How to copy and paste between host machines and VirtualBox VM
VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise and home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature-rich, high-performance product for enterprise customers. But it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 3. In this guide, you will learn how to copy and paste between host machines and VirtualBox VM. Presently, VirtualBox runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, Solaris hosts etc.
This is worth configuring as it makes life easy for IT System administrators. This will help you a lot by not manually inputting text etc. Or searching for items by opening new web browsers inside of the virtual machine to copy and paste. Please see Associate SSH Public key with Azure Linux VM, and how to “Copy Deployment Share between Servers without using linked Deployment Shares“.
Prerequisites
Ensure the VirtualBox guest additions for a whole lot of capabilities. Without the Guest Additions installed, copy and paste will not work. On how to install virtual machine Guest Addition.
Copy and Paste Setup for Virtualbox VMs
To configure the bidirectional shared clipboard has to be configured on all individual VM running in VirtualBox.
- Launch VirtualBox and
- Select the guest VM
Next, click on the settings button. or right-click on the VM and click on settings or press Ctrl + S on your keyboard
- Select Advanced
- Under the Shared Clipboard, select “Bidirectional”
You can also enable the “Drag and Drop” feature and finally, click OK.
Here are some related guides: How to install Oracle VirtualBox on a Mac device, how to fix “Failed to open session in VirtualBox to install Windows 11 Image” , and how to install and configure Ubuntu Linux on VirtualBox.
When you log back into the virtual machine, you can now copy and paste text between the host device and the VM. The Drag’n’Drop feature lets you select a whole data file from the host to the guest or vice versa.
FAQ relation to Virtualbox Drag’n’Drop feature
Can I run Windows on my Mac using VirtualBox?
VirtualBox allows you to run various operating systems, including Windows, on your Mac PC. You can create a VM and install Windows or Linux on it. This feature is particularly useful for running Windows applications on your Mac without the need for a separate physical PC.
How do I install VirtualBox on my Mac?
To install VirtualBox on your Mac, download the installation package from the official VirtualBox website. After downloading, open the package and follow the steps in the link attached. You may need to allow some security permissions in your Mac’s System Preferences.
Is VirtualBox Drag’n’Drop feature supported on all guest operating systems?
VirtualBox’s Drag’n’Drop feature is primarily supported on Windows, Linux, and some guest OS combinations, but not universally across all operating systems
I hope you found this blog post helpful on how to copy and paste between host machines and VirtualBox VM. Please let me know in the comment section if you have any questions.
