Is it possible to install/create some type of automatic VM

Discussions about using Windows guests in VirtualBox.
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lettie
Posts: 6
Joined: 12. Jan 2016, 21:17

Is it possible to install/create some type of automatic VM

Post by lettie »

I currently use Windows xp my question is it possible to set up my virtual machines to save files automatically
erdeslawe
Volunteer
Posts: 241
Joined: 8. Jul 2015, 10:23

Re: Is it possible to install/create some type of automatic VM

Post by erdeslawe »

For Virtual Machine, think physical computer. What you can do on a physical computer you should be able to do in a Virtual Machine, but only when they are 'switched on'.

For a clearer answer you would need to explain precisely what you mean by "set up my virtual machines to save files automatically". What Files?
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20945
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: Is it possible to install/create some type of automatic VM

Post by scottgus1 »

Lettie, If by "save files" you mean save the state the guest XP and all its open files are in when the host shuts down, the answer is Maybe. The Virtualbox manual, section 9.26, discusses what the guest may do if you suspend (Windows Hibernate) the host. Essentially, when your Windows or Mac host hibernates the guests all pause. Waking up restores the running guest. Linux hosts don't have this yet.

Getting the guest to happily save itself when the host shuts down, logs off, or reboots is not handled by Virtualbox. In Windows there are Group Policy settings to run a script when the OS shuts down, but these scripts run long after a guest will be mercilessly killed by the shutting-down host OS. You have to keep your computer from shutting down, logging off, or rebooting while you are running guests.

If it is really important to keep that guest from dying unceremoniously, google for how to remove Shut Down, Log Off and Restart from your Start Button power choices. Use shutdown and restart scripts that check for and save-state the guests before shutting down, logging off, or rebooting the host. Get the battery backup to hibernate instead of shut down. Use a scheduled script to handle Windows Updates instead of letting the OS handle updates itself, and insert guest-save-state commands before the host shutdown command.

Another possibility if your host is Windows is to run your guest as a service: See viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8595&start=30. The guest will run when the computer boots before you log in, then you remote into the guest using Remote Desktop to see the guest via built-in Remote Desktop, Virtualbox's Remote Desktop, or in-the-guest remote-in software. The guest can be set to save-state before the host shuts down.
lettie
Posts: 6
Joined: 12. Jan 2016, 21:17

Re: Is it possible to install/create some type of automatic VM

Post by lettie »

I use VM to save coupons normally the website allows me to save 2 per computer I have 1 main VM and created 10 clones
My question is can I program my VM to save my coupons automatically? If I change do it manually every time I shut down the VM I need to change addy
mpack
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Posts: 39134
Joined: 4. Sep 2008, 17:09
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Mostly XP

Re: Is it possible to install/create some type of automatic VM

Post by mpack »

The "program for the VM" is called the guest OS. As was mentioned earlier, the VM is just another PC. Ask yourself how you would automate a PC to save your coupons.
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