How To Run Ubuntu in Full Screen Mode on Hyper-V

Running an Ubuntu virtual machine (VM) on Hyper-V can be a great way to utilize the power of virtualization. However, one common issue that users face is running the VM in full-screen mode. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to run Ubuntu in full screen mode on Hyper-V.

Updating the GRUB Configuration

The first step in this process is to update the GRUB configuration. GRUB, the GRand Unified Bootloader, is the default bootloader for most Linux distributions, including Ubuntu. The GRUB configuration file controls various settings related to booting the system.

Here’s how to update the GRUB configuration:

1. Open the Terminal in Ubuntu. You can do this by searching for ‘Terminal’ in the Ubuntu dashboard or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.
2. Edit the /etc/default/grub file using a text editor. You can use the built-in nano text editor by typing sudo nano /etc/default/grub in the Terminal.
3. Look for the line starting with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT. This line controls the default parameters passed to the Linux kernel at boot time.
4. Add the parameter video=hyperv_fb:1920x1080 to the end of the line, inside the quotes. Replace 1920x1080 with your desired screen resolution. This parameter tells the Linux kernel to use a framebuffer device for the Hyper-V video output, with the specified resolution.
5. Save the file and exit the text editor. If you’re using nano, you can do this by pressing Ctrl+X, then Y to confirm saving changes, and finally Enter to confirm the file name.
6. Run the command sudo update-grub to update the GRUB configuration. This command generates a new GRUB configuration file based on the settings in /etc/default/grub.
7. Reboot your Ubuntu VM using sudo reboot.

Installing Linux Integration Services

The next step is to install the Linux Integration Services. These are a set of drivers and tools that improve the performance and usability of virtual machines running Linux on Hyper-V.

1. Open the Terminal in Ubuntu.
2. Run the command sudo apt-get install linux-tools-3.11.0-15-generic. This command installs the generic Linux tools for the 3.11.0-15 kernel. Replace 3.11.0-15 with your kernel version if it’s different. You can find your kernel version by running uname -r.
3. Run the command sudo apt-get install hv-kvp-daemon-init. This command installs the Hyper-V Key-Value Pair (KVP) daemon, which provides a way for the host and guest operating systems to exchange data.
4. Reboot your Ubuntu VM using sudo reboot.

Removing the RemoteFX Video Card

If the above steps don’t work, it’s possible that the RemoteFX video card is interfering with the display settings. Here’s how to remove it:

1. Turn off your Ubuntu VM in Hyper-V Manager.
2. Right-click on the VM and select “Settings”.
3. In the “Hardware” section, if there is a “3D RemoteFX Graphics Card”, click on it and then click “Remove”.
4. Click “OK” to save the changes.
5. Start your Ubuntu VM again.

Conclusion

Running Ubuntu in full screen mode on Hyper-V can be a bit tricky, but with the right configuration changes, it’s definitely possible. Remember to replace the resolution in the video=hyperv_fb parameter with your actual screen resolution, and to replace the kernel version in the linux-tools package name with your actual kernel version.

If you’re still having trouble, it may be due to other settings in Hyper-V or Ubuntu, or due to hardware limitations. In that case, you may need to seek assistance from the Ubuntu community or the Hyper-V community.

Remember to always make a backup of any configuration files before editing them, and to only install packages from trusted sources. Happy virtualizing!