When we install Ubuntu 22.04 or any other Linux distribution on VirtualBox as a virtual machine, it does not occupy the full screen. Even if you maximize the Virtualbox the problem remains the same, it does not fit in the whole screen. It left some space around its sides as shown in the diagram:

The space is left around its left and right sides.

In this article, we’ll learn about how you can enable full screen in VirtualBox.

 How to enable full screen in VirtualBox Ubuntu 22.04?

To enable full screen in VirtualBox, we can use some additional packages, that will solve this problem. If you have installed Ubuntu 22.04 on VirtualBox, you’ll face this problem. Follow these steps for solving this problem:

  • Turn on your Ubuntu 22.04 machine and log into your machine
  • In VirtualBox, top menu bar select “Devices” and click on “Insert Guest Additions CD image..”:
  • Now go to the sidebar of the Ubuntu Desktop, and you’ll the CD icon:

It means that the VBOX Guest addition CD image has been loaded.

  • Now open the terminal by pressing “Ctrl + Alt + t”
  • Run the following command:
$ sudo apt update

The command will update the packages:

  • Now run the following command to install the “Linux headers build-essential” package
$ sudo apt install linux-headers-$(uname -r) build-essential dkms -y

The command will install the package:

  • Now double-click on the CD icon from the sidebar in the Ubuntu Desktop
  • Open the directory in the terminal
  • Type the ls command and the following output will be displayed:
  • Now type the following command in the terminal to autorun the package for installation:
$ ./autorun.sh

The command will run the package for installation:

  • The command will require authentication to proceed with the installation:
  • Specify your password and click on the “Authenticate” button
  • The installation of Guest Addition will start
  • After installation, the system will show a message “Press return to close this window”
  • Press “Ctrl + c” to terminate the process:
  • Now restart the system 
  • As the system boots up you’ll see that the full screen has been enabled
  • The space around the left and right sides will be covered:

This is how you can enable full screen in VirtualBox using guest additions.

Conclusion

To enable full screen in VirtualBox, use the guest additions image CD and install the Linux headers build-essentials package. After the installation of these packages, your full screen will be activated.  In this article, we have explained how you can enable the full screen in VirtualBox for Ubuntu 22.04.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enable full screen in VirtualBox Ubuntu 22.04?

To enable full screen in VirtualBox Ubuntu 22.04, you need to install additional packages called VBOX Guest Additions. Follow the steps outlined in the article to resolve the issue.

What should I do if my Ubuntu 22.04 virtual machine doesn't occupy the full screen in VirtualBox?

If your Ubuntu 22.04 virtual machine does not occupy the full screen in VirtualBox, you can insert the Guest Additions CD image and install necessary packages like linux-headers and build-essential to enable full screen.

How can I make my Ubuntu Desktop fit the whole screen in VirtualBox?

To make your Ubuntu Desktop fit the whole screen in VirtualBox, you can autorun the VBOX Guest Additions package located in the CD image. This package helps adjust the display for full-screen viewing.

What is the shortcut to open the terminal in Ubuntu 22.04?

In Ubuntu 22.04, you can open the terminal by pressing 'Ctrl + Alt + t'. The terminal allows you to run commands for installing necessary packages to enable full screen in VirtualBox.

How do I update packages in Ubuntu 22.04?

To update packages in Ubuntu 22.04, you can run the command 'sudo apt update' in the terminal. This ensures that your system has the latest software packages available.

What are the commands to install linux-headers and build-essential packages in Ubuntu?

To install the linux-headers and build-essential packages in Ubuntu, run the command 'sudo apt install linux-headers-$(uname -r) build-essential dkms -y'. These packages are necessary for enabling full screen in VirtualBox.

How do I autorun the package for installation in Ubuntu Desktop?

To autorun the package for installation in Ubuntu Desktop, navigate to the CD icon, open the directory in the terminal, and run the command './autorun.sh'. This initiates the installation process for enabling full screen in VirtualBox.

What authentication is required during the installation process for enabling full screen in VirtualBox?

During the installation process for enabling full screen in VirtualBox, authentication is required to proceed. You need to specify your password and click on the 'Authenticate' button to authorize the installation of necessary packages.