VirtualBox as normal user is slow

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Windows hosts.
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thijsee
Posts: 8
Joined: 3. Jun 2019, 15:15

VirtualBox as normal user is slow

Post by thijsee »

Some time ago I have switched from running VirtualBox as admin to normal user to reduce security issues. Since then all my Virtual machines run much slower (at approx. 20 to 50% speed).
In de log I see some differences, e.g. at loading (as admin) or opening (as user) VMMR0.r0 (C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\VMMR0.r0).
Has anybody advises to improve the running of VirtualBox as user with the original speed of the VMs?

I have attached the log-files:
- as admin: VBox_admin.log.zip
- as user: VBox_user.log.zip

I am running VirtualBox v6.1.18, both at the host (Windows 10 Prof) as guest additions (at VM with Windows 7).
Attachments
VBox_user.zip
running Virtualbox as normal user
(33.96 KiB) Downloaded 11 times
VBox_admin.zip
running Virtualbox as admin
(33.64 KiB) Downloaded 8 times
fth0
Volunteer
Posts: 5668
Joined: 14. Feb 2019, 03:06
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Linux, Windows 10, ...
Location: Germany

Re: VirtualBox as normal user is slow

Post by fth0 »

The two VMs are not configured the same: The admin's VM has 3D Acceleration enabled, and the user's VM has it disabled. So I'd guess that you have two VMs (.vbox files) sharing the same virtual disk images (VDI files).
thijsee
Posts: 8
Joined: 3. Jun 2019, 15:15

Re: VirtualBox as normal user is slow

Post by thijsee »

Thanks for your prompt reaction.
I was not clear about both log-files. Both files are made with the same VM.
Before this I did a test with switching off and on the 3D-acceleration: no noticeable difference in performance. I think I have forgotten to switch the 3D acceleration on for the test with VirtualBox as normal user.
Do you see other remarkable things?
If you want I can do a fresh test with the same VM as user and as admin.
thijsee
Posts: 8
Joined: 3. Jun 2019, 15:15

Re: VirtualBox as normal user is slow

Post by thijsee »

I just saw an upgrade of VirtualBox was available: v6.1.20, with one of the comments:
"VMM: Fixed extremely poor VM performance depending on the timing of various actions (regression in 6.1.0)"
I installed this version and did a test as 'normal user': remarkable faster.
I also did a test as admin: same (good) performance compared to 'normal user'
This seems to have solved my problem.
Thanks Virtualbox team for this important improvement and @fth0 for the reply!
thijsee
Posts: 8
Joined: 3. Jun 2019, 15:15

Re: VirtualBox as normal user is slow

Post by thijsee »

I was too early with my conclusion.
After some time the VMs where slow again as before the update to v6.1.20.
Recently I installed v6.1.26 and I had the same experience: right after the update the VMs seemed on the original (desired) speed!
But after a few hours the speed decreased again to approx. 20 to 50% of the original speed and stayed there until now (2 weeks later).
The fact that Virtualbox is started as normal user (not as admin) seems to be a factor ...
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