VirtualBox Download: How to Run Multiple Operating Systems on Your PC
Have you ever wanted to try a new operating system without changing your current one? Or test your applications on different platforms without buying multiple devices? Or run multiple operating systems simultaneously on the same machine? If so, you might want to consider using VirtualBox.
VirtualBox is a free and open-source virtualization software that allows you to create and run virtual machines on your PC. A virtual machine is an isolated environment that emulates a separate physical computer. You can install any operating system on a virtual machine and use it as if it was a real computer.
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In this article, we will explain what are some of the features and benefits of using VirtualBox, how it compares to other virtualization tools, and how to download and install it on your Windows, Mac, or Linux PC.
Features of VirtualBox
VirtualBox is a powerful and versatile virtualization software that offers many features for both personal and professional use. Some of the main features of VirtualBox are:
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Cross-platform compatibility: VirtualBox can run on Windows, Linux, Mac, and Solaris hosts and support a wide range of guest operating systems, including Windows, Linux, BSD, Solaris, OS/2, and OpenBSD.
Easy to use: VirtualBox has a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) and a command-line interface (CLI) that make it easy to create and manage virtual machines. You can also use pre-built virtual machines for developers from Oracle Tech Network or other sources.
Low resource consumption: VirtualBox is designed to be efficient and lightweight, using minimal resources on your host machine. You can adjust the settings of your virtual machines to optimize their performance and resource usage.
Data encryption: VirtualBox supports full encryption of your virtual machines, ensuring that your data is protected from unauthorized access. You can also use TPM 2.0 virtual security devices for enhanced security.
Snapshotting: VirtualBox allows you to take snapshots of your virtual machines at any point in time, which you can restore later if needed. This is useful for testing, debugging, or backup purposes.
3D graphics support: VirtualBox supports DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.3 graphics in your virtual machines, allowing you to run 3D applications and games with high quality.
Kubernetes and containers support: VirtualBox enables you to deploy Kubernetes clusters and containers on your virtual machines, facilitating DevOps processes and cloud-native development.
Oracle Cloud Integration: VirtualBox integrates with Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), allowing you to easily migrate your virtual machines to the cloud or create new ones from OCI images.
Benefits of Using VirtualBox
Using VirtualBox can provide many benefits for different scenarios and use cases. Some of the benefits of using VirtualBox are:
Reducing complexity and cost: By using VirtualBox, you can reduce the number of required systems and configurations in your environment, saving space, power, and money. You can also support legacy applications on new hardware or provide remote workers secure access to restricted applications without rearchitecting them.
Increase developer productivity: Developers can use VirtualBox to deliver code faster by testing applications on different operating systems and versions using the same desktop they use for development. They can also automate virtual machine creation and deployment to the cloud using tools like Vagrant or Terraform.
Learning cybersecurity: Students and professionals can use VirtualBox to learn cybersecurity skills by creating sandboxed environments where they can practice hacking or defending techniques without affecting their real systems or networks.
< - Experimenting with different operating systems: Hobbyists and enthusiasts can use VirtualBox to explore different operating systems and learn new skills without risking their main system. They can also customize their virtual machines to suit their preferences and needs.
Alternatives to VirtualBox
VirtualBox is not the only virtualization software available in the market. There are other alternatives that you can consider depending on your requirements and budget. Some of the popular alternatives to VirtualBox are:
Name
Description
Price
VMware Workstation
A professional-grade virtualization software that supports Windows, Linux, and Mac hosts and guests. It offers advanced features such as snapshots, cloning, shared folders, drag and drop, and seamless mode.
$249 for a perpetual license or $149 for an upgrade.
Parallels Desktop
A virtualization software designed for Mac users who want to run Windows and other operating systems on their Mac. It offers features such as Coherence mode, Touch Bar support, and integration with macOS.
$79.99 per year for a subscription or $99.99 for a perpetual license.
Hyper-V
A virtualization software built into Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions that allows you to create and run virtual machines on your PC. It supports Windows and Linux guests and offers features such as checkpoints, dynamic memory, and virtual switches.
Free with Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise.
KVM
A virtualization software based on Linux that allows you to run multiple virtual machines on a Linux host. It supports various guest operating systems and offers features such as live migration, memory ballooning, and device passthrough.
Free and open-source.
How to Download and Install VirtualBox
If you want to try VirtualBox on your PC, you can download and install it easily by following these steps:
Go to the and click on the Download VirtualBox button.
Select the version of VirtualBox that matches your host operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux, or Solaris) and click on the link to download it.
Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions on the screen to install VirtualBox on your PC.
Optionally, you can also download and install the VirtualBox Extension Pack, which adds some additional features such as USB 3.0 support, webcam passthrough, disk encryption, etc.
Once VirtualBox is installed, you can launch it from your Start menu or Applications folder and start creating and running virtual machines.
Conclusion
VirtualBox is a free and open-source virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on your PC. It has many features and benefits for different scenarios and use cases. It is also easy to download and install on your Windows, Mac, or Linux PC. If you are looking for a simple and powerful way to create and run virtual machines on your PC, you should give VirtualBox a try.
FAQs
What are the minimum requirements to run VirtualBox?
To run VirtualBox, you need a PC with at least 4 GB of RAM, 20 GB of free disk space, a 64-bit processor with hardware virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V), and a supported host operating system (Windows, Linux, Mac, or Solaris).
How do I create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox?
To create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox, you need to follow these steps:
Click on the New button in the VirtualBox Manager window.
Type a name for your virtual machine, select the type and version of the guest operating system you want to install, and click Next.
Select the amount of memory (RAM) you want to allocate to your virtual machine and click Next.
Select whether you want to create a new virtual hard disk or use an existing one and click Next.
Select the type of virtual hard disk file you want to create (VDI, VHD, or VMDK) and click Next.
Select whether you want to create a dynamically allocated or fixed size virtual hard disk and click Next.
Select the location and size of your virtual hard disk file and click Create.
Your new virtual machine will be created and ready to use.
How do I install an operating system on a virtual machine in VirtualBox?
To install an operating system on a virtual machine in VirtualBox, you need to follow these steps:
Select your virtual machine in the VirtualBox Manager window and click on the Settings button.
Go to the Storage section and click on the Empty slot under the Controller: IDE or SATA.
Click on the disk icon next to the Optical Drive dropdown menu and select Choose a Disk File.
Browse and select the ISO file of the operating system you want to install and click Open.
Click OK to save the settings and close the window.
Start your virtual machine by clicking on the Start button.
Follow the instructions on the screen to install the operating system on your virtual machine.
How do I share files between my host and guest operating systems in VirtualBox?
To share files between your host and guest operating systems in VirtualBox, you need to follow these steps:
Install the VirtualBox Guest Additions on your guest operating system. You can do this by selecting Insert Guest Additions CD Image from the Devices menu of your virtual machine window and following the instructions on the screen.
Create a folder on your host operating system that you want to share with your guest operating system.
Select your virtual machine in the VirtualBox Manager window and click on the Settings button.
Go to the Shared Folders section and click on the Add button.
Select the folder you created on your host operating system and give it a name. You can also choose whether you want to make it read-only or auto-mount.
Click OK to save the settings and close the window.
Restart your virtual machine and access the shared folder from your guest operating system. The location of the shared folder may vary depending on your guest operating system, but it is usually under Network or My Computer.
How do I uninstall VirtualBox from my PC?
To uninstall VirtualBox from your PC, you need to follow these steps:
Shut down and delete any virtual machines you have created using VirtualBox.
Go to the Control Panel of your host operating system and select Programs and Features (Windows) or Applications (Mac).
Find and select Oracle VM VirtualBox from the list of installed programs and click on Uninstall (Windows) or Move to Trash (Mac).
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the uninstallation process.
Where can I find more information and support for VirtualBox?
If you want to learn more about VirtualBox or need help with any issues, you can visit these resources:
The , where you can find documentation, downloads, forums, blogs, and more.
The , where you can find detailed instructions and explanations for using VirtualBox.
The , where you can find FAQs, tutorials, tips, tricks, and more.
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