install guest additions software

[bilsch]

Under the Devices menu I see the option: insert guest additions CD image

This semi-permanently puts the CD image in my optical drive and uses the software from there. Is there any way to INSTALL the guest additions software - and be done with any further need of the CD image in the optical drive? Please tell me how.

TIA. Bill S.

[BillG]

In fact the vm does not (and cannot) "use the software from there". The guest additions are installed from the ISO into the guest OS to make the OS work better in a vm. Once the installation takes place you can dismount the ISO file from the drive.

If the additions do not auto-install (ie if the install program does not auto-run), you need to manually run the install program.

[scottgus1]

This semi-permanently puts the CD image in my optical drive

It's only permanent until you eject it. Works the same way a physical CD drive works - the disc stays inside until you tell it to pop out. On the guest's menu bar, see the Devices menu, Optical Drives, Remove disk from virtual drive.

To install the Guest Additions without using the CD drive at all, you'd need to get the installer into the guest with a real network, via Virtualbox Host-Only or Bridged. Install an ISO opener on your host OS, and open the Guest Additions ISO. Transfer the files in the ISO through a shared folder on the network into the guest, then run the installer in the guest.