To run VirtualBox, you need to locate and open the application on your host operating system. Here's how to do it on different platforms:
Accessing VirtualBox on Different Operating Systems
| Operating System | Method |
|---|---|
| Windows | From the Programs menu, find and click on the VirtualBox item within the VirtualBox group. |
| Windows (Alt) | Alternatively, type "VirtualBox" in the Start menu's search box and select the application. |
| macOS | In the Finder, locate the Applications folder and double-click on the VirtualBox icon. |
Detailed Steps
On Windows:
- Locate the Start Menu: Click on the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Find the Programs Menu: Scroll through the programs list or search for the "VirtualBox" folder.
- Launch VirtualBox: Click on the VirtualBox application within the folder to start it.
- Alternative Search: If you can't find it in the program list, type "VirtualBox" in the search bar of the Start menu and click on the application icon.
On macOS:
- Open Finder: Click on the Finder icon on the dock.
- Navigate to Applications: In the Finder window, click on "Applications" in the sidebar.
- Find VirtualBox: Scroll through the applications or use the search function in the upper right corner to find "VirtualBox".
- Launch VirtualBox: Double-click the VirtualBox application icon to open it.
What To Expect After Launching VirtualBox
Once VirtualBox is launched, you'll see its main window. From here you can:
- Create new virtual machines.
- Import existing virtual machines.
- Manage your virtual machine settings.
- Start, pause, or shut down virtual machines.
- Access tools and features related to virtualization.
Notes
- Make sure that you have installed VirtualBox properly before trying to run it.
- VirtualBox will present its user interface where you can manage all your virtual machines.
- These instructions help you get to VirtualBox’s main interface on the host system. After this step, you’ll configure and operate virtual machines within VirtualBox as needed.
