
That means no additional proprietary code or binary blobs are loaded on your system These additional features are licensed under the GPL and sit in the kernel tree. The first fruits of their labor will appear in Linux 4.16. Work to add features in VirtualBox Guest Additions to the Linux kernel is underway by kernel developers. You just launch your virtual machine, let it load, go to ‘Devices’ > ‘Insert Guest Additions CD’ and then follow the on-screen prompts (Ubuntu will show you a dialog asking you to ‘run’ the guest additions installer).Ī quick reboot is all it taken for most of these extra features, including screen resizing, shared folders and USB control, to start working.īut the lazy soul within me is stoked to hear that this process will soon be a thing of the past. Linux distributions like Ubuntu make it easy to install VirtualBox guest additions. This package bundles together device drivers, system utilities and kernel modules which allow the “guest” OS (the one being tested) to interact and/or integrate with the “host” OS (the one VirtualBox is running on). So, to get better performance and to enable features like folder sharing, seamless mode and shared clipboard, most of us currently install the VirtualBox Guest Additions package. Regardless of whether you boot up a live CD or an installed virtual machine, some key features don’t work ‘out of the box’. The biggest drawback to testing Linux distros in VirtualBox right now is a lack of integration. VirtualBox Guest Additions In the Linux Kernel Guest additions are coming to the Linux kernel. Soon you won’t need to install the VirtualBox Guest Additions package to get a fully integrated Linux experience with your host OS. VirtualBox makes it easy to try Linux distros without replacing your current operating system or engaging in a game of reboot leap frog.īut things are about to get even easier.


Sudo apt-get install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)Ĭlick on the Devices menu and select “Insert Guest Additions CD image”.VirtualBox is popular virtualization software Then, login to the system, open the terminal and install following dependency packages: sudo apt-get update

Execute the n file.įirst, start the Ubuntu 18.04 VM.

The features include, folder sharing, mouse pointer integration and shared clipboard between the host and the VM.įollowing are the steps to install VirtualBox Guest Additions on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Bionic Beaver: The VirtualBox Guest Additions package unlocks additional features in the virtual machines that are not enabled by default. This tutorial explains how to install VirtualBox Guest Additions on an Ubuntu 18.04 Virtual Machine.Īfter installing Ubuntu 18.04 on VirtualBox, next you need to install VirtualBox Guest Additions on the virtual machine. How to Install VirtualBox guest additions on Ubuntu 18.04
