virtualbox.xml change default location?

[pistolpete_1980]

I'm currently use 2 different OS on one computer. One on each partition.

I keep the .virtualbox folder containing the harddisks and machines folder on its onn dedicated partition seperate from each OS, so that both OS's can access this drive for the VM's, This is so I can use the same VMs no matter which Os I am currently using.

However the only problem i have is that if I create a new snap shot in while in one Os' partition, I haev to copy the virtualbox.xml file from that Os and paste it into the other OS partition.

So what I would like to do is change the default location of the virtualbox.xml so that each Os is referencing the same file, instead of its deafult documents and settings directy located in the C: drive. that way no matter what virtual box is always using the correct virtualbox.xml file!

How can I do this?

[Sasquatch]

You have to set the environmental variable VBOX_USER_HOME on both installs. You also have to make sure that the shared drive has the same drive letter on both systems. You can't have it called E:\ in the first OS and F:\ in the other. Don't forget to change the global preferences of VB too to reflect the other drive, if you haven't done so already.

[pistolpete_1980]

Yup both OS's have the same Drive letter for the virtualbox which Partition = I:\.virtualbox
and I've also set the global preferences for HardDisks I:\.virtualbox\harddisks and Machines to I:\.virtualbox\Machines

But im confused as to where i can find this global Variable VBOX_USER_HOME

Thanks!

[Sasquatch]

You have to create it. See the manual for more info. You change system variables in the System Properties > Advanced tab.

[pistolpete_1980]

I have searched for hours on the boards, internet and manual about changing the environmental variable VBOX_USER_HOME. I cant find where to do this, can someone please point me in the right direction? or somewhere were this is properly documented?

[vbox4me2]

Control panel, system properties, see button environment variables.

[Sasquatch]

I have searched for hours on the boards, internet and manual about changing the environmental variable VBOX_USER_HOME. I cant find where to do this, can someone please point me in the right direction? or somewhere were this is properly documented?

Let me make it more clear to you in case you have poor eyesight.

You have to create it. See the manual for more info. You change system variables in the System Properties > Advanced tab.

VirtualBox creates this configuration directory automatically, if necessary. Op-
tionally, you can supply an alternate configuration directory by setting the
VBOX_USER_HOME environment variable.

[pistolpete_1980]

Control panel, system properties, see button environment variables.

This woudl haev been sufficient thank you, i didnt know you were refering to the windows system variables.