How to Share Your VirtualBox Virtual Machine Across Multiple Operating Systems
Key Notes
- Understand the importance of ExFAT filesystem for cross-platform accessibility.
- Follow detailed, OS-specific steps to create an ExFAT storage device.
- Learn how to successfully share your virtual machines between various operating systems.
Streamlined Sharing of VirtualBox Virtual Machines Across Different Operating Systems
Effectively sharing VirtualBox virtual machines (VMs) across different operating systems can present a challenge, especially for users operating on dual-boot systems. This tutorial addresses the critical steps necessary to ensure your VMs are accessible regardless of the OS in use. By following this guide, you will learn how to set up a shared environment using the ExFAT filesystem, which is compatible across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Establishing an ExFAT Storage Device for Your Virtual Machine
To share your virtual machine effectively, begin by creating an external storage device formatted with the ExFAT filesystem. This step is crucial, as it allows for seamless access between different operating systems.
Step 1: Setting Up an ExFAT Drive on Windows
On a Windows system, open your file manager and connect your external hard drive. Locate your disk in the sidebar, right-click it, and select Format….
Pro Tip: Ensure you’ve backed up any important data on the disk, as formatting will erase all contents.
In the format options, select ExFAT from the File System dropdown, maintain the default values, and click Start to begin the formatting process.
Step 2: Formulating an ExFAT Drive on macOS
For macOS users, press Command + Space to open Spotlight Search, type “Disk Utility, ” and hit enter.
Select your external disk from the left sidebar, click Erase in the top menu, then choose ExFAT as the format type. Confirm by pressing Erase to complete the process.
Step 3: Creating an ExFAT Drive on Linux
On Linux, launch a terminal and install the necessary ExFAT filesystem package if it’s not already installed. Afterwards, open the disk utility program (which can be found via the app launcher) and select your physical disk.
Access the menu, choose Format Disk…, then confirm the action. Add a new volume by clicking the + icon, select the required partition size, choose ExFAT as the filesystem, and click Create.
Transferring the VDI File Between Windows and Mac/Linux
Start by booting into your Windows system and launching VirtualBox. Click New to create a new virtual machine.
Step 4: Configuring Your VM in Windows
Enter a name for your VM, then select the appropriate ISO file. When prompted for a hard disk, click the Browse button to locate and select your external disk as the location for your VDI.
Complete the installation wizard for your chosen OS, then shut down the VM. Switch to either macOS or Linux and open VirtualBox there.
Step 5: Setting Up the VM in Mac or Linux
In your secondary OS, create a new virtual machine using the same memory and processor settings as the original. Choose Use an Existing Virtual Hard Disk File, and browse to select the VDI file from your external drive. Proceed through the prompts and start your VM.
Transferring the VDI File Between macOS and Linux
Boot into Linux, access VirtualBox, and opt for Expert Mode during VM creation. Specify your VM’s name and type, and then navigate through the settings as before to set the hard disk location to your external drive.
Now that the VM is accessible on both systems, simply boot it in either macOS or Linux to run your shared virtual machine.
Summary
This guide provided crucial steps to share VirtualBox virtual machines effectively across different operating systems, focusing on the importance of using an ExFAT formatted external drive for easier access and file compatibility.
Conclusion
Following the methods outlined in this tutorial ensures that your virtual machines remain accessible, regardless of the operating system in use. Whether you are an IT professional or a tech enthusiast, this guide equips you with the knowledge to leverage your VMs efficiently across different platforms.