Run existing OS installation in a virtual machine

Question

I'm running Ubuntu and Windows 10 (on different drive partitions) with dualboot on my computer.

Sometimes I would like to use a tool that is installed in Ubuntu, while I'm using Windows, without restarting the computer and booting to Ubuntu.

I know that I could install a Ubuntu VM on my computer, but I don't want two different Ubuntu insallations on my computer.

Is it possible to access the existing Ubuntu installation with a VM software (VMware, VirtualBox,..)?

Answer 1

This is posible with VirtualBox.

1. Create vmdk drives that read from real drives
2. Assign the vmdk drives to a VM
3. Set one of the Writethrough modes.
4. Reorder boot-priority (semi optional)

This or this may help you