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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. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does VirtualBox require the Extension Pack?
No. The core virtualization software provides basic functionality without the Extension Pack, while some advanced capabilities require the separate package. These include USB 2.0/3.0 support, VRDP, and disk encryption.
Why is VirtualBox running slowly?
Virtual machine performance depends heavily on the RAM, CPU resources, and storage available to both the host and guest systems. Insufficient memory can cause a guest operating system to malfunction, and resource-intensive virtual machines may require additional CPU cores, RAM, and disk space to operate smoothly.
Does VirtualBox support 3D graphics acceleration?
Yes, but 3D graphics performance is limited compared with native hardware and some commercial virtualization solutions. The latest release also includes VMSVGA 3D performance improvements, although graphics-intensive workloads may still perform differently from running directly on physical hardware.
What is the difference between VirtualBox and VMware Workstation Pro?
Both are desktop virtualization platforms for running guest operating systems on a host computer. VirtualBox is free and open source with broad host and guest OS support, whereas VMware Workstation Pro offers a more polished desktop virtualization experience and additional professional features.
What’s New in VirtualBox 7.2.16
Release Date 2026-08-18
- GUI: Updated Catalan translations
- GUI: Fixed OVF import warning visibility
- GUI: Added graceful handling of inaccessible VMs
- Graphics: VMSVGA 3D performance improvements
- Video Recording: Fixed a hang when stopping recording after a large number of display updates
- Host: OpenSSL 4.0 build fixes
- Linux Host: Support for FRED
- Linux Host and Guest: Improvements in shared clipboard handling in Wayland
- Linux Guest: Fixed support for RHEL 9.8 kernels
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.
