Ubuntu 26.04

How to Install KVM on Ubuntu 26.04

To install KVM on Ubuntu 26.04, follow these steps.

Step 1 : A number greater than 0 means the CPU has VT-x (vmx) or AMD-V (svm).

grep -E -c '(vmx|svm)' /proc/cpuinfo

Step 2 : Update.

sudo apt update

Step 3 : Install KVM packages.

sudo apt install qemu-system-x86 libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients virtinst cpu-checker virt-viewer

Step 4 : Check KVM.

kvm-ok

Step 5 : Enable libvirtd.

sudo systemctl enable --now libvirtd
sudo systemctl status libvirtd

Step 6 : List networks.

sudo virsh net-list --all

Step 7 : If default is inactive. Skip if it is already active (the command errors).

sudo virsh net-autostart default
sudo virsh net-start default

Step 8 : Download the Alpine virt ISO (change the URL if Alpine has a newer release).

sudo wget -O /var/lib/libvirt/images/alpine-virt-3.24.1-x86_64.iso https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/v3.24/releases/x86_64/alpine-virt-3.24.1-x86_64.iso

Step 9 : Create the guest. One line. --noautoconsole returns to the prompt. Keep graphics (VNC) — do not use --graphics none.

sudo virt-install --name alpine --memory 512 --vcpus 1 --disk path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/alpine.qcow2,size=8,format=qcow2 --cdrom /var/lib/libvirt/images/alpine-virt-3.24.1-x86_64.iso --os-variant linux2024 --network network=default --virt-type kvm --graphics vnc,listen=127.0.0.1 --noautoconsole

Step 10 : List guests.

sudo virsh list --all

Step 11 : Open the guest window. Boot to the Alpine login.

sudo virt-viewer alpine

You have installed KVM on Ubuntu 26.04.