Vbox update question

This is for discussing general topics about how to use VirtualBox.
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dboxall123
Posts: 2
Joined: 2. Nov 2013, 00:53

Vbox update question

Post by dboxall123 »

Hello all,

Just a quick question - I need to install VirtualBox 4.3.6, because (apparently) that is what is required to run Arch Linux in VirtualBox. My current installation is 4.1.12. Now, I have a Windows 7 virtual machine installed. If I was to delete VirtualBox 4.1.12 and install 4.3.6, would I be able to get my Windows virtual machine to work with the fresh VBox install, or would I need to do a fresh install of windows as well? I just wanted to check in advance, because I don't think the verification code works twice on windows installs.

Thanks in advance,
-Dan
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: Vbox update question

Post by mpack »

The data will still be there after the application is updated.
rpmurray
Volunteer
Posts: 918
Joined: 3. Mar 2009, 00:29
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows 7, Mac OS X (various flavors)
Location: Between Heaven and Hell

Re: Vbox update question

Post by rpmurray »

The safest way to update to a new version of VirtualBox is to use the VirtualBox_Unistall.tool (in the dmg) to uninstall the old version and then install the new version. It might be a good idea to reboot the host between the uninstall and the install to make sure that the old drivers are not still running when you install the new version.

When you use the uninstall tool it only removes the drivers and the VirtualBox application. The vdi that you created for your VM (Windows 7 in your case) and the settings you used for it will not be removed and will be used by the new version of VB when it's installed. If you want to play it really safe it would be a good idea to shut down any guests you have running, quit the VirtualBox application and then make a backup of the VirtualBox VMs folder in case anything goes wrong.
scottgus1
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Posts: 20945
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: Vbox update question

Post by scottgus1 »

Chant with me: Backup Backup Backup...
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