Oracle VirtualBox

Oracle VirtualBox is a desktop virtualization application for creating and running guest operating systems on a supported host computer. It suits developers, testers and learners who need isolated test machines, alternate operating-system environments or reproducible labs. You supply the guest installer, appropriate guest OS license, memory and storage; the download does not include a licensed Windows installation.

Virtual machines and tools

Create VMs with virtual disks, configure CPU and memory allocation, and choose supported networking modes. VirtualBox Manager provides a graphical view of machines and their settings, while VBoxManage offers command-line management. Snapshots, cloning and appliance import/export help manage test environments. Guest Additions installed inside a supported guest can provide tighter integration such as shared folders and clipboard features. Guest Additions are separate from the host Extension Pack and their feature availability varies by guest and CPU platform.

Snapshots and differencing disks are not independent backups. Deleting or losing a parent disk can affect dependent images. Allocate adequate RAM and disk space for both host and guests, and keep separate backups of important VM data. Shared folders, clipboard, drag-and-drop, network bridging and USB access can expose host resources to a guest; enable only the integrations you need.

Mac installation and CPU limitations

Install the virtualbox Homebrew Cask or use Oracle's DMG for your host architecture. The Mac disk image contains VirtualBox.pkg, which installs the application and supporting components; administrator authorization can be required. The recorded 7.2.20 build175154 Apple Silicon DMG is 158,931,979 bytes by official HTTP HEAD. Intel and Apple Silicon packages are distinct. Download size is separate from VM disks and installed usage.

The current 7.2 manual lists macOS 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia and 26 Tahoe for Intel and Apple Silicon hosts. The Cask metadata declares no numeric macOS minimum and explicitly conflicts with virtualbox@6 and virtualbox@beta. Choose the supported package and guest combination instead of treating the lack of a Cask minimum as support for every Mac.

On an ARM host, Oracle supports ARM guest operating systems, not x86 guest operating systems. VirtualBox is not a general Intel-to-ARM CPU emulator, and installing Rosetta does not remove this documented guest limitation. The 7.2 guide lists VMSVGA as the supported ARM graphics controller, no unattended installation, and unavailable chipset, TPM and nested VT-x/AMD-V settings for ARM guests. Consult the current guest matrix and limitations before planning Windows or Linux use; guest feature parity with Intel is not guaranteed.

Host access and coexistence

Virtualization and network integration need host-specific system components and permissions. Follow the current Oracle installer and macOS authorization prompts for the exact package. Do not apply old Intel kernel-extension instructions or Linux kernel-module requirements to every modern Apple Silicon Mac. The Mac installation instructions use a system package; this is distinct from an ordinary app that is simply dragged into Applications.

Running another hypervisor or VM product concurrently can affect available virtualization resources and compatibility. The Cask's explicit conflicts concern other VirtualBox versions; they are not proof that every other hypervisor combination is supported. Use the vendor's documented host configuration, shut down guests before upgrades, and review saved-state compatibility. Oracle warns that ARM VM saved states from 7.1 are incompatible with 7.2, including snapshots containing such states.

Base license and optional Extension Pack

The VirtualBox base package is free open-source software under GPL version 3, subject to its license notices and exceptions. Local base-package use does not require an Oracle subscription or account. Guest operating systems, applications and commercial support can require separate licenses or payment.

The Oracle VirtualBox Extension Pack is a separate binary with additional functionality and separate terms. Its PUEL license permits the defined personal and educational uses and evaluation; it is not the base package's GPL license and does not automatically authorize all commercial or organizational use. Obtain the appropriate commercial license where required, and install a matching supported Extension Pack version only if you need its features. The Homebrew base Cask does not grant a paid Extension Pack entitlement. Review the current agreement rather than assuming free download means unrestricted business use.

Windows, Linux and Solaris host packages have separate system requirements. A supported host alone does not guarantee support for every guest, driver or hardware feature.

Official sources: Downloads and licenses, 7.2 installation and host requirements, 7.2 change log, Licensing manual.