If you’ve been following Oracle VirtualBox recently, then you’ve probably already heard that VirtualBox 5.0 was recently released with boat load of changes and new features.
It was released (a major one) with paravirtualization support for Windows and Linux guest machines, more hardware-assisted instruction sets for virtualization and nested paging, drag’n’drop support out of the box for Windows, Linux machines and more.
If you don’t know about VirtualBox, here’s a brief summary: It is a virtualization software that allows anyone to run multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux, Mac OSX and others) on a single host computer. These virtual machines (aka guest machines) run as if they were running on independent hardware uniquely cut-out for them.
We’re have discussed a lot about VirtualBox and showed you how to install it on Windows and Linux machines on this blog. It’s a great software, especially for students in Information Technology.
I have used VirtualBox since it was first launched and with every new release, new features get added, it gets more refined and stable and works better on the host systems. The host system can be a Windows, Linux or Mac OSX computer.
This new release comes with the following changes
- Disk image encryption
- VMs can now be started in separate mode. The VM process is started headless while the frontend runs as a separate process which can be terminated without stopping the VM.
- GUI: VM guest-content scaling support (including 3D acceleration)
- GUI: New User Interface settings page for customizing status-bar, menu-bar and guest-content scaling
- GUI: New Encryption settings tab for customizing encryption options for disk images
- GUI: HiDPI support including application icons and optional unscaled HiDPI output on Mac OS X (including 3D acceleration)
- GUI: Hotplugging support for SATA disks
- New, modular audio architecture for providing a better abstraction of the host audio backends
- Support for the NDIS6 networking framework on Windows (default on Vista and later)
Apart from the newly released features, old bugs and existing issues where also fixed. A long list of issues were fixed and shipped with this release. VirtualBox should now run more stable on Windows, Linux and Solaris hosts, improved HID LEDs synchronization for Mac and Windows hosts and a fix for a NAT issue that kept resetting and dropping all connections.
For more about this release, please check out VirtualBox ChangeLog page here.
To install VirtualBox on Windows machine, go and download a new copy.. then run the installer. When prompted continue with the installation.
Follow the prompts until you’ve successfully installed VirtualBox. After installing, you’ll be prompted to download and install VirtualBox Extension Pack..Click Download to continue.
Next, read the license agreement. You won’t be able to click the I Agree button until the slider is way at the bottom. The I Agree button should be activated. Click it to continue to install the Extension pack.
After installing, VirtualBox should be ready to use.
My next post will show you how to install Oracle VirtualBox on Ubuntu hosts.
Enjoy! and keep coming back for more easy-to-read tutorials on Windows, Linux and WordPress.
Thanks,
Frequently Asked Questions
How to upgrade VirtualBox to version 5.0 on Windows?
To upgrade VirtualBox to version 5.0 on Windows, first download the latest version from the official VirtualBox website. Then, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade process.
What are the new features in VirtualBox 5.0 for Windows users?
VirtualBox 5.0 for Windows introduces paravirtualization support, more hardware-assisted instruction sets, nested paging, and drag'n'drop support. These features enhance performance and usability for Windows guest machines.
Can VirtualBox 5.0 run on Mac OSX?
Yes, VirtualBox 5.0 is compatible with Mac OSX. Users can install and run VirtualBox on their Mac computers to create and manage virtual machines running various operating systems.
How does VirtualBox benefit students in Information Technology?
VirtualBox is a valuable tool for students in IT as it allows them to run multiple operating systems on a single computer for testing, development, and learning purposes. It provides a safe and isolated environment for experimenting with different software configurations.
What encryption options are available for disk images in VirtualBox 5.0?
VirtualBox 5.0 introduces disk image encryption options that enhance data security. Users can customize encryption settings for their disk images to protect sensitive information stored in virtual machines.
Is HiDPI support available in VirtualBox 5.0 for Mac OSX?
Yes, VirtualBox 5.0 offers HiDPI support for Mac OSX users, including application icons and optional unscaled HiDPI output. This feature, along with 3D acceleration, provides a better visual experience on high-resolution displays.
What are the benefits of using hotplugging support for SATA disks in VirtualBox 5.0?
Hotplugging support for SATA disks in VirtualBox 5.0 allows users to dynamically attach and detach SATA disks from virtual machines without shutting them down. This feature simplifies storage management and improves flexibility in handling disk resources.
How does the new modular audio architecture in VirtualBox 5.0 enhance user experience?
The new modular audio architecture in VirtualBox 5.0 provides a better abstraction of the host audio hardware, leading to improved audio performance and compatibility. Users can enjoy enhanced audio quality and reliability in their virtual machine environments.