Useful and lesser-known features of VirtualBox
Under the Hood

The VirtualBox virtual machine tool is a familiar sight on Linux systems, but many users don't access the full range of its powers. This article highlights some advanced features of VirtualBox that could save you some time and effort.
VirtualBox is a powerful virtualization tool that supports a variety of Windows and Linux guest systems. Most users control VirtualBox via the VirtualBox Manager. In this graphical user interface, you can set up a virtual machine with just a few mouse clicks. However, many VirtualBox users don't realize that the VirtualBox Manager also has some interesting advanced functions hidden in the depths of its settings menus and dialogs.
Be Friendly
Snapshots freeze the current state of a virtual machine and save it. You can then restore this state any time later with just a mouse click. Snapshots are especially useful for Windows guests: Before an update is due, you create a new snapshot to which can you return with just two mouse clicks in case of a failed update. Anyone who has ever had a function update blow up in their face under Windows will quickly appreciate this help.
To create a new snapshot, click the small black triangle in the top right corner of the VirtualBox Manager, next to the VM Tools icon, and select Snapshots (Figure 1). You will now see a list of all snapshots that have already been taken. At first, you will only see the Current state entry.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
There's a New Linux AI Assistant in Town
Newelle is a Linux AI assistant that can work with different LLMs and includes document parsing and profiles.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Released with Minor Fixes
The latest Linux kernel doesn't really include any big-ticket features, just a lot of lines of code.
-
EU Sovereign Tech Fund Gains Traction
OpenForum Europe recently released a report regarding a sovereign tech fund with backing from several significant entities.
-
FreeBSD Promises a Full Desktop Installer
FreeBSD has lacked an option to include a full desktop environment during installation.
-
Linux Hits an Important Milestone
If you pay attention to the news in the Linux-sphere, you've probably heard that the open source operating system recently crashed through a ceiling no one thought possible.
-
Plasma Bigscreen Returns
A developer discovered that the Plasma Bigscreen feature had been sitting untouched, so he decided to do something about it.
-
CachyOS Now Lets Users Choose Their Shell
Imagine getting the opportunity to select which shell you want during the installation of your favorite Linux distribution. That's now a thing.
-
Wayland 1.24 Released with Fixes and New Features
Wayland continues to move forward, while X11 slowly vanishes into the shadows, and the latest release includes plenty of improvements.
-
Bugs Found in sudo
Two critical flaws allow users to gain access to root privileges.
-
Fedora Continues 32-Bit Support
In a move that should come as a relief to some portions of the Linux community, Fedora will continue supporting 32-bit architecture.