VirtualBox .16 shuts host internet down (Win8)

[alecalixto]

Gentlemen,

I had VB .12 running on my Windows 8 with no further problems, but when I updated to .16 version, my host computer doesn't access Internet anymore.

That new adapter called "host only" seems to be blocking Internet access, I had tried to change network configurations on VB changing IPv4 address, but no one worked. Also had tried to enable and disable DHCP, also without success.

Only solution: uninstall VirtualBox

Do you know what could be happening?

Kindest regards!

[noteirak]

If you don't need the host-only interface, you can simply remove it into the Virtualbox window, into the File menu | Preference | Network
Select the host-only interface and then clock on the little PCI Card with a minus sign on the right. This should fix your network.

[alecalixto]

Thank you for the answer, my friend!

Well, I had also tried to delete it, but the adapter created after VB's install wasn't removed from Network and Sharing control panel.

The strange issue is when the version .12 was installed, everything was ok, when updated to .16 this problem occurs...

[noteirak]

To remove an adapter, you need to have effective Administrator rights, so if the UAC is on, it might cause issues.
Do you get a specific error message when trying to remove it?

Meanwhile, you can always disable the interface.

[alecalixto]

Only way that worked for me: install VB without any Network package, unchecking it during installation wizard process.

[mpack]

If you don't have adequate permissions to install device drivers on your host (or more likely: you have Win8 set to silently reject non-Microsoft drivers), then there are a number of VirtualBox features which will not work correctly, e.g. host-only networking, bridged networking, USB.

"Host-only" shouldn't block internet access - it's a virtual network not connected to the outside world at all - unless your Win8 host somehow thought it was the preferred network? Perhaps just a bit of time would convince it otherwise.

[alecalixto]

I am computer's administrator, can be some Win8 comflict, but thay's ok, now is working fine without networking features, but the VMs are accessing the Internet.

Thanks again for your support and attention!

[mpack]

The Win8 driver rejection feature happens whether you're admin or not - that's one reason why it's controversial. Google for "Driver Signature Enforcement".