VBox update experience... Need preview.

[markfilipak2]

I have spent a few hours looking (help, on-line, the .pdf, these forums, etc.), but can find nothing. Question: What's the VirtualBox update experience like? When a new version of VirtualBox arrives, do I need to do something with my existing Guests? (I'm trying to anticipate future problems before I pass off an .ova to a non-technical neighbor.)

Pointing me to an appropriate article is a very acceptable solution here. Thanks - Mark.

Comment: The Help has plenty to say about installation but appears to have nothing to say about updating. - M.

[ucrasher]

Hi,
in most cases you want to update the guest additions inside the VM. That takes a minute and often a reboot of the guest.
In the past all updates went smooth for me (using VB since +4 years).

Good luck.

[markfilipak2]

Thanks, ucrasher. Do you mind a few follow-up questions?

1, Does update mean that VBox Mgr. changes?
2, How will I know when an update has occurred?
3, When an update occurs, does the Guest Additions also change?
4, Assuming that the answer to 3 is "yes", do I have to download the new Guest Additions or are they applied to existing Guests automagically?
5, What happens if VBox updates while a Guest is running?

Thanks in advance - Mark.

[ucrasher]

Hi Mark,
1: yes
2: not sure I understand correct. VB website publishes new versions. In Ubuntu you get a notification from UpdateManager (if you added the VB repository).
On Windows you are on your own.
3: yes, but you need to install that new version into each guest manually. Typically the old guest additions work, but might lack bug fixes....
4: see 3
5: I never tried that and I think it is not going to work. Too risky for my taste.
Good luck.