Version Matcher
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Enter your VirtualBox version and we'll find the exact ISO you need.
(Find yours: Help → About VirtualBox or run VBoxManage --version)
Downloads
30-Second Installation
Download the ISO
Grab the version that matches your VirtualBox installation. To find your version: Help → About VirtualBox (or run VBoxManage --version in terminal).
Mount it in your VM
Devices → Insert Guest Additions CD image is the preferred method. If that fails, use Devices → Optical Drives → Choose a disk file... and select the ISO you downloaded.
Run the installer
Windows: Run VBoxWindowsAdditions.exe (auto-starts or run from CD)
Linux: Install build-essential, dkms, and linux-headers first (see FAQ), then sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run. DKMS ensures modules auto-rebuild after kernel updates.
macOS guest: Run VBoxDarwinAdditions.pkg from the mounted ISO
Reboot (mandatory!)
You must reboot the guest VM — kernel modules won't load until you do. Clipboard, drag-and-drop, shared folders, and auto-resize all require the reboot. "It installed successfully but nothing works" almost always means you skipped this step.
Frequently Asked
VBoxGuestAdditions.iso (Windows: C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\; macOS/Linux: /opt/VirtualBox/).Common causes of failure:
• Distro repackaging: Linux distros (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, Solus) often exclude the ISO to save space. Install the separate package:
sudo apt install virtualbox-guest-additions-iso (Debian/Ubuntu) or equivalent.• CD drive occupied: If your OS installer ISO is still mounted, "Insert Guest Additions" fails with "Could not find the VirtualBox Guest Additions disk image file." Eject it first: Devices → Optical Drives → Remove disk.
• Custom/headless builds: Source compiles with
--disable-guest-additions which skips ISO generation entirely.• Corrupted/incomplete install: Antivirus deletion, permission issues, or partial installs can remove the ISO.
Solution: Use Devices → Optical Drives → Choose a disk file... and select an ISO downloaded from this site.
download.virtualbox.org, Oracle's official distribution server. Files are identical to those bundled with VirtualBox installations and match published SHA256 checksums.
VM Settings → General → Advanced → Shared Clipboard → Bidirectional (defaults Disabled).
Also check runtime: Devices → Shared Clipboard → Bidirectional.
Step 2: Reboot the guest — required for changes to take effect.
Step 3: Linux users — verify VBoxClient is running
Clipboard requires the VBoxClient daemon. Run manually to test:
VBoxClient --clipboardOr start all services:
VBoxClient-allFor persistence, add to
~/.xinitrc or your desktop's autostart.Step 4: Wayland users — try X11
Clipboard integration currently works best with an X11 session. Many modern distros (Fedora 40+, Ubuntu 22.04+) default to Wayland.
Fix: Log out → click gear icon at login → select "Xorg" or "X11" session.
Debian/Ubuntu:
sudo apt install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)Fedora:
sudo dnf install kernel-devel kernel-headers gcc make dkmsArch:
sudo pacman -S linux-headers base-devel dkmsWorked yesterday, broken today? (After kernel update)
Kernel updates require module rebuilds. DKMS should handle this automatically, but sometimes fails.
Quick fix — rebuild modules:
sudo /sbin/rcvboxadd quicksetup allFull fix — reinstall Guest Additions:
sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.runPro tip: After major kernel upgrades, always reboot and verify Guest Additions are working.
Linux users need:
sudo usermod -aG vboxsf $USER then logout/login.
VBoxDarwinAdditions.pkg, approve Oracle/VirtualBox in System Settings → Privacy & Security. Reboot required.
• Run as Administrator
• Temporarily disable antivirus (Windows Defender, Norton, etc. block VirtualBox drivers)
• Check
VBoxWindowsAdditions.log in %TEMP% for errors• If ISO missing from
C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\, antivirus may have quarantined itSecure Boot blocking drivers:
Secure Boot prevents unsigned driver installation. If install completes but features don't work:
• VM Settings → System → Enable EFI must be unchecked, OR
• Disable Secure Boot inside the guest's UEFI settings (press F2/DEL during boot)
Still broken after install? Reboot the VM — kernel drivers don't load until restart.
3D only works with: Guest Additions installed + Extension Pack installed (matching VirtualBox version) + host GPU with working drivers. Missing any = black screen or crashes.
Video Memory settings:
• Set slider to 128 MB minimum (256 MB max in GUI; higher via
VBoxManage)• Windows 11 is demanding — max out at 256 MB even with 3D off
Graphics Controller by guest OS:
• VBoxSVGA — Windows 7+ (best compatibility)
• VMSVGA — Linux guests
• VBoxVGA — Legacy only (Windows XP/Vista, Solaris, OS/2)
Quick fix for black screen:
• VM Settings → Display → Uncheck "Enable 3D Acceleration"
• If already stuck: boot in safe mode, uninstall Guest Additions, disable 3D, then reinstall GA
Note: Guest Additions install the VBoxSVGA/VMSVGA 3D drivers. Without them, 3D checkbox may be available but won't function—post-install black screens usually mean driver/GPU mismatch.
Extension Pack Downloads
Extension Packs add USB 2.0/3.0 support, VirtualBox RDP, disk encryption, and more. Version must match your VirtualBox installation exactly.
Installation
Download the Extension Pack
Get the version that exactly matches your VirtualBox version. Check your version: Help → About VirtualBox.
Install via GUI
File → Preferences → Extensions → Click the "+" button → Select the downloaded .vbox-extpack file → Accept the license.
Or install via command line
VBoxManage extpack install [filename].vbox-extpack
Filename patterns: Extension Pack filenames vary by version:
• 7.1.x and newer: Oracle_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-7.1.10.vbox-extpack
• 7.0.x and older: Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-7.0.22.vbox-extpack
• 6.1.x and older: Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-6.1.50.vbox-extpack
Replace [filename] with the actual downloaded file name. The filename must match exactly (including underscores and hyphens).
Frequently Asked
• USB 2.0/3.0 support: Connect USB devices (flash drives, printers, cameras, etc.) to your VMs
• VirtualBox RDP (VRDP): Remote desktop access to VMs over network (including localhost)
• Disk encryption: Encrypt virtual disk images for security
• NVMe support: Use NVMe virtual disk controllers for better performance
• PXE boot: Network boot support for VMs
• Host webcam passthrough: Use your host's webcam in guest VMs
Note: The base VirtualBox package works fine without it, but you'll need the Extension Pack for these advanced features.
This is because the Extension Pack modifies core VirtualBox components and requires exact binary compatibility. Always check your VirtualBox version via Help → About VirtualBox before downloading.
• Version mismatch: Extension Pack version doesn't match VirtualBox version (most common)
• Corrupted download: File didn't download completely — verify SHA256 hash matches
• Permission issues: On Linux/macOS, VirtualBox may need admin rights to install extensions
• Old Extension Pack still installed: Uninstall the old version first via File → Preferences → Extensions
Solution: Verify your VirtualBox version, download the matching Extension Pack, check the SHA256 hash, then try installing again. If it still fails, uninstall any existing Extension Pack first.
• Extension Pack installed? USB 2.0/3.0 requires the Extension Pack
• USB controller enabled? VM Settings → USB → Enable USB Controller (select USB 2.0 or 3.0)
• Device filters: Add USB device filters in VM Settings → USB → Click the "+" icon to add devices
• Host OS permissions: On Linux, you may need to add your user to the
vboxusers group: sudo usermod -aG vboxusers $USER (log out and back in)• Device already in use: Eject the device from the host OS first
Note: USB 1.1 works without Extension Pack, but USB 2.0/3.0 requires it.
Command line: Run
VBoxManage list extpacks — it will show the installed Extension Pack with version details.Feature test: Try adding a USB 2.0 or 3.0 controller to a VM. If the option is available (not grayed out), the Extension Pack is installed.
Commercial/enterprise use requires a license from Oracle. If you're using VirtualBox in a business, organization, or for-profit environment, you must purchase a license. See Oracle's licensing FAQ for details.
Update: Uninstall the old version first, then install the new one. VirtualBox doesn't auto-update Extension Packs. Always match the new Extension Pack version to your VirtualBox version.
Command line uninstall:
VBoxManage extpack uninstall "Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack"
• Extension Pack must be installed (VRDP requires it)
• Enable VRDP in VM Settings → Display → Remote Display → Enable Server
• Set a port (default 3389) and authentication method
Connection: Use an RDP client (Windows: built-in Remote Desktop; macOS/Linux:
rdesktop or remmina) to connect to localhost:PORT (or your host's IP if accessing remotely).Security note: VRDP without authentication is insecure. Always enable authentication for remote access.