VirtualBox 6, a new version with important improvements

about VirtualBox 6

In the next article we are going to take a look at a new version of VirtualBox. Oracle has released VirtualBox 6.0, a new version with important improvements for its free virtualization tool for Windows, Mac and Gnu / Linux.

As you have already read, VirtualBox is a popular cross-platform tool for virtualization. With her we can virtualize any operating system (guest) from our operating system (host). With the help of VirtualBox, we will be able to test any OS without having a dedicated hard drive.

VirtualBox receives frequent updates and releases to get up to speed with the new features of the supported host and guest operating systems. Version 6.0 brings a number of important updates to VirtualBox.

starting virtualbox 6 on Ubuntu 18.04

VirtualBox 6.0 presents important improvements in addition to a new user interface design. In this new version, 3D support is reinforced. Hyper-V emulation is now also supported by Windows as an alternate runtime kernel. Helps to troubleshoot issues running 64-bit guests when the feature was enabled sandboxing Windows Security.

Some features in VirtualBox 6.0

virtualbox 6 preferences

  • One of the first things the user will notice is its simple and clean interface. The interface has been revamped and now allows access to information such as snapshots, logs, disks, etc. in a more intuitive way.
  • This new version offers better screen detection and easier to configure virtual machines.
  • You can use the file manager for a virtual machine running on Menu → Machine → File Manager. This File Manager will allow you to copy / transfer files between the host and the guest systems.
  • There is a great improvement in the scaling and HiDPI support.
  • VirtualBox 6.0.0 comes with support for export virtual machines to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.
  • There are 3D graphics support Windows guests, while VMSVGA 3D graphics device emulation is available on Solaris and Gnu / Linux guests as emulation.
  • Utility vboxing-mount for hosts allows users to access the content of guest disks on the host.
  • VirtualBox 6.0.0 has a improved video and audio recording which can now be enabled separately.
  • Other improvements and fixes include serial port emulation, Solaris installer fixes, shared folder performance improvements, fix for creating vboxvideo on the standard kernel, and more. All this in addition to many other improvements. They can be consulted in the Change Log.

Install VirtualBox 6.0 on Ubuntu 18.04 / 18.10

It can download VirtualBox 6.0.0 for Gnu / Linux, Solaris, macOS and Windows from your download page. There you can find the necessary .deb file to install it in Ubuntu.

We are also going to be able to use the corresponding PPA. If you choose this option, you just have to open a terminal to start (Ctrl + Alt + T). First, you have to import public key from Oracle VirtualBox repository to our system using the following command:

install virtualbox 6 keys and repository on Ubuntu 18.10

wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add -

Now you have to add VirtualBox repository To the system. Here you will have to choose the Ubuntu 18.04 / 18.10 PPA as appropriate:

### Ubuntu 18.04 ###

echo "deb [arch=amd64] http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian bionic contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/virtualbox.list
### Ubuntu 18.10 ###

echo "deb [arch=amd64] http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian cosmic contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/virtualbox.list

We continue to update the Ubuntu package database:

sudo apt update

Just left install VirtualBox using apt command:

installing packages for Virtualbox 6

sudo apt -y install virtualbox-6.0

It can check vboxdrv status using command:

status vboxdrv Ubuntu

systemctl status vboxdrv

If you already had a previous version of VirtualBox installed, when performing the installation described here, it will update to the latest version. When you start the program you may see a error like the following when starting any of the virtual machines that you have created.

error after updating virtualbox

This can be solved, in most cases, by typing in a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T):

vboxconfig error solution

sudo sbin/vboxconfig

VirtualBox 6.0 does not support 32-bit hosts. Therefore, for install VirtualBox on 32-bit Ubuntu hosts, the previous version will need to be used, which is VirtualBox 5.2.

For more information about this virtualization software, any user can consult the official documentation on the project website.


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  1.   Drazen Gara said

    Hi, does VirtualBox 6 support Firewire?

    1.    Damien Amoedo said

      I don't think so. Look at the changes of the new version.