBox, but they still require installing Windows and configuring the VM. Switching software won’t remove the need for a Windows license or installation image.
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SilverKite_28
Check that hardware virtualization is enabled in your firmware settings. Depending on your processor, it may be called Intel VT-x, AMD-V, or SVM. Also look at the VM’s CPU and memory settings and give it a reasonable number of cores and enough RAM, while leaving sufficient resources for Linux. A CPU reading around 100% means the VM is using a full core; it doesn’t automatically mean the system is working correctly.
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AmberFox_51
For a time-sensitive interview assignment, check whether the web version of Power BI meets the requirements. If the case study specifically requires the Windows desktop application, using an existing Windows computer or a hosted Windows environment may be less frustrating than troubleshooting virtualization from scratch.
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QuietHarbor7
First, confirm what the virtual machine is actually booting. VirtualBox by itself isn’t enough—you still need to install a supported guest operating system, usually Windows, inside the VM before installing Power BI. If you’re currently trying to install Windows, the first boot can take a while, but 20–30 minutes with no visible progress may indicate a problem with the installation media or VM settings.
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