Need to be able to use my CD drive in VirtualBox

This is for discussing general topics about how to use VirtualBox.
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jeffreim
Posts: 2
Joined: 7. Sep 2016, 00:52

Need to be able to use my CD drive in VirtualBox

Post by jeffreim »

Hello
What must I do to get the CD drive on my new PC to work within my WinXP in virtualbox?
I am running Windows 10 on a new PC (Lenovo - AMD A10).
I have installed VirtualBox and created a Guest machine, and on that I have installed and activated Windows XP.
I need to install an old program (CorelDraw) from the original installation CDs ON my virtual WinXP machine.
The PC has a CD drive, but it is not recognized by the virtual WinXP machine. I know it is possible but just can't
seem to find the appropriate settings to allow the CD drive to show up under "my computer" on the virtual machine.
A step-by-step how-to would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
BillG
Volunteer
Posts: 5106
Joined: 19. Sep 2009, 04:44
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows 10,7 and earlier
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Need to be able to use my CD drive in VirtualBox

Post by BillG »

All you have to do is tell VirtualBox that you want the guest to use the physical optical drive of the host machine.

Open the Settings page for your vm (while the vm is shut down, not paused or saved) and go to the Storage section. Select the disk icon below your hard drive entry. This is your optical drive. After you select it you will see a new disk icon on the far right near the top of the window. Click this icon and select the host drive from the dropdown list.

After you restart your vm it should see any disk you put in the physical drive.
Bill
jeffreim
Posts: 2
Joined: 7. Sep 2016, 00:52

Re: Need to be able to use my CD drive in VirtualBox

Post by jeffreim »

YES!
Thank you so much.
The drive is now recognized and the software is installing.
Your simple explanation is very much appreciated.
Thanks again!
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