Introduction
VirtualBox has excellent features, and it provides the VirtualBox Extension Pack for extending the basic functionalities of the software. Having a remote console to run your VMs or testing a USB device cross-platform are just some examples that can improve your experience.
In this article, you will get step-by-step instructions on how to install the VirtualBox Extension Pack on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Prerequisites
- Installed and updated Oracle VM VirtualBox
- Downloaded VirtualBox Extension Pack binary file
- CLI interface
- VBoxManage for installing via CLI
Note: If you need to install VirtualBox, check out one of our guides:
What is VirtualBox Extension Pack?
The VirtualBox Extension Pack is a package that broadens the basic functionalities of VirtualBox.
Refer to the table for the description of the features this package contains:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 device support | Allows physical USB devices usage in your virtual environment. |
| Host webcam pass-through | Use the host webcam on a guest operating system, even if drivers are not available. |
| VirtualBox Remote Desktop Protocol (VRDP) | Connect to a remote VM through the VirtualBox interface. |
| Disk image encryption | Encrypt, protect, and move stored sensitive data safely. |
| Intel PXE Boot ROM | Boot up a VM using an emulated PXE boot ROM for installing an operating system. |
Method 1: Install VirtualBox Extension Pack via GUI
VirtualBox GUI works the same cross-platform, and installing the Virtual Box Extension Pack is similar for any OS.
1. Open the VirtualBox GUI.
2. Click the Preferences icon:
3. Navigate to the Extensions tab and click the Add New Package button on the right side. Then, locate the extension pack file on your computer.
4. Review the description in the dialogue box and click Install.
5. Read the license agreement, click Agree, and follow the installation instructions.
When the wizard finishes copying files and completes the installation, the VirtualBox Extension Pack appears on the list of extension packages.
Method 2: Install VirtualBox Extension Pack via CLI
Use VBoxManage to install the Virtual Box Extension pack on any OS.
Note: VBoxManage is a tool for managing VirtualBox and VMs via CLI. It comes by default with VirtualBox.
Install VirtualBox Extension Pack via Command Prompt on Windows
1. Open the Command Prompt.
2. Navigate to the default VirtualBox installation directory using the cd command:
3. Then, install the VirtualBox Extension pack using the VBoxManage tool:
VBoxManage extpack install <path to file/file name.file extension>For example, if your file is in the Downloads folder, enter:
VBoxManage extpack install C:\users\milicad\Downloads\Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-6.1.16.vbox-extpack
4. Lastly, read the license terms and conditions and press Y to accept.
The “Successfully Installed” message appears when the process finishes.
Install VirtualBox Extension Pack via Terminal on macOS
1. Open the terminal. Pressing CMD+Space and search for terminal.
2. Install the VirtualBox Extension Pack using the VBoxManage tool with sudo privileges:
sudo VBoxManage extpack install <path to file/file name.file extension>3. Press Y to accept the license terms and conditions and start the installation.
The “Successfully Installed” message appears when the installation finishes.
Install VirtualBox Extension Pack via Terminal on Linux
1. Open the terminal and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the extension pack binary file:
cd <path to file>2. Next, using the VBoxManage tool, install the extension pack with sudo privileges:
sudo VBoxManage extpack install --replace <file name.file extension>The --replace flag replaces any previous versions of the package if there are any.
3. Follow the installation instructions and accept the license terms and conditions by pressing Y.
4. Finally, verify that the extension pack installed correctly by running:
VBoxManage list extpacksNote: Learn more about VirtualBox by reading our unbiased comparison article Virtualbox Vs VMware.
Conclusion
Now you have VirtualBox Extension Pack installed and ready to use on VirtualBox. This package adds great functionalities and features that you need for advanced VM usage.
Read our guide on How to Install Kali Linux in VirtualBox to test out the functionalities of the VirtualBox Extension Pack.
