Install KVM on Ubuntu 24.04

Source: Dev.to

Check CPU virtualization support

lscpu | grep -E 'vmx|svm'

If the output contains vmx (Intel) or svm (AMD), your CPU supports virtualization.

Optional: Verify with cpu-checker

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y cpu-checker
kvm-ok

You should see “/dev/kvm exists” and “KVM acceleration can be used”.
If no virtualization support is reported, enable it in your BIOS/UEFI and reboot into Ubuntu.

Install KVM, QEMU, libvirt, and networking tools

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients bridge-utils virtinst

This installs the KVM hypervisor, QEMU, the libvirt daemon, and utilities for creating and managing virtual machines.

Enable and start the libvirt daemon

sudo systemctl enable --now libvirtd
sudo systemctl status libvirtd

The status should show the service as active (running) with no errors.

Add your user to the required groups

sudo adduser $USER kvm
sudo adduser $USER libvirt

Log out and log back in (or reboot) for the new group memberships to take effect.

Optional: Install a graphical interface (Virt‑Manager)

sudo apt install -y virt-manager

• Launch from the app menu (“Virtual Machine Manager”) or run virt-manager in a terminal.
• Click Create a new virtual machine, select your ISO, configure RAM/CPU/disk, and finish the wizard.

Optional: Install GNOME Boxes

sudo apt-get install -y gnome-boxes

• Open GNOME Boxes from the app menu.
• Click the + button in the top‑left corner to create a new VM from an ISO file or download a ready‑to‑run guest OS.