Does Windows XP guest support guest additions (a) on Mac OS (b) Windows 10 host?

Discussions about using Windows guests in VirtualBox.
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Andy3142
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Joined: 25. Jul 2022, 13:23

Does Windows XP guest support guest additions (a) on Mac OS (b) Windows 10 host?

Post by Andy3142 »

Sorry if this is documented somewhere evident I should have seen! If I install a Windows XP guest on (a) Windows 10 and (b) Mac OS High Sierra and later, can I do cut and paste from guest to host? And if it requires guest additions, is that available for these OS combinations?
Many thanks.
multiOS
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Primary OS: Mac OS X other
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Re: Does Windows XP guest support guest additions (a) on Mac OS (b) Windows 10 host?

Post by multiOS »

Yes, you can cut, copy and paste (data, but not files) in both directions, providing Guest Additions are installed and the 'Shared Clipboard' setting for the VM is set to Bidirectional in the General > Advanced Tab - VirtualBox User Guide para. 3.4.2 .

In windows XP VMs Guest additions have to be installed 'Safe Mode'. - VirtualBox User Guide Section 4.2.1.1
scottgus1
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Re: Does Windows XP guest support guest additions (a) on Mac OS (b) Windows 10 host?

Post by scottgus1 »

multiOS wrote:In windows XP VMs Guest additions have to be installed 'Safe Mode'. - VirtualBox User Guide Section 4.2.1.1
Actually, this requirement was only required if 3D acceleration was wanted in the XP VM. If 3D acceleration is not required in the XP VM, then Guest Additions can be installed in a normally-running VM.

Since in 6.1.x, 3D acceleration is no longer available for Vista and earlier Windows OS's, it is no longer necessary to install GAs in XP Safe Mode. 6.0.x and earlier still have 3D acceleration for XP available, and installing in Safe Mode is required only for when 3D is wanted in the VM.

(Note that apparently XP has had a long delay during the install of the GAs which has been worked around by disconnecting the VM's virtual "network cable".)
Andy3142
Posts: 4
Joined: 25. Jul 2022, 13:23

Re: Does Windows XP guest support guest additions (a) on Mac OS (b) Windows 10 host?

Post by Andy3142 »

@scottgus1, @multiOS, thank you both.
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