VirtualBox is a terrific tool to try alternate operating systems. It permits you to run a whole operating system as an app called a virtual device, which works to access software application for that other system in a pinch. VirtualBox does a good job on its own, but installing the VirtualBox Extension Pack makes the experience a lot better.
Installing the Extension Pack on the Host OS
The first step is installing the Extension Pack representing the variation of VirtualBox you’re running. There are a couple of methods to begin this process, but the actual installation is the exact same for all of them..
First, go to the VirtualBox site and download the Extension Pack.
The most uncomplicated way to release the setup is using the typical approach for your host OS, such as double-clicking the file in Windows. It must open with VirtualBox instantly and the process concludes. Alternatively, install it within VirtualBox through the actions that follow.
At the same time, open the File menu, then select Preferences.
Within the Preferences dialog, select Extensions.
Then, click the button on the right captioned Adds a new package. A file picker dialog will open, where you can select your downloaded Extension Pack.
First, a dialog will show explaining that the Extension Pack contains some system-level software. Click Install to continue.
A Windows dialog will ask if it’s OK for this application to make modifications to your device (it is). The installer will show a small progress bar while it sets up the Extension Pack.
Next, examine the License agreement, and click I Agree when you’ve reached the bottom.
Now that the Extension Pack is installed on the host OS, you can reboot VirtualBox to have access to any of the functions listed earlier in this post.
What Is the VirtualBox Extension Pack?
As the name recommends, the Extension Pack an add-on that you install first on your machine’s primary OS (called the host, where OS you’ll be running is the visitor ). It includes a number of drivers and other software application that assist much better incorporate the 2 systems, such as:.
If you have USB 2 or 3 gadgets plugged into the host machine that you want the guest to be able to access, you’ll require the Extension Pack.If you’re concerned about the security of your visitor OS, you can encrypt it if you have the Extension Pack installed.It’s common to want to access your guest OS from another machine, for example if you’re running it on a network server. The Extension Pack adds the ability to remote into the guest OS through RDP.Suppose you have a webcam that just has drivers readily available for Windows, but you want to utilize it with a piece of macOS software application. In this case you’ll need the Extension Pack to pass the cam’s video through to the guest.
The Extension Pack refers to some additional tools set up on the host device. There are also some comparable products to be set up on OS running on VirtualBox, described as the Guest Additions. Nevertheless, that these are two different things, and they’re neither required by one another nor equally special.
