VirtualBox ¶

VirtualBox is a popular free virtualization software.

• Download VirtualBox

➡️ I strongly advise using version 7+, because, as far as I'm concerned, I have fewer problems in the newer version.

• ✨ You can create shared folders between host and VM
• ✨ You can copy/paste to/from the VM
• 🏪 You can take snapshots
• 🪲 There are many bugs/the UX is pretty bad
• 🔥 You can configure many things
• 👎 Lack of ways to import/export VMs from/to VMWare

VB Guest Additions ¶

You may need to install Virtual Box Guest Additions later

• Start the machine
• Select Device > Insert Guest Additions CD...
• Install the software on the CD
• Restart

VB Extension pack ¶

You may need to install Virtual Box Extension pack later

• Help > About Virtual Box to find your version
• Download Virtual Box Extension pack (version/xxx.vbox-extpack)
• File > Tools > Extension Pack Manager > Install

CTRL+ALT+DEL ¶

• In the menubar: Input > Keyboard > Insert CTRL-ALT-DEL.
• Use the shortcut: HOST + DEL

Take a snapshot ¶

Click on the menu icon next to your VM, and select "Snapshot".

➡️ To avoid problems, you should do it when the VM is off.

➡️ If the machine is started, you can also use the menu Machine > Take Snapshot... for the menubar.

Shared clipboard/folder ¶

Right-click on a machine, and open Settings.

• In General > Advanced, you can enable the bidirectional clipboard
• In Shared folders, you can create shared folders

➡️ On Windows VMs, you need to install VB Guest Additions.

Resize the screen to fit yours ¶

• In the menubar: View > Seamless mode.
• Use the shortcut: HOST + L

➡️ For Windows VMs, you need to install VB Guest Additions.

VBoxManage ¶

You can use VBoxManage to control VirtualBox from the command line. On Windows, use CMD and not PowerShell.

# list hard drives
$ "C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\VBoxManage" list hdds

Install Windows Server ISO ¶

• Click on new, select the ISO
• Select unattended
• Start the machine
• Process as usual with the setup...
• Power off the machine
• Remove CD (Settings>Storage>CD, the disk icon on the right)

Go to Tools > Network. Create or select an adapter.

• DHCP server must be disabled
• Take note of the gateway address (for later, ex: X.X.X.1)

On your VM with your VM

• Click on Settings > Network
• Go to the "Adapter2" tab
• Enable the adapter
• Select "Host-only adapter"
• Select your adapter

Random notes ¶

➡️ If the VM crashes often, try reducing the size of the screen. It may be related to your computer overheating and closing it.

➡️ The NAT adapter can mess with some things like when adding a child domain. You should disable it (if applicable/temporarily).

Bug: no automatic mouse integration ¶

By default, you can freely use your mouse between your host and your virtual machine. But, I have a bug 🪲 when restarting a machine closed using "save instance state" in which my mouse is not detected anymore.

➡️ A "patch" is to lock your session before closing the VM.

Bug: bidirectional clipboard not working ¶

➡️ Try restarting the VM.