How Do I Start VirtualBox Automatically When My PC Boots?

[ptoffene]

I'm running a Windows 7 VirtualBox VM on a Windows 7 host and need to start the VM automatically (without user interaction) when the Windows 7 host O/S boots. The VirtualBox User's Manual describes "Automated guest logons" on page 143, para 9.2.1 but neither the instructions using the command line switch "/with_autologon" nor the manual install described on page 59, para 4.2.1.4 for activating the VirtualBox GINA/credential provider module work for me.

The best alternative I've found is to use the Windows Task Scheduler to start the VM "at system startup." The syntax is:

"c:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\VBoxManager.exe" startvm Win7_SP1_Open

where Win7_SP1_Open is the name of the VM. I've tried envoking this action at startup and at a scheduled time; the VM doesn't start. The baffeling part of all this is that the Task Scheduler History log reports that the task completed successfully; even giving an Instance Id number (which indicates the VM started). The same syntax starts the VM from the command file and when put into a *.bat file.

Can anyone help me with this issue? Thanks!

[Sasquatch]

Either create a shortcut on the desktop from the main GUI, drop it in the Startup folder of your user's start menu, or read the stickies in the Windows Host section.

[Technologov]

Look for VBoxVMService:
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