▷ Install guest additions virtualbox for virtual machines

What are Guest Additions VirtualBox

These toolkits are natively available in VirtualBox for installation on virtual machines. Thanks to them we will be able to provide advanced functionalities for the interaction between the host system and the virtualized system. Without a doubt, their characteristics will make life easier if we install them.

Support for shared folders: with these tools we can configure shared folders for accessing files on the host machine from the virtual machine. It is a process by which we save ourselves from configuring two computers connected through the network. Shared clipboard: another of the great windows to install these tools is that we can copy and paste files from the virtual machine to the host and vice versa directly. Drag and drop function: since the clipboards are connected, we can also drag elements from one system to another as if they were normal directories. Integrated mouse: we can move the mouse pointer in an integrated way between both machines without using keyboard shortcuts to enter and exit the virtual machine. 3D Acceleration: will provide the guest system with 2D 3D acceleration features and the possibility of modifying the screen resolution to our liking. While it is true that the 3D function is still somewhat limited. Starting applications: we can start applications from the physical system to the virtual system.

Install Guest Additions in Windows 10

To install this tool pack in Windows 10 or in any Windows operating system we will do the following:

Located on the window of our virtual machine click on the option of the toolbar " Devices " Click on " Insert CD image of the Guest Additions "

Now we wait for a notification to appear at the bottom of our virtual system. And click on this

Then select " Run VBoxWindowsAdditions.exe "

If this option does not appear, we will have to go to the file explorer and open the contents of the virtual CD. Then we must run the file named " amd64 " if it is a 64-bit system or " x86 " if it is 32-bit.

This will start the installation wizard. Click on “ Next ” twice in a row After selecting which options we want to install, click on “ Install ”

Once the process is complete, we will have to restart the virtual machine for Guest Additions VirtualBox to apply the changes. At this time we will notice a considerable performance increase in the virtual machine.

Install Guest Additions VirtualBox on Ubuntu

This process will be practically the same for any Linux distribution that has a graphical interface. Also, the process is similar to that of Windows.

We start in the same way, click on " devices " and choose the option " Insert CD image of the Guest Additions ". A system warning appears to run these tools.

It will ask us for root permissions to proceed with the installation

The installation process will be monitored by the Ubuntu terminal. In addition, it will warn us that the changes will not be applied until the system restarts

Press Enter to complete the installation, and restart the system.

We will already have the tools installed in a virtual Linux system. As in the case of Windows, we will notice a performance increase and all the functionalities that Guest Additions VirtualBox gives.

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Did you know this way to improve the performance of virtual machines? We hope this article has been useful to you.