virtualbox.org

I just installed the new (Oct 2015) version of VB into a Windows 7 guest and an El Capitan Mac OS (10.11) host.
I was prompted to update Guest Additions to version 5.x from the Device Menu. The "Insert Guest Additions" menu item is unresponsive. I had web access when I tried to update.
So what's going on?
Jim

First thing is, are you saying you are running a Windows 7 guest in VirtualBox on a OSX host? In other words you updated VirtualBox on your Mac? If so, the wording is terrible.

If you are trying to update the GAs in your Windows 7 guest, after inserting the CD image, the CD will appear in the sidebar of the Windows file manager.

To expand a bit on what Lou said, insert guest additions simply attaches the guest additions ISO file to the guest's CD/DVD drive. It will only start automatically if the Windows machine is set to auto-run when a disk is inserted. If it is not set to auto-run, open the CD drive from the guest OS and start the program manually.

You know, I was "proud" 2 years ago that my bug report about the "Install Guest Additions..." wording got fixed (remember that?). Still doesn't seem to be good enough. Maybe a bucket of cold water in the face after selecting that option is in order