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Though there are some free virtualization tools available, most have limitations. VirtualBox is a free open-source virtualization tool powerful enough for enterprise systems yet easy enough for home users. It runs in Windows editions 95 to 7, Mac OS X, Solaris, and Linux, and it supports a wide range of guest operating systems, including MS-DOS, early versions of Windows, and OpenBSD.
VirtualBox's wizard-based interface simplifies the creation and management of virtual machines (VMs). The tabbed main display is paired with a side panel listing all existing VMs. Control icons labeled New, Settings, Start, and Discard handle all functions, and tabs for Details, Snapshot, and Description display information about any selected VM. We clicked New to create a new VM to install Ubuntu, the free Linux-based OS, within Windows 7 to test VirtualBox's ability to host multiple operating systems without making drastic changes. The wizard let us select the operating system (Linux) and version (Ubuntu) we planned to install during the creation, as well as specify the amount of RAM to allocate for the new VM. Next we created a new virtual hard disk, though you can select an existing bootable disk image. You can choose to create either a fixed or dynamically expanding disk; we chose the latter. If you need more RAM or disk space, the Settings icon accesses these options as well as other settings like audio, USB, and serial ports. When everything was ready, we clicked Start, followed the First Run Wizard, and created a custom-configured VM ready to host our new OS. Surprisingly, VirtualBox even had a wizard for that. While you're using your VM, you can always exit back to the host system instantly with a specified keystroke.
VirtualBox was developed by Innotek, which is now part of Oracle, and VirtualBox is part of Oracle's extensive support system. Add the advantages of open-source development and the fact that's its totally free to both enterprise-level developers and home users, and it amounts to a strong recommendation.
Publisher's Description
From Oracle:
VirtualBox is a family of x86 virtualization products for enterprise as well as home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature rich, high performance product for enterprise customers, it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL).
VirtualBox runs on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux and supports a large number of guest operating systems including but not limited to Windows, DOS or Windows 3.x, Linux (2.4 and 2.6), and OpenBSD.
What's new in this version: Version 4.2.12 has fixed a bug when empty seamless screens were represented by fullscreen windows.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 40 votes
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Current version:
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"Free alternative to vmware"
Version: VirtualBox 4.2.10
Pros
Free!
Easy Setup
Several wizards make config simple
pop-ups provide context useful hintsCons
Performance not quite as good as vmware
no quite as "polished" as vmwareSummary
Best summed up as the best free virtual desktop available. Not as polished as vmware but it gets the job done. I would suggest trying it before spending any money. My guess is it will do what you need.
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"WOW.Better than W7 XPmode.Ran 3VMs of W8 in W7 perfect!"
Version: VirtualBox 4.2.6
Pros
Worked flawlessly to run Win8, Win7, and XP. I could access drives, folders, printers, scanners... So easy to use. Going to try other OSes soon.
Cons
For FREE it has done all I wanted it to do and smoothly.
Summary
Glad I ran across an articel on this tool that was referring to run Windows8 on a Win7 box.
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"Excellent, works very well!"
Version: VirtualBox 4.2.6
Pros
Once you figure out how to set up this software it works very well, right now i'm running Windows 8 using this software, computer actually seems to run faster!
Cons
There're are no cons once you figure out the settings.
Summary
I'm very happy with this software!
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"Good for running other OS's"
Version: VirtualBox 4.2.6
Pros
Installs other OS's fast and uses allows the guest OS to use the hardware properly. Nice customization and easy settings configurations.
Cons
None so far
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"Turns a Win7 laptop into a classic gaming powerhouse"
Version: VirtualBox 4.2.4
Pros
Free
Easy to use once configuredCons
Initial configuration of the virtual appliances can be tricky
Summary
I currently run the following, both locally and over my network to several computers at home, all from a dual core laptop with 6GB of RAM:
Windows XP (OEM and Legacy)
OpenSuSE 11.4
Lubuntu 10.04
AndroidX86
FreeBSD 7.1
Knoppix-Debian 7.0.1
MS-DOS
OSX86
Obviously, the more complicated platforms such as OSX and the latest Linuxes are not going to run anywhere near the performance you'd get from running native, however the DOS appliance I'm running so far outperforms native mode on an APM machine I have to throttle CPU duty cycles back to *slow it down*. -
"Great tool"
Version: VirtualBox 4.2
Pros
works as advertised
Cons
a little complicated
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"Virtual Machine running on a Virtual Machine!"
Version: VirtualBox 4.1.8
Pros
FREE.
Open source.
Runs on Windows XP mode in Windows 7 (a lot of programs don't).
So many OSs you can create VMs for.
Can run on just about ANY OS.
Allows you to run classic games flawlessly.Cons
Had to install twice, but it didn't take long, so it didn't annoy me.
Requires an installation disk for some OSs.Summary
I decided to do this originally to see if it was possible to run a virtual machine on a virtual machine. Ironically, it works. I think that is just so funny.
It's a great, open source, free program that works on just about any OS you can think of. I love this program. I can now boot into Windows 95 so I can play classic games.
I don't like having to have the OS install disk, but playing classic games without glitches is worth it-big time. -
"Very Good / Muy Bueno"
Version: VirtualBox 4.1.8
Pros
Third time I use, I've tried to WIN7/MAC/LINUX
Fast with Win7 / RApido con Win7
Very good performance! / Alto Desempe#o!Cons
NA for now. NA por ahora.
Summary
Testing for my I.T. department! / Test para mi departamento de I.T.!
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"works great"
Version: VirtualBox 4.1.4
Pros
works well, nice design, runs well
Cons
somewhat difficult to configure at first without specific directions
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"Decent alternative to Virtual C"
Version: VirtualBox 4.1.2
Pros
Works more seamlessly than VPC.
Cons
It is a bit challenging to initially configure.
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