Create a folder on the host, install Guest Additions in the virtual machine, then add the host folder under that VM’s Shared Folders settings. In a Windows guest, open the share in File Explorer or map it to a drive letter with net use. Windows 11 may be the host, the guest, or both; the host folder is selected in VirtualBox, and the guest uses the share name you assign.
Before you start: identify the host and guest
The host is the computer running VirtualBox; the guest is the operating system running inside the virtual machine. The shared folder is an existing directory on the host. VirtualBox makes it available to the guest under a separate share name. Oracle explains that the guest uses a special Guest Additions driver to communicate with the host folder in its VirtualBox 7.2 User Guide.
If Windows 11 is your host but the guest runs Linux, configure the share the same way but follow the guest operating system’s instructions to open it. The Explorer and net use directions below apply specifically to a Windows guest.
Install Guest Additions in the virtual machine
Guest Additions must be installed in the guest for shared folders to work. For best results, Oracle recommends keeping the Guest Additions version aligned with the VirtualBox version on the host. The manual does not specify one universal Windows 11 Manager layout, so button placement may vary between releases.
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Add the host folder to the VM
- Create or select a host folder. Choose the directory you want the guest to access. Note its host path and decide on a short share name; the guest will use that name.
- Open the shared-folder controls. If the VM is powered off, open that VM’s Settings and configure Shared Folders. If it is running, use the VM window’s Devices → Shared Folders menu.
- Add the folder. Select the host directory, enter the share name, and choose the options that suit your use. Save the VM settings if prompted.
The VirtualBox manual also documents adding a share with VBoxManage sharedfolder add "VM name" --name "sharename" --hostpath "C:test". Replace the VM name, share name, and host path with your own values.
Choose persistence and guest permissions
| Option | What it means | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | Saved with the VM configuration. | Use it when the VM should keep the share across power-offs. |
| Transient | Removed when the VM is powered off. | Use it for temporary access. |
| Global | Available to VMs on the host. | Use it when multiple VMs need the same host folder. |
Shares are read-write by default. Choose read-only if the guest only needs to view or copy files from the host; this prevents the guest from modifying files in the shared directory.
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Open the share in a Windows guest
Browse in File Explorer
In the guest, open File Explorer and browse to the VirtualBox Shared Folders location. The share appears under the name you assigned in VirtualBox.
Map the share to a drive letter
To give the share a drive letter, open Command Prompt in the Windows guest and run:
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net use X: \vboxsvrShareName
Replace X: with an unused drive letter and ShareName with the configured share name. VirtualBox also accepts vboxsrv as the server name.
Use automount if you want the share mounted automatically
When automount is enabled, Guest Additions can mount the share automatically. For Windows guests, you can specify a preferred drive letter; otherwise, VirtualBox looks for an available one.
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If the folder does not appear
- Confirm Guest Additions are installed in the guest.
- Check that the selected host path exists and that the share name in the guest matches the name configured in VirtualBox.
- If you are using a Windows guest, try opening the share in File Explorer or mapping it with
net use. - If the VM was powered off and the share was transient, add the share again or change it to permanent in the VM settings.
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