Is there a way to share shared network folders inside a VM?

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Windows hosts.
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connectthedot
Posts: 3
Joined: 23. May 2013, 19:38

Is there a way to share shared network folders inside a VM?

Post by connectthedot »

For example, when I right click on a local folder inside my VM it allows me to share it but when I open a shared folder (from host) it will not allow me to share it.

Ex: C:\program files > can be shared
\\VBOXSVR\Folder > cannot be shared

Is there a way I can share host folders from inside my VM?

Thank you
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: Is there a way to share shared network folders inside a

Post by mpack »

Don't confuse the illusion with reality. A "shared folder" is in reality a program running on the host that owns the physical drive, and talks a standard protocol on a network. That host is the only one in a position to manage the contents of that folder, determine permissions etc.

Or to put it another way: no.
connectthedot
Posts: 3
Joined: 23. May 2013, 19:38

Re: Is there a way to share shared network folders inside a

Post by connectthedot »

Mpack,

so basically, the only way to share a folder on the host is to turn on file sharing on the host? And besides copying my host's folder contents into my VM and sharing that folder from my VM, there is no other way to achieve this?

(BTW the reason I want to leave file sharing turned off (on my host) is because it opens up security vulnerabilities.)
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: Is there a way to share shared network folders inside a

Post by mpack »

If all you meant was that you wanted access to a host folder then your wording was rather confusing. To access a host folder without a true network share use Guest Additions shared folders, as described in the user manual (configuring guests).
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