VirtualBox Guest Utils Installation and Update¶

The additional guest utilities are used to ensure the full performance of the virtual machine. If you update your virtual GNU/Linux system but not the guest utilities, the updated kernel modules will not support the current guest utilities, which will result in glitches and a slow machine. To make them reusable, you need to update them manually.

Installing Guest Utilities¶

The following installation steps are based on the official documentation, see there for more information.

1. Add virtual CD additional guest utilities

   Add the virtual CD from the device menu in the user interface of the virtual machine.

   Hint

   In Oracle Virtual Box Tips and Tricks section VM view is described how to change the view and make the user interface visible.

   • Open the user interface, click on Devices and chose Insert Guest Additions CD image….

   • After that, in the linux dock, a CD icon will be shown.

   Demo

2. Run CD application

   Change to the directory (most /media/user/<device>) of your mounted CD and execute the VBoxLinuxAdditions in the terminal:

   sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
   

   Demo

3. Remove CD

   Unmount the cd with the terminal or file explorer to get sure the current Additional Utils are in use.

   Demo

Updating Guest Utils¶

As described in the official documentation, section 4.2.2.4. Updating the GNU/Linux Guest Additions, you can use the same procedure as for installing.