Launching the installation image of the system is often interrupted by an error VERR_VMX_MSR_ALL_VMX_DISABLED or hangs at the initial stage if hardware virtualization is not activated in the motherboard BIOS. It is this setting that is the critical barrier that prevents the emulator from working correctly Oracle VM VirtualBox and loading the guest operating system. Without enabling the appropriate technologies (Intel VT-x or AMD-V), the processor blocks the creation of a virtual environment, considering it a potential security threat or simply an unavailable function.
The status of this option is checked before entering the main operating system, usually by pressing the F2, Del or F10 keys when the computer starts. In the BIOS menu you need to find the partition associated with the processor and change the parameter Virtualization Technology in a state Enabled. Only after saving the changes and rebooting will the software emulator have direct access to the processor instructions, which will allow it to run Windows without critical failures.
In parallel with the hardware settings, you should make sure the integrity of the installation file itself ISO, since a corrupted image also causes the virtual machine to terminate immediately. It is recommended to download distributions exclusively from the official resources of the developer in order to prevent the introduction of malicious code or bad sectors into the file structure.
Preparing software and system image
The first step for successful emulation is to download the current version of the distribution from the official website of the developer Oracle. It is important to choose a version that matches the bitness of your main operating system, although modern 64-bit versions of the emulator allow you to run 32-bit guest OSes, subject to hardware support conditions.
After installing the program, you will need the operating system image itself. For users Windows 10 and Windows 11 the most reliable source is the service Microsoft Software Download, where you can legally generate a fresh ISO file. Using old or modified assemblies may result in unstable operation of drivers within the virtual circuit.
- 📥 Download the VirtualBox Extension Pack installer to expand USB and video functionality.
- 💿 Download a blank Windows ISO image from the Microsoft website.
- 🔒 Check file checksums to eliminate recording errors.
⚠️ Attention: Installing extensions (Extension Pack) requires a version of the emulator that completely matches the version of the main application. mismatch versions will result in a launch error.
Where to get license keys
The license key can be entered during installation or later in the system settings. For testing purposes, Windows often allows you to run in trial mode with limited personalization functionality.
Creating and configuring virtual machine settings
After launching the application, click the button Create in the control menu. In the wizard that opens, you must specify the name of the future machine, which will automatically determine the type and version of the guest OS. For modern systems, it is important to select the correct item in the list so that the optimal default settings are activated.
The key step is resource allocation. RAM is allocated using a slider, and it is important not to overdo it here: it is recommended to give the virtual machine no more than 50% of the total RAM of the host system, otherwise the main computer will begin to lack resources and slow down. For comfortable work Windows 10/11 It is advisable to allocate at least 4 GB, but it is better to focus on the capabilities of your hardware.
When creating a virtual hard disk, you should select the format VDI and dynamic size. The dynamic type allows the disk file to grow as it fills with data, without immediately taking up all the reserved space on the physical media. The minimum recommended size for the system partition is 64 GB, which provides space for updates and temporary files.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Minimum value | Performance Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAM | 4096 MB | 2048 MB | High |
| Video memory | 128 MB | 32 MB | Average |
| Processor (cores) | 2 cores | 1 core | Critical |
| Disk (size) | 64 GB | 32 GB | Low (place only) |
⚠️ Attention: Do not allocate all available processor cores to the virtual machine. Leave at least one core to serve the processes of the main operating system, otherwise the host interface will become unresponsive.
Hardware configuration and image connection
Before launching the installer, you must configure the virtual hardware through the menu Customize. In the section System > Processor make sure it's on PAE/NX, which is necessary to install 64-bit versions of Windows. Also in the section Motherboard It is worth unchecking the floppy disk option, since this controller is not used today and only slows down the boot.
The most important point is to connect the ISO image. Go to section Carriers, select an empty optical drive and on the right side of the window specify the path to the previously downloaded distribution file. After confirming the settings, the system is ready for the first start.
☑️ Check before launch
Additionally in the section Display You should increase the video memory slider to the maximum value (usually 128 MB) and enable 3D acceleration. This will ensure smooth rendering of the interface Windows and will allow you to use graphic effects without delays. Without this step, the desktop may not display correctly or have a low frame rate.
Operating system installation process
Click the button Launch to start the virtual machine. If the settings are correct, the bootloader logo will appear on a black screen and the installer files will begin copying. At this point, the emulator takes control of the keyboard and mouse, so the cursor may get stuck inside the guest OS window.
After selecting your language and layout, click Install. At the stage of choosing the installation type, be sure to indicate Selective (for a clean installation), even if the disk is empty. This will allow you to create a new partition structure and avoid conflicts with possible residual data.
- 🖱️ To return the cursor to the main window, use the right Ctrl.
- ⌨️ Full screen mode is activated by the combination Host + F.
- 🔍 The interface scale changes through Host + C (guest scaling).
The process of copying files and preparing devices takes from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the speed of your physical drive and the allocated resources. During installation, the system will reboot several times and the interface may temporarily switch between windows, which is normal behavior.
Use Don't Ask mode when capturing the keyboard if you frequently switch between windows to avoid constant hotkey notifications.
Installing Guest Additions
After loading the desktop for the first time Windows You will notice low screen resolution and lack of access to shared folders. This happens because standard video adapter drivers do not have the necessary functionality. To fix the situation you need to install the package Guest Additions.
From the virtual machine window menu, select Devices > Mount the Guest OS Additions disk image. Inside the Windows guest, open My Computer, find the new CD drive and run the installer VBoxWindowsAdditions.exe. Agree to install the drivers and reboot the virtual machine.
⚠️ Attention: If your antivirus blocks the installation of video adapter drivers, temporarily disable the protection or add the process to exceptions, since the drivers are digitally signed by Oracle and are safe.
After the reboot, the screen resolution should automatically adjust to the window size, and the VirtualBox control icon will appear in the tray. The Drag'n'Drop function and shared clipboard are now available, which greatly simplifies the interaction between the main and virtual systems.
Without installing Guest Additions, the virtual machine will run slowly, without support for high resolution and shared folders, which makes operation extremely inconvenient.
Optimization and solving common problems
To improve performance, you can disable unnecessary effects in the Windows, for example, visual window decorations if host resources are limited. It is also recommended to enable NVME controller instead of SATA for the system disk, if the guest OS supports this standard, which will speed up work with the disk.
A common problem is time desynchronization. In the section settings System > Motherboard Make sure the "Synchronize host time" checkbox is checked. This will prevent errors when connecting to Internet services and updating the system.
- ⚙️ Disable disk indexing inside the guest OS to reduce CPU load.
- 🗑️ Clean up temporary files regularly to avoid bloating your VDI file size.
- 💾 Take snapshots (snapshots of the state) before installing major updates.
If the virtual machine is running slowly, check to see if the host's antivirus is running a real-time scan of the virtual disk file. Adding the folder with virtual machines to antivirus exclusions often gives a performance boost of up to 20%.
What to do if there is no sound
In the virtual machine settings, go to the "Audio" section and make sure that the audio controller is enabled and your real playback device is selected as the host audio driver.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to run Windows 11 on VirtualBox without TPM 2.0?
Yes, you can. The latest versions of VirtualBox (7.0+) introduce TPM emulation. When creating a machine, select Windows 11 and the emulator will automatically add a virtual TPM. If you are using an older version, you can run the installer with a modified registry that bypasses the check, but this is less secure.
Why is the virtual machine running very slowly?
The main reasons: hardware virtualization is not enabled in the BIOS, little RAM is allocated, Guest Additions are not installed, or the host antivirus is scanning the disk file. Also, the speed depends on the type of physical disk (HDD vs SSD).
How to transfer a large file from the main PC to the virtual one?
The fastest way is to configure "Shared Folders" in the machine settings. Specify the path on the host and it will appear as a network drive inside the Windows guest. An alternative is to use a USB flash drive through the device menu.
Can I play games on virtual Windows?
Only very old or simple 2D games. VirtualBox does not provide full access to 3D acceleration of the video card (DirectX 11/12 are supported to a limited extent). For games, it is better to use other solutions or run them natively.