Running OVA from USB

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Mac OS X hosts.
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OSx
Posts: 1
Joined: 17. Mar 2013, 19:48

Running OVA from USB

Post by OSx »

I want to run the Whonix [linux] OS using virtual box. I have the .ova file on a USB which I want to use Virtual Box to run the OS from the USB drive and keep all traces of the OS on this USB drive for privacy reason. However...everytime I open the .ova file Virtual Box tries to import the operating system and put it on my local machine instead. Is there any way to just run this from my USB drive instead?
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39134
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Running OVA from USB

Post by mpack »

I deleted your cross-post from "Using VirtualBox". Cross posting is against the forum rules.
mpack
Site Moderator
Posts: 39134
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Running OVA from USB

Post by mpack »

You can't "run" an OVA. An OVA is an archive format. You can unpack (import) it to create a VM, then you can launch the VM. Importing an OVA and running a VM require that you install VirtualBox on the host. You can however locate the VM folder on a USB drive if you wish, though it will run very slow, and the danger of unplugging the drive while hot will also make it error prone.
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