VirtualBox, a versatile and open-source full virtualizer, supports a wide range of uses, from servers to desktops and embedded systems. Its power and flexibility make it suitable for both enterprise and home environments.
VirtualBox enables users to run multiple operating systems simultaneously for various use cases. It allows you to operate more than one OS at a time.
This way, software written for one operating system can run on another, such as Windows software on Linux or macOS, without needing to reboot.
Overcome hardware limitations by configuring virtual hardware for your guest operating systems. This means you can easily run older systems such as DOS or OS/2, even if your current computer's hardware is not natively supported.
Software vendors can use virtual machines to ship entire software configurations. For example, setting up a full mail server solution on a physical machine can be time-consuming.
Package intricate software setups into VirtualBox virtual machine appliances. Then, deploy complex services, such as a mail server, with the simplicity of an import.
To run VirtualBox on your machine, you need:
- Reasonably powerful x86 hardware. Any recent Intel or AMD processor should do.
- Memory. To ensure smooth virtualization, allocate sufficient RAM based on your guest operating system. You'll need enough memory for both your host OS to run comfortably and for each guest OS's minimum requirements. For example, running Windows 8.1 on a Windows 7 machine typically demands at least 2 GB of RAM for a positive experience. Be aware that guest operating systems may refuse to install or malfunction if they don't receive their required memory. Always factor in memory for both the guest and your host system.
- Hard disk space. Although VirtualBox itself is lightweight and requires only about 30 MB of disk space for a typical installation, virtual machines require significantly more disk space to store their virtual hard disks. Windows 8 installation needs a file that may expand to more than 10 GB.
- Ensure compatibility by running VirtualBox on a supported host operating system. We currently support Windows, various Linux distributions, macOS X, Solaris, and OpenSolaris. Always consult the user manual for your VirtualBox to confirm the exact supported versions.
- A supported guest operating system. In addition to the user manual (see below), up-to-date information is available at “Status: Guest OSes”.
VirtualBox – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Free and open-source virtualization software for running multiple operating systems on a single computer. | ✗ 3D graphics performance is limited compared to native hardware or some commercial virtualization solutions. |
| ✓ Supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Oracle Solaris, and other guest operating systems with broad compatibility. | ✗ Resource-intensive virtual machines require sufficient RAM, CPU cores, and storage for smooth performance. |
| ✓ Includes snapshots, shared folders, clipboard sharing, drag-and-drop, and VM cloning for easier testing and development. | ✗ Some advanced capabilities, such as USB 2.0/3.0 support, VRDP, and disk encryption, require the separate VirtualBox Extension Pack. |
| ✓ Allows importing and exporting virtual machines in OVF format, making migration between systems straightforward. | ✗ Beginners may find virtual machine configuration and networking options difficult to understand at first. |
| ✓ Regular updates add new hardware support, interface improvements, and virtualization enhancements. | ✗ Certain guest operating systems or hardware configurations may require additional tweaking to achieve optimal performance. |
What's New in VirtualBox 7.2.14
Release Date 2026-07-21
- VMM: Avoided querying/setting xcr0 for CPUs without the xsave feature when using Windows Hyper-V as the virtualization engine
- Windows installer: Added support for detecting the Visual C++ runtime via the servicing infrastructure
- Windows Host: Fixed clipboard handling of Unicode formats (
- Linux Host: Added initial support for kernel 7.2
- Linux Guest: Fixed support for updated RHEL 9.8 and 9.9 kernels
- UEFI: Fixed possible bug check and reboot of Windows 11 when updating Secure Boot DBX entries
- BIOS: Simplified build prerequisites; NASM 2.16 or later is now usable for everything
Official Homepage – https://www.virtualbox.org
Currently, Oracle VM VirtualBox runs on the following host operating systems:
- Windows hosts (64-bit):
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 10
- Windows 11 21H2
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2022
- Mac OS X hosts (64-bit):
- 10.15 (Catalina)
- 11 (Big Sur)
- 12 (Monterey)
Intel hardware is required.
Size: 170 MB
DOWNLOAD VirtualBox 7.2.14 for Windows
DOWNLOAD VirtualBox 7.2.14 Extension Pack
DOWNLOAD VirtualBox 7.2.14 for All OS
