How to Setup USB on VirtualBox Guest (Oracle VM).
Oracle’s VM Virtual Box is used by many users to run different operating systems on the same computer in order to run or test programs without affecting the main OS installation.
One of abilities of the VirtualBox is that you can use any USB connected device on the Host machine (e.g. USB disk, USB printer) at the Guest machine. But at a default VirtualBox Guest installation, the USB devices are not recognized from the Guest OS and you have to perform some extra steps needed to fix the USB functionality on VirtualBox.
In this tutorial I'll show you how to properly setup USB Support on a VirtualBox Guest OS in order to access any USB device attached to the Host machine.
How to Enable USB Support and Access USB Devices on Oracle VM VirtualBox Guest Machine.
In order to access USB devices on the VirtualBox Guest, without problems, you have to perform the following steps:
Step 1. Install Guest Additions on the Guest machine.
Step 2. Install Extension Pack on the Host machine.
Step 3. Enable USB 2.0/USB3.0 Support on Virtual Box Guest.
Step 4. Attach USB device(s) on VirtualBox Guest.
Step 1. Install Guest Additions on the Guest machine.
1. From Oracle’s VM VirtualBox main menu, select Devices > Install Guest Additions *
* If the setup program doesn’t start automatically, open Windows Explorer and run it manually. When File explorer opens:
a. Double click at the "CD Drive (X:) VirtualBox Guest additions" to explore its contents.
b. Right click at "VBoxWindowsAdditions" application and from the pop-up menu, choose "Run as administrator".
2. Press Next and then follow the on screen instructions to complete the Guest Additions installation.
3. When the setup is completed, choose Finish and restart your computer.
Step 2. Install Extension Pack on the Host machine.
To enable the USB support (USB 2.0 or 3,0) on the Oracle VM VirtualBox Guest machine, you must install Oracle VM Extension Pack on the Host machine.
1. Shutdown the Guest machine.
2. Download Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack (on Host). *
* If you are using an oldest VirtualBox build then download the extension pack from here.
3. When download is completed, double click to launch the "Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-5.x.x.x.vbox-extpack" installer.
4. Follow the on screen instructions to install the Extension Pack on your computer.
Step 3. Enable USB 2.0/USB3.0 Support on Virtual Box Guest.
The final step is to enable the access of a USB device to the VirtualBox Host Guest OS:
1. Highlight the VirtualBox Guest machine that you want to enable the USB support and select Settings.
2. Choose USB at the left pane and then at the right pane, check the USB 2.0 (or the USB 3.0) support and click OK.
Step 4. Attach USB device(s) on VirtualBox Guest.
1. Start the Guest machine.
2. When the guest OS is loaded, click Devices (from the main VM menu), go to USB submenu and click on the USB device that you want to attach at the Guest OS.
e.g. If you want to access the contents of a USB disk connected on the Host, locate it on the list and then click on it to make it accessible on the Guest OS.
Notes:
1. If you have attached a USB device (e.g. Printer or Camera), then you may need to install additional drivers on the Guest OS, to make the attached device to work properly.
2. Keep in mind that when a USB device, is attached to the Guest OS, is not available at the same time at the Host OS.
3. If you want to detach a USB device (from the Guest OS) go again to Devices > USB menu and click on the USB device that you want to detach.
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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Ed sheeran
November 5, 2021 @ 4:57 am
would be nice if this worked in 2021
i mean 2021 a shitty software should become better
Rob
July 5, 2020 @ 10:05 pm
You saved me. Thanks
Ian Soady
October 26, 2019 @ 5:08 pm
Many thanks, works well. However, I need to reinstall drivers every time I start the VM. Is this normal?
Addy
June 17, 2019 @ 10:11 am
Nice! Thank you
RANDY
May 23, 2019 @ 4:40 am
Very helpful, thank you