virtualbox.org

Some previous version of VirtualBox would allow you to have two monitors, but it would never display the second one, neither in windowed mode nor in seamless mode.

A newer version displayed a window for each monitor in windowed mode, but when you went to seamless mode, the second monitor would disappear.

In the latest version, it allocates each guest monitor to a host monitor.

I actually want the behavior in the 2nd example - I want to hide the second monitor when going into seamless mode. Is this possible in the latest version of VirtualBox?

MOD Edit: Multi or cross posting is not allowed. Other topic deleted.

Why hide your second monitor? That would be like putting an application there that you have to use, then turn off the monitor. That would be useless, as you need the application for work and you can't work with it if the monitor is turned off. Nor do you know if an application launched properly if it appears on the other, turned off, monitor. Heck, you could even get a VM without a task bar, because that instance is hidden!

Really, I see no reason to 'hide' the second monitor when going to seamless. If you don't want two monitors, change it in the VM settings.

Yep I get the implications of hiding the second monitor. I have some automated software which needs windows to be displayed for it to work. I know that it works, and I don't want to see it clicking and stuff, so I'd rather have it on the second monitor, turned off. If I can't get this to work then I"ll have to put in an extra monitor in my computer and physically turn it off, just like you said.

Too bad you don't have a Linux host which supports multiple desktops.
From what you are saying that would be perfect for you. I know there are some available for Windows 7 but have not tried them. Google for multiple desktops in Windows 7.

would i be able to redirect the guest monitor to one of the other virtual desktops? would virtualbox integrate that well with it? how does it work on linux? if that's the only way maybe I can switch over..

I can't say exactly how it works in Windows. Have not used desktops in Windows for a long time.

In Linux you start the guest in desktop 2 and do your work in desktop 1.
Switching is as easy as click on the desktop 2 to see it. Single monitor is all you need. Click back to desktop 1 and you don't even see the other one, but it continues to run and do it's thing. Also works remotely this way.

Those multiple Desktop tools in Windows do work quite well. I've tried one or two different ones and they worked with my different applications. I've also had some in fullscreen mode, so I assume that it would also work with an guest in fullscreen, because it's nothing other than a fullscreen window for the host.