Home » Blog » Installing VirtualBox Extension Pack for VirtualBox 6.0

Information

Installing VirtualBox Extension Pack for VirtualBox 6.0

Benhcmark Administrator

02/09/2025

0 Views 0

SaveSavedRemoved 0

Unlock Full VirtualBox Power: Your Guide to Installing the Extension Pack 6.0

If you use VirtualBox for managing your virtual machines, you might not be getting the full experience right out of the box. While the core application is powerful, many of its most advanced and convenient features are locked away in a separate component: the VirtualBox Extension Pack. Installing this pack is a crucial step to unlock the full potential of your virtualization setup.

This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process for installing the Extension Pack for VirtualBox 6.0, ensuring you can access enhanced device support and advanced functionalities.

What Is the VirtualBox Extension Pack?

The VirtualBox Extension Pack is a binary package that adds significant capabilities to the base VirtualBox software. It’s not included in the default installation due to different licensing terms. By installing it, you gain access to a host of enterprise-level and high-performance features.

Key features enabled by the Extension Pack include:

• USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 Support: This is one of the most common reasons for installation. Without the pack, your VMs are limited to slower USB 1.1 speeds, making file transfers and device usage painfully slow.
• VirtualBox RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol): Allows you to remotely connect to and control your virtual machine from another computer, which is invaluable for server management or remote access.
• Disk Image Encryption: A critical security feature, this allows you to encrypt your virtual hard disk images with the AES-256 algorithm, protecting your data if the host machine is compromised.
• Host Webcam Passthrough: Give your virtual machines direct access to the host computer’s webcam.
• Intel PXE Boot ROM: Enables booting a virtual machine directly from a network, a standard practice in enterprise environments.
• NVMe SSD Passthrough: Provides better performance for virtual machines that need to access modern, high-speed NVMe solid-state drives.

Before You Begin: A Crucial Note on Licensing

It is essential to understand that while VirtualBox itself is free and open-source (GPLv2), the VirtualBox Extension Pack is released under a different license called the Personal Use and Evaluation License (PUEL).

This means the Extension Pack is free for personal, educational, or evaluation purposes only. If you plan to use it in a commercial or business environment, you must purchase a commercial license from Oracle. Always ensure you are complying with the correct licensing terms.

How to Install the VirtualBox 6.0 Extension Pack (GUI Method)

This is the simplest and most common method for installation. Follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Verify Your VirtualBox Version

The version of the Extension Pack must exactly match the version of your installed VirtualBox application. A mismatch will cause the installation to fail.

1. Open VirtualBox.
2. In the top menu, go to Help > About VirtualBox…
3. A window will pop up showing the exact version number (e.g., 6.0.24). Make a note of this.

Step 2: Download the Correct Extension Pack

1. Navigate to the official VirtualBox downloads page. Since version 6.0 is an older release, you may need to find the “VirtualBox older builds” section.
2. Locate the download link for the Extension Pack that corresponds precisely to your VirtualBox version.
3. Click the link to download the file. It will have a .vbox-extpack file extension.

Step 3: Install the Extension Pack

1. With VirtualBox open, go to File > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences window, select the Extensions tab.
3. On the right side of the window, click the small “Add” icon (a green plus sign).
4. A file browser will open. Navigate to and select the .vbox-extpack file you just downloaded.
5. VirtualBox will display a confirmation dialog describing the pack. Click Install.
6. You will be prompted to read and agree to the PUEL license terms. Scroll through and click I Agree.
7. Your operating system may ask for an administrator password to proceed. Enter it to authorize the installation.

Once complete, you will see the Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack listed in the Extensions window. You can now close the Preferences and begin using the new features.

Installing via Command Line (For Advanced Users)

For users who prefer the terminal or are automating setups, you can install the Extension Pack using the VBoxManage command.

1. First, download the correct .vbox-extpack file as described above.

2. Open a Terminal (on macOS/Linux) or Command Prompt as an Administrator (on Windows).

3. Use the following command, replacing <path-to-file> with the actual path to your downloaded file:

   sudo VBoxManage extpack install <path-to-file>/Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-6.0.x.vbox-extpack
   

   On Windows, you would run the command without sudo.

4. You will be prompted to agree to the license terms in the terminal. Type y and press Enter to accept.

Final Step: Verify and Secure Your VMs

After a successful installation, it’s a good practice to verify that the new features are available. The easiest way is to open the settings for any virtual machine, go to the USB section, and confirm that you can now select USB 2.0 (EHCI) Controller or USB 3.0 (xHCI) Controller.

With powerful features like disk encryption now available, consider reviewing the security of your existing virtual machines. Encrypting VMs that contain sensitive data is a highly recommended security measure enabled by this pack.

Source: https://kifarunix.com/install-virtualbox-extension-pack-on-virtualbox-6-0/