Computer In Your Computer: How To Use VirtualBox

Learn to use VirtualBox. Get virtual computers up and running inside your computer, without having to buy any new hardware.

With “Computer Inside Your Computer: How to Use VirtualBox” you’ll learn to master this free virtualization software and get virtual computers working inside your computer.

You’ve heard a lot about Linux and you’d love to try it out, but you don’t know enough to take the plunge and install it alongside Windows – maybe you’re worried you’ll wipe all your files off in the process. Besides, you’d like to have another computer handy so that you can look something up if you get stuck, but you don’t have another computer.

Good thing VirtualBox exists. With it you gain the power to conjure virtual computers out of thin air. They don’t take up space on your desk, yet they work just like a real computer does. They can be conjured up and removed with little more than a few clicks.

Intrigued? Download the latest manual from MakeUseOf.com now. Featuring step-by-step explanations as well as picture tutorials, this manual makes using VirtualBox easy.

This free guide will teach you how to:

Build and manage virtual machines
Get Windows XP working in VirtualBox
Install Windows 7 in a Virtual Machine
Try out Ubuntu Linux in a VirtualMachine
Install Guest Additions in VirtualBox
Access files on your host machine in a Virtual Machine

Enjoy and share!

How To Download

Option 1: Very easy! Share this page on Facebook, Twitter, or Google Plus. You need to use the buttons above to share and your download link will be revealed right below! That would also help us spread the word. Thank you!

Option 2: Subscribe to MakeUseOf Newsletter and get unlock password to our downloads. Enter the password below to download the file. (Already subscriber? Re-enter your email in the newsletter subscription form to retrieve the password).

Check out other cool MakeUseOf Guides.

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Reader Feedback

Couture Marc

Server doesn’t respond to download requests. Bummer.

Stilatus

Hello Marc,
pls install guest additions or go visit the website Oracle Virtual box for updates
If you use USB you need this anyway

Ann
widgetsdaddy

It downloads fine. It’s password protected. The password is makeuseof.

Me

Thank You

http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

Are you still having issues with downloading. The downloads should work without any issues now.
If you’re having problems with internet Explorer I suggest trying with Chrome or Firefox.
Let me know

Aibek

mishasin

@Couture Marc: The same here.
Jean Chicoine

I’m already on Linux. I’ve been on Linux for almost 4 years now. Ubuntu for the first 2 years, Mint since. No way I’m going back to Windows, no. As for VirtualBox, I’ve been using it to install and explore other Linux distributions.
mishasin

It worked for me, just downloaded it. Thanks MakeUseOf.
Best regards

Paresh Jogi

But how?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Paul-Joseph/100000615672314 Paul Joseph

Hi Paresh,

I had trouble with Chrome.

It worked with Opera. (I’m using Ubuntu [Linux])

Nyakwarosuta

Awesome people. God bless
JBNygren

I just downloaded this. When I started, there were 1220 downloads. When I finished, it was up to 1292. I think the server might be a little busy right now!
fuller9box

I am already a user of Linux. Thanks for the down load, it will enable me to take using Linux – to the next level. Thanks again.
Demonnforu

really thanks makeuseof
Demonnforu

really thanks makeuseof
Danarossphoto

This is great. Thank you. I use Virtual Box but I look forward to learning a few new tricks and configuration possibilities.
John

Downloaded with no problems.
Ptl4

not able to download. keeps telling me the password is wrong.
D Esposito

Been a Linux user for 6 years. Virtualbox user for 3+. BTW, it’s not just for Linux you know. I use Virtualbox on my Linux machines with various flavors of Windows to run the occasional legacy software for work when I don’t have an open source alternative.
Charles Mccain

Virtual Computing has been around for some twenty years (VPC anyone?), but now it’s really hitting big with Cloud and Desktop Virtualization. This is where it’s going.
Fire_dragon_usa

Nice, I want to said thank for the good work you do. I like your publications for a good explanation and visualization in your instructives articles.

Thank you again for all your hard work….

Alejandro (Fire_Dragon)
Orion2008

IT WON`T DOWNLOAD FOR ME EITHER.

http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

please a couple of times, should work

Gekyme

You have to enter the password to get it.. worked fine for me
gekyme

You have to enter password to get the file worked fine for me
slopoke11

tried this all day. won’t load. wish was easy like used to. messing with facebook sucks. just want guide. been here for years.

http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

I sent the guide to your email address in case you’re still not able to get it

Joanisse5

Like hartford3 i’m not able to dld this guide.Can you also send me the guide via my email address? Thanks.
Van

http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

Hi Van,

Could you please tell us what error messages are using. Are you able to click on the download link after entering the password?
If not please right click on the page (after the DOWNLOAD LINK text is shown) and choose the option to display we page code.
Please copy paste that code into a blank text (notepad) file and send it to us.

Aibek
p.s. meanwhile, i am sending you the guide via email

Joanisse5

Hi Aibeck,
I’ve reinstalled Adobe Acrobat Reader again,and this time the reader started to dld the PDF file.
However,the file is over 8 mb and with our dialup connection this would take an hour to dld if I used
Free Download Manager (as I used to a year ago,where I could also Resume the dld later).But for some reason
your site decided, this can only be done via Adobe Reader,which appears to me to be twice as slow! I will make
a comparison of both soon to satisfy my curiosity.Thanks for emailing me the guide.
Van

Van

Hi Aibek,
As promised.I found time to compare downloading time for the 8.3 mb Virtual Box package that you sent me in an email.By using Free Download Manager it took 14 minutes,compared to 42 minutes via Adobe Reader directly from Makeuseof! Now you can appreciate why i’m not happy with the changes your site as made in this regard.Thanks for your help.
Van

http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

Hey Van,

thanks for the followup.
Could you tell me what’s your internet connection speed.
Are you on dial up?

Aibek

Van

I’m on a Dialup connection and the best speed I can hope for is 31.2 KBps.
Van
http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

Hey Van,

that’s the main reason why it takes so long.
Unfortunately we can’t do anything to make the downloads faster for you
Aibek

tomp5331

Again, I just get the little box and cant save it. Doesn’t download, just brings up a nonsavable box with it in there.
Ianbeattie12

downloaded no problem thanks
ann

IT4S REALLY REALLY FANTASTIC PROGRAM

I M ALREADY USING IT BUT THANKS A LOT FOR THE GUIDE

ANN STILATUS
schnook

Entered password hit enter timed out, entered password hit submit went through real quick???
Love ya work keep it up
Regards
Valeptb

Is not working the download.
I’m already regestred with my email and after enter password the download don’t start.
Missyandannie

Please tell me how to download the PDF when it wond save?

http://ipadboardgames.org James Bruce

Please expand on your issue. If you’re internet explorer, there is a known problem with the guide showing in a small window, right click and select “open in new tab” on the “download it now” link to solve that. Otherwise, teh PDF should download just fine.

Missyandannie

Please tell me how to download the PDF when it wond save?
http://www.facebook.com/FUNNYMANBURTON Cash Bank

yeah
http://www.facebook.com/FUNNYMANBURTON Cash Bank

yeah
Tracker57

i just downloaded “How To Use VirtualBox”. I have read your news letter and used your Guides for years. You always provide top notch product and information. Make_Use_Of is a marvelous resource. Thank You very much.
btw; Ptl4, Orion2008, tomp5331, slopoke11 – Take a deep breath, Read The Instructions, Really Read The Instructions, then try to download again. Just like everything Make Use Of offers: It works the first time. Everytime.
Thanks Make_Use_Of

http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

thanks for the kind words

Alex Herrmann

I love me some Linux!! for me, it’s the other way around, Ubuntu as desktop, windblows in virtualbox, along with some other linux distros, I even had mac os x installed in virtualbox for a while
Alex Herrmann

I love me some Linux!! for me, it’s the other way around, Ubuntu as desktop, windblows in virtualbox, along with some other linux distros, I even had mac os x installed in virtualbox for a while
Alex Herrmann

I love me some Linux!! for me, it’s the other way around, Ubuntu as desktop, windblows in virtualbox, along with some other linux distros, I even had mac os x installed in virtualbox for a while
http://motorolatriumph.info Rock That

I love Virtual Box – Funny, I just installed it today and was thinking to myself – it would be cool if MakeUseOf had a manual for this, and what do you know, my wish came true in my inbox. weird…..
Anonymous

this is the best guide, loved it. Cant wait to try it
Patmisener

Can’t download. I just get small box.

muotechguy

Please, read the other comments. If the guide is showing in a small box, it’s because you’re using Internet Explorer.

Robbie5oh2000

the submit button will not work!! Cannot download! very frustrating!!!!
John Alldis

Flogging thing will not DOWNLOAD???? DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME
Apvnovais

The download still does not work.
The MakeUseOf will solve the problem for people like me who can not download or we can just get frustrated and give up?

http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

Hey there,

Thanks for the feedback.
What browser are you using? Did you try any other browse other than Internet Explorer.

Aibek
p.s. meanwhile, I have sent you the guide via email

Valeptb

Done. In another browser, Chromium 13.0.782.
Billy Nom

Worked perfectly for me
Uthea2011

if they are free why we got to send for a f——- pasword server dont work anyhow the password is always makeuseof

http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

Are you still having issues downloading the guide? If you’re using Internet Explorer please try using Firefox or Chrome. if that doesn’t work just let me know here and I will send you the guide via email. Though it would be nice if we figured it out why it doesn’t work for you.

Imvm

The password is ‘ makeuseof ‘
MakeUseOf Subscriber

Who is the idiot that set this download up????

The download is in the popup window.

FIRE the IDIOT!

http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

What’s wrong with the download being in the popup window? Are you find instructions unclear somewhere.

Aibek (the guy who planned the download system)
muotechguy

You’re using Internet Explorer. Use a better browser, or read the comments for the solution as I’ve already posted many times.

Doru Botoiu

tried downloding 4 or 6 times, in IE, Chrome, Safari… keeps telling me the password is wrong……………………..

http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

are you sure that you enteres the password makeuseof (lower case). Could you please send us a screenshot of what you see.
My email is aibek[at]makeuseof[dot]com

Aibek

http://www.makeuseof.com/answers Tina

Ariebitski,

what are the issues you have? Why doesn’t downloading work?
http://www.makeuseof.com/ Aibek

Hey there,

thanks for the input, very good suggestion indeed.
I will pass this to Justin who is in charge of the guides here at MUO.
Aibek
http://www.facebook.com/siddu.gollapally Siddu Gollapally

hia sir small problems sharing folder not show me my group account
http://www.successidperson.blogspot.com Ganesh Kadam

Fantastic!! work makeuseof. Really thanks!! thanks!! thanks!! thanks!! thanks!!…………………………….thanks!!!!!!!
Augustino Tony

God bless uuuuuuu
Charles Nnamchi

As a beginer I am thinking that I need explantion on the workability of App,

http://www.makeuseof.com/answers Tina

Charles, hopefully this guide will be helpful. We would love to hear your feedback!

dylan

this is terrible
Link

I really am lost when it comes to using Linux. Windows has made a very lazy and GUI dependent individual. I need to use the command line again and to move around the tree structure of Linux. At the moment I am using Kubuntu. The latest release. I am using the wubi program to run Kubuntu.
I really want to be able to use Linux in a capable manner and then I could sometime in the future say goodbye to Windows completely!
Agent047

Thanks a ton !!!
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