How to Add a USB Device to VirtualBox on Windows

VirtualBox is likely one of the most most popular virtualization software program within the trade. It has come a great distance from supporting simply USB 1.0 gadgets to now even USB 3.0 gadgets. However should you take a fast look on the File Explorer or Machine Supervisor in a Windows VM, you will note that the USB gadgets like flash drives don’t present up.

Your keyboard and mouse work advantageous for probably the most part however USB gadgets linked to the host system do not present up within the Windows Digital Machine. Do not lose hope! We’ll elaborate on how one can add a USB gadget to a VirtualBox digital machine.

Why Are USB Gadgets Not Enabled by Default?

Once you join a USB Machine to the host machine, it mounts it and permits you to use it. However so as to use the USB gadget within the Digital Machine, you should unmount it from the host OS after which mount it on the Digital Machine. There may be inbuilt assist so as to add USB gadgets in VirtualBox. However that solely helps USB 1.0 gadgets that are hardly ever in use anymore. Quite the opposite, newer variations of VMWare assist USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 gadgets out of the field.

If you happen to take a look at your USB drives, most of them will probably be both USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 gadgets. However should you attempt to add them in VirtualBox, you will note a “failed to connect the USB gadget [name]” error. You see the error as a result of VirtualBox lacks the binary packages to supply these options.

A easy answer is downloading the VirtualBox Extension Pack that permits the assist for USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 gadgets. Keep in mind that it’s going to allow assist for not simply flash drives but additionally different gadgets akin to community adapters, laborious disks, webcams, and more.

You’ll have to obtain after which set up the VirtualBox Extension Pack in your host system. After that, you’ll have to add the USB gadget utilizing the settings menu of the digital machine. For Windows and Mac, the method of including a USB gadget is GUI oriented. Nonetheless, on Linux, you should do some more effort to mount USB gadgets. Try our information on the VirtualBox vs. VMware Participant to grasp the variations between the 2 virtualization applications.

How to Add a USB Machine to VirtualBox

The method of including a USB gadget to a Windows digital machine in VirtualBox accommodates two steps. First, you should obtain the extension pack and set up it. Then, you will need to allow the assist for USB gadgets and add a tool to the checklist.

1. Obtain and Set up the Extensions Pack

To obtain the VirtualBox extension pack, repeat the next steps.

1. Launch any net browser in your host machine. Then go to the official VirtualBox downloads web page.
2. Scroll down and find the VirtualBox 6.1.32 Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack part. Click on on the All supported platforms button to start the obtain.
3. Open the file obtain location and double-click on the VirtualBox extension pack file. It’ll robotically launch VirtualBox with a pop-up window to start the set up.
4. Click on on the Set up button. Scroll down and settle for the EULA by clicking on the I Agree button.

   

5. UAC will pop up. Click on on the OK button to start the set up.
6. You will note the message describing that the set up was profitable.

   

7. To confirm that the extension pack is now added to the VirtualBox, click on on File > Preferences.
8. Click on on the Extensions choice within the menu. You will note the lately added extension pack with its model identify.

   

2. Add a USB Machine to the Digital Machine

So as to add a USB Machine to the Digital Machine, repeat the next steps.

1. Launch VirtualBox in your system. Proper-click on the Windows digital machine after which choose Settings choices from the context menu.
2. Click on on the USB choice current within the vertical menu. You’ll discover that the Allow USB Controller choice is auto-checked. But it surely solely presents assist for USB 1.1 controller.
3. Then, click on on the USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 controller radio button. Choose the choice matching the technology of the USB gadget you need to connect to the digital machine.
4. Then navigate to the USB gadget filters part and click on on the add USB gadgets icon with a + signal on it.
5. You will note a listing of the out there gadgets. Click on on the USB gadget you need to connect to the digital machine.

   

6. The USB gadget identify will now seem within the USB gadget filters part. You’ll be able to add more gadgets to this checklist. VirtualBox will mount all these gadgets in your digital machine when you begin it.
7. Now, click on on the OK button to save lots of the present settings. Now, choose the digital machine after which click on on the Begin button to energy it up.
8. Anticipate the digital machine in addition up. Open the File Explorer app and click on on This PC. You will note the checklist of all out there storage gadgets together with the USB gadgets you added beforehand.

   

9. If you wish to entry the USB gadget within the host machine, you’ll have to energy off the digital machine first.

Within the case of a USB flash drive, you’ll be able to eject it from the digital machine. It’ll robotically mount on the host OS and can develop into accessible through File Explorer.

How to Take away a USB Machine From a VirtualBox

When you add USB gadgets to a digital machine within the USB settings, VirtualBox will mount them each time you energy on the digital machine. It’ll proceed to take action until you take away the gadgets from the checklist or change the USB controller settings.

This is how to take away a USB gadget from a digital machine in VirtualBox:

1. Launch VirtualBox in your system. Proper-click on the digital machine after which choose Settings choices from the context menu.
2. Click on on the USB choice current within the vertical menu. Scroll right down to the USB gadget filters part.
3. Click on on the USB gadget identify within the checklist to pick out it. Then click on on the Take away chosen USB filter icon (the one with a cross signal).

   

4. Then, click on on the OK button to use modifications and shut the Settings window.
5. Navigate to the highest and click on on the Begin button to energy up the digital machine.
6. OpenFile Explorer and click on on This PC. You’ll discover that the eliminated USB gadget does not present up within the app.

To reattach the USB gadget to the digital machine, you’ll have to add it once more to the USB gadgets filters part.

Add and Use USB Gadgets in VirtualBox Simply

Not like VMWare, VirtualBox does not assist USB 2.0 and three.0 gadgets out of the field. You need to obtain and set up the extension pack after which add every USB gadget to the digital machine. However when you add these gadgets to the checklist, they may develop into usable within the digital machine. Make certain so as to add solely these gadgets which you want within the digital machine.