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Oracle VM VirtualBox is software that lets one physical computer run virtual machines. Each virtual machine can run its own operating system and applications, while VirtualBox presents that guest system with a simulated set of hardware devices. The physical computer is the host; an operating system running inside a virtual machine is a guest.
What is a virtual machine in VirtualBox?
A virtual machine (VM) is a software-defined computer. It is not a second physical computer: VirtualBox creates a virtual hardware environment that a guest operating system can use as if it were running on a computer of its own. Oracle explains this arrangement in its technical background documentation.
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The host stores the VM’s configuration and virtual disk files. The guest uses the virtual devices VirtualBox presents, while the physical computer supplies the underlying processing, memory, storage, and other resources. Oracle’s VirtualBox User Manual describes the VM files and the relationship between host and guest.
What do “host” and “guest” mean?
- Host: the physical computer on which VirtualBox is installed and running.
- Guest: the operating system running inside a VirtualBox virtual machine.
- Virtual machine: the software-defined computer, including its settings, virtual hardware, and virtual storage, that VirtualBox runs on the host.
What are the VirtualBox components?
Base package
The base package is the core VirtualBox platform. Oracle’s downloads page says its platform packages are licensed under version 3 of the GNU General Public License (GPL). Oracle summarizes this as: “The base package consists of all open-source components and is licensed under version 3 of the GNU General Public License ‘GPL’).” See the Oracle VirtualBox downloads page for package details and current terms.
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Extension Pack
The Extension Pack is an optional add-on for extra functionality. Oracle’s manual gives extended USB support and cloud integration as examples. It is licensed separately from the base package. The Personal Use and Educational Use license identified on Oracle’s downloads page is version 12, dated 22 July 2024; its stated scope is the Extension Pack, not the base package or its source code, and it excludes commercial use. Check the current license and whether it fits your intended use before installing or using the Extension Pack. Oracle describes its purpose in the manual’s Extension Pack section.
Guest Additions
Guest Additions are separate software installed inside a guest operating system. Oracle distributes them as a separate image. They are not the same thing as the Extension Pack, and the available documentation does not imply that every VM must have Guest Additions installed. Oracle’s download directory lists the Guest Additions ISO separately from the platform packages and Extension Pack.
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Where to check VirtualBox versions and downloads
Version listings change, so check Oracle’s current downloads page for the available version and the package for your host platform. As a dated observation, Oracle’s 7.2.12 directory listed a User Manual PDF, Extension Pack, and Guest Additions ISO with file dates of 29 June 2026; Oracle’s download index linked a manual shown as updated 22 September 2026. Those dates describe the listed files and manual, not a guarantee that 7.2.12 is still the latest version.
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