Installing Ubuntu in VM using hyper-v

mpeill said:

Apologies for the very basic question, but this is my first attempt at creating a virtual machine within Windows 10 pro using hyper-v. I have created a VM, and during the process allocated a drive/folder for that VM, and selected the Linux iso file that should be installed. When I run the VM, it runs the install from the iso file, and gives several options for the install, the first of which is to create a new install, erasing all data from the existing hard drives.
I'd just like confirmation, before I hit go, that the install will erase all data only from the VM drive/folder selected, and not my complete Windows 10 installation.

As long as you are doing this in your Hypervisor, it will not affect your system at all. It's just your VHD(virtual hard disk) that gets formatted.
Hyper-V virtualization - Setup and Use in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

mpeill said:

Apologies for the very basic question, but this is my first attempt at creating a virtual machine within Windows 10 pro using hyper-v. I have created a VM, and during the process allocated a drive/folder for that VM, and selected the Linux iso file that should be installed. When I run the VM, it runs the install from the iso file, and gives several options for the install, the first of which is to create a new install, erasing all data from the existing hard drives.
I'd just like confirmation, before I hit go, that the install will erase all data only from the VM drive/folder selected, and not my complete Windows 10 installation.

I have less than minimum knowledge on Ubuntu.
However, I have had some experience running Linux 17.2 "live CD" on my Windows 10 Home laptop.
Insert the Live CD to the dvd drive to run Linux > remove CD to return to Win 10 Home.
That simple.
You can do exactly the same with a Live CD Ubuntu.
You can mess up anyway you want while running Ubuntu and it won't affect your Windows 10 one bit.

What's my point ?
That you can save the trouble of creating a VM and installing Ubuntu/Linux into it.
Just thought I would offer an alternative.
Sorry if I have gone off topic.

It will run rally slow. Get one of the lighter weight Distro's out there. It will still be Ubuntu, just a faster GuI.

davidhk you can run Linux on a USB microSD card or stick. You need to use a Class 10 device.

I run Ubuntu Mate on a Raspberry Pi 2 that is a Armv7 Quad 700mhz, 1 GB RAM. Makes for a nice test bench for playing with.