VirtualBox is a free program from Oracle that lets you create and run virtual machines on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC. Each virtual machine is a complete computer running in a window, so you can try Linux, run an old version of Windows, or test software without touching your real PC.
Installing VirtualBox takes about five minutes. There are two downloads: VirtualBox itself, and the optional Extension Pack. I’ll walk you through both, and through the two warnings that make most people stop and wonder if something has gone wrong.
The one thing you need in place first is virtualisation. It’s a setting in your PC’s UEFI/BIOS rather than in Windows, and most modern PCs have it turned on already. If yours doesn’t, here’s how to enable virtualisation on a PC.
Checked November 2026
The latest version is VirtualBox 7.2.22, released on 20 October 2026. My screenshots are from VirtualBox 7.0, so a few screens look slightly different in 7.2, mainly where you install the Extension Pack. I’ve covered both.
The Short Version
- Download VirtualBox for Windows hosts from the VirtualBox downloads page.
- Run the setup file and click Next through the screens, leaving the settings at their defaults.
- Click Yes to the Network Interfaces warning and the Missing Dependencies Python Core warning.
- Click Install, then Finish.
- Optional: install the Extension Pack from Extensions in VirtualBox.
Table of contents
What You Need Before You Install VirtualBox
- A 64-bit Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC. VirtualBox 7.2 also runs on Windows PCs with Arm processors, such as some Copilot+ laptops, but Oracle still calls that experimental.
- Virtualisation turned on in your PC’s UEFI/BIOS (Intel VT-x or AMD-V). VirtualBox won’t start a virtual machine without it.
- An administrator account, because VirtualBox installs drivers.
- Free disk space for your virtual machines. VirtualBox itself is small, but each virtual machine needs its own space. A Windows 11 virtual machine needs at least 64 GB.
Download VirtualBox and Extension Pack
Always download VirtualBox from the official site, the VirtualBox downloads page. You’ll see two things you might want:
- Windows hosts. This is VirtualBox itself, a file called something like VirtualBox-7.2.22-Win.exe with a build number in the name.
- Extension Pack. Click Accept and download to agree to its licence. The file ends in .vbox-extpack.
Keep the Versions Matching
The Extension Pack must be the same version as VirtualBox. If you install VirtualBox 7.2.22, use the 7.2.22 Extension Pack. When you update VirtualBox later, update the Extension Pack too.
How to Install VirtualBox on a Windows Computer
Installing VirtualBox is easy, with just a couple of screens that are worth knowing about before you see them.
- Open the VirtualBox setup file from your browser’s downloads, or find it in your Downloads folder and double-click it.
- If User Account Control asks whether to allow the app to make changes, click Yes.
- On the Welcome to the Oracle VirtualBox setup screen, click Next.
- Accept the licence terms and click Next.
Installation Settings
- On the Custom Setup screen, leave everything set to the defaults and click Next.
- Warning: Network Interfaces. It’s written in red and looks scary, but it’s only telling you that your internet connection will drop for a few seconds while VirtualBox adds its virtual network adapter. Click Yes.
- Missing Dependencies Python Core / win32api. Unless you plan to control VirtualBox with Python scripts, you can safely ignore this. Click Yes.
- Choose which shortcuts you want and click Next.
Click Install and Start Oracle VirtualBox
Now click the Install button. If Windows asks whether you’d like to install device software from Oracle, click Install there too.
After a minute or two, depending on the speed of your PC, VirtualBox finishes installing. Leave the Start Oracle VirtualBox option ticked and click Finish.
How to Install the VirtualBox Extension Pack
Do You Still Need the Extension Pack?
For most people, no. Older guides (including the first version of this one) said you needed it to run virtual machines properly. That’s no longer true.
Oracle has been moving the Extension Pack’s features into VirtualBox itself. USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 support moved across in VirtualBox 7.0. In 7.2, the NVMe controller, the virtual webcam, remote desktop (VRDP), smartcard support and disk encryption followed, the last of them in January 2026.
So a plain VirtualBox install runs Windows and Linux virtual machines perfectly well. Installing the Extension Pack doesn’t do any harm, though, and it’s free for personal and educational use. Businesses need a paid licence from Oracle.
Extension Pack or Guest Additions?
They’re easy to mix up. The Extension Pack goes on your PC. The Guest Additions go inside each virtual machine, and they’re what make the screen resize, the mouse move smoothly and copy and paste work. Those you do want. Here’s how to install VirtualBox Guest Additions.
Install the Extension Pack
- In VirtualBox 7.2, click Extensions in the toolbar on the left of the VirtualBox Manager. In VirtualBox 7.0 or 7.1, click the three-line menu (☰) beside Tools and choose Extensions.
- Click the Install button.
- Go to where you saved the Extension Pack (probably your Downloads folder), select it, and click Open.
- VirtualBox warns you about installing extension packs from anywhere other than the official site. Since yours came from virtualbox.org, click Install.
- Scroll to the bottom of the licence, then click I Agree. The button doesn’t work until you’ve scrolled all the way down.
- Click Yes if User Account Control asks. A moment later, the Extension Pack appears in the list.
In VirtualBox 7.0 and 7.1, click the menu beside Tools again and choose Welcome to get back to the start screen.
Troubleshooting VirtualBox Installation Problems
If the installation didn’t go to plan, it’s nearly always one of these.
VirtualBox Needs the Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 Redistributable
VirtualBox 7 needs some Microsoft programming files that not every PC has. If the installer says it needs the Microsoft Visual C++ 2019 Redistributable Package:
- Go to Microsoft’s Visual C++ Redistributable downloads page.
- Download the X64 version of the latest redistributable. It includes the 2019 files VirtualBox is asking for.
- Install it, restart your PC, then run the VirtualBox installer again.
Missing Dependencies Python Core / win32api Won’t Go Away
This warning doesn’t stop VirtualBox working. It only matters if you want to control VirtualBox with Python scripts, which almost nobody at home does. Click Yes and carry on.
If you do want Python support, install Python from python.org first. Then open Command Prompt as administrator, type this command, press Enter, and run the VirtualBox installer again:
py -m pip install pywin32Lost Internet Connection After Installing
VirtualBox resets your network connection while it adds its virtual network adapter. It normally comes back within a few seconds. If it doesn’t, restart your PC.
Installation Failed! Fatal Error During Installation
- Close VirtualBox and any running virtual machines, then restart your PC.
- Right-click the setup file and choose Run as administrator.
- If you’re updating an older version, uninstall it first from Settings, Apps, then restart and install the new version. Your virtual machines are kept.
The Extension Pack Won’t Install
Check the Extension Pack is exactly the same version as VirtualBox. You’ll find your version under Help, About VirtualBox. If I Agree stays greyed out, scroll right to the bottom of the licence.
VT-x Is Not Available When You Start a Virtual Machine
This one appears after the install, the first time you start a virtual machine. It means virtualisation is turned off in your UEFI/BIOS. Follow my guide to turning on virtualisation (VT-x or AMD-V) and try again.
If you see a small green turtle in the status bar at the bottom of the virtual machine’s window, VirtualBox is running on top of Windows’ own Hyper-V. Your virtual machine will still work, just more slowly.
What to Do After Installing VirtualBox
VirtualBox is ready, so now for the fun part:
- Create your first virtual machine. Follow my guides to set up a Windows 11 virtual machine in VirtualBox or install a Windows 10 virtual machine in VirtualBox.
- Install the Guest Additions inside each new virtual machine. Here’s how to install Guest Additions.
- Back it up once it’s set up the way you like. Here’s how to back up a VirtualBox virtual machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is VirtualBox free?
A: Yes. VirtualBox is free for everyone, including businesses. Only the optional Extension Pack has limits: it’s free for personal and educational use, and businesses need a paid licence.
Q: How long does it take to install VirtualBox?
A: About five minutes, including the download. The installation itself usually takes a minute or two.
Q: Does VirtualBox work on Windows 11?
A: Yes. VirtualBox 7.2 runs on 64-bit Windows 11 and Windows 10. Windows PCs with Arm processors are supported too, but Oracle still calls that experimental.
Q: Do I need the VirtualBox Extension Pack?
A: Not usually. Since VirtualBox 7.0, USB 2.0 and 3.0 are built in, and VirtualBox 7.2 added remote desktop, disk encryption and webcam support. Most home users don’t need the Extension Pack any more.
Q: What’s the difference between the Extension Pack and Guest Additions?
A: The Extension Pack goes on your PC. Guest Additions go inside each virtual machine and give you screen resizing, shared folders and copy and paste between the virtual machine and your PC.
Q: Is it safe to ignore Missing Dependencies Python Core / win32api?
A: Yes. It only matters if you want to control VirtualBox with Python scripts. VirtualBox works normally without it.
Q: Can I use VirtualBox with Hyper-V turned on?
A: Yes, but virtual machines run more slowly. When VirtualBox is running on top of Hyper-V, you’ll see a small green turtle in the status bar at the bottom of the virtual machine’s window.
Q: Will uninstalling VirtualBox delete my virtual machines?
A: No. Your virtual machines are kept in the VirtualBox VMs folder inside your user folder. Reinstall VirtualBox and they’ll be there.
Q: Should I use VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Pro?
A: Both are free. VirtualBox is open source and simple to start with. VMware Workstation Pro is free for everyone too, and here’s how to download Workstation Pro if you’d like to try it.
Summary
That’s all there is to it. VirtualBox is installed, the Extension Pack is there if you wanted it, and you’re ready to create your first virtual machine.
Have fun.
Related Guides
How to Set Up a Windows 11 Virtual Machine in VirtualBox
Build a Windows 11 virtual machine step by step.
How to Install a Windows 10 Virtual Machine in VirtualBox
The same job for Windows 10.
How to Import a VHD File into VirtualBox
Already have a virtual hard disk? Here’s how to use it in VirtualBox.
How to Setup a Windows 11 VM on VirtualBox
Windows 11 runs great on VirtualBox. You can use it even if your current PC doesn’t meet the system requirements.
You can find this and other related step by step guides in – At Home Computer VirtualBox Guides
Written by Jeff Porter. I’ve been fixing Windows PCs since 2010 and I’m CompTIA Network+ certified. More about me