VirtualBox

ApplicationOracle

Also called oracle vm virtualbox, vbox

OracleSystem

Free type-2 hypervisor from Oracle. Guest Additions are a separate ISO. It is not VMware.

What you need to know

VirtualBox is Oracle's free hypervisor. Guest Additions are a separate ISO.

VirtualBox.exe runs guests. Guest Additions are not inside the first installer. VMware is a different product.

What is it?: Free type-2 hypervisor
Still current?: Yes, see Current status
Official download?: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If the guest mouse is stuck, I mount Guest Additions, not VMware Tools. VirtualBox.exe is not vmware.exe.

What is VirtualBox?

VirtualBox runs guest VMs on Windows. Guest Additions are a separate ISO you mount in the guest. VMware Tools will not substitute.

If you have never used it

If you want a free VM app, VirtualBox is Oracle's hypervisor. Install the platform package from virtualbox.org, then add Guest Additions inside the guest from a separate ISO. It is not VMware Workstation, and it is not Hyper-V Manager.

What is it used for?

Local VMs

Windows or Linux guests. This is not WSL and not a dual-boot.

Guest Additions ISO

Mouse integration and display. Mount the Additions ISO. Do not install VMware Tools here.

Extension Pack extras

Optional USB and RDP extras under Oracle's Extension Pack license. The base app is still GPL.

Who is it for?

People who want a free hypervisor
Classes that assign VirtualBox, not VMware
Users importing an .ova they were told is "for VirtualBox"

Current status

VirtualBox (2007) is a current free type-2 hypervisor from Oracle. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.

How old is it?

Innotek shipped VirtualBox, Sun bought it, Oracle still ships it. The 2007 product is the same line. Extension Pack licensing changed over time. Read Oracle's current PUEL if you need USB 2/3 extras.

Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

VirtualBox platform

Extension Pack (optional, PUEL)

System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

Minimum

Minimum system requirements
Operating system	A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor
RAM	Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.

Resource profile

CPU demand: Follows what you open inside the app
RAM demand: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

Installed processes
VirtualBox.exe	Main Windows executable
VBoxSVC.exe	Service process
VBoxHeadless.exe	Headless VM

Startup components

VBoxSVC starts when you open VirtualBox or a VM. It is not a required Startup Apps checkbox.

File locations

Common VirtualBox locations
Typical install	C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\

File formats

VBOXVDIVMDKOVA

Common problems

Forgot Guest Additions

Poor video and a captured mouse. Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image. Not VMware Tools.

Hyper-V or WSL 2 already running

VirtualBox may fall back or fail until you sort Windows hypervisor settings.

Getting unstuck

Install only from virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

The platform package plus, if you need it, the Extension Pack from Oracle. Skip "VirtualBox full" forums.

Insert Guest Additions from the Devices menu

That ISO is part of VirtualBox, not a second download from a random host.

If VMs will not start, read the VBox.log in the VM folder

Hypervisor conflicts show there. Do not delete VBoxSVC.exe.

Alternatives

VMware Workstation is the commercial sibling. Hyper-V is in-box on Pro. WSL is a Linux environment, not a Windows guest desktop.

Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

Official contacts
Download	www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads Official installer or vendor page
Help	www.virtualbox.org/manual/ Vendor support
Official site	www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads Start here, not a random exe host

Related hardware

Needs CPU virtualization in firmware and RAM for the guest. Same class of host as any type-2 hypervisor.

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

VirtualBox official site · Vendor product page
VirtualBox help · Vendor support
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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