VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Windows hosts.
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TheMineCommander
Posts: 4
Joined: 18. May 2022, 23:05

VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Post by TheMineCommander »

I have an Ubuntu VM that I run on my Win10 host. I keep trying to resize the disk on the Guest so that I have more storage. I do this from VBoxManage. However, I keep getting a Windows popup saying that it can't run on my PC and to check with the software publisher for more versions. Where can I get another version?

Thank you!
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Post by scottgus1 »

Windows requires the command window to have access to the path to 'vboxmanage', through a few different ways:
  • Have the install path for Virtualbox (usually "C:\Program Files\Oracle\Virtualbox") in your PC's %PATH% system variable
  • Point the command prompt at the system folder with a:
    cd "C:\Program Files\Oracle\Virtualbox"
    before running a 'vboxmanage command
  • put the path to the command in each time you type 'vboxmanage':
    "C:\Program Files\Oracle\Virtualbox\vboxmanage.exe" --etc...
  • put a batch file called 'vboxmanage.cmd' in the "C:\Windows" folder, containing the following:
    "C:\Program Files\Oracle\Virtualbox\vboxmanage.exe" /*
    and always use only 'vboxmanage', not 'vboxmanage.exe' in the command prompt. This one was developed by forum guru Mpack (though ou might want to do a web-search for the batch file, as I'm going on memory with what the batch file contains.
If none of the above fixes your problem, then please post a screenshot of the error Windows puts up, using the forum's Upload Attachment tab.
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Post by mpack »

Contents of batch file. Scott's memory of the command is not quite right, the actual batch file line is:

Code: Select all

"c:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\VBoxManage.exe" %*
Attachments
VBoxManage.zip
(229 Bytes) Downloaded 112 times
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Post by mpack »

I have to say however that I don't recognize the error description given by the OP. If the problem was simply that the command path was missing then the error message would say "command not recognized", and it would be text, not a popup.

I suspect that the actual problem here is that VirtualBox has not been installed.

I would like to see the exact command typed, and the exact error message.
TheMineCommander
Posts: 4
Joined: 18. May 2022, 23:05

Re: VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Post by TheMineCommander »

Thank you for the advice, but it still didn't work. I have attached a screenshot.
Attachments
Screenshot 2022-05-19 170845.png
Screenshot 2022-05-19 170845.png (42.79 KiB) Viewed 3695 times
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Post by scottgus1 »

OK, thanks for the screenshot. That warning doesn't happen on normal Windows installs. There are no 'other' versions of vboxmanage to plug in. Each version of Virtualbox comes with its correct version of vboxmanage.

Are you running an Insider Preview of Windows? What version of Virtualbox do you have installed?
TheMineCommander
Posts: 4
Joined: 18. May 2022, 23:05

Re: VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Post by TheMineCommander »

I have VirtualBox 6.1.30. I am running Windows 10 Home Version 21H1. However, when I purchased my computer, it came with an activated Windows version (licensed to me). Could this cause it? Would you like me to screenshot winver and send it?

Thanks!
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Post by mpack »

No, this has nothing to do with your Windows version or license. I would guess that is has to do with VirtualBox not being installed properly, perhaps due to lacking admin rights.

Run the VirtualBox installer again, this time right click the executable and choose "Run as administrator".
TheMineCommander
Posts: 4
Joined: 18. May 2022, 23:05

Re: VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Post by TheMineCommander »

It worked! Thank you!
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39156
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: VBoxManage.exe can't run on my PC

Post by mpack »

Thanks for reporting back.
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