Virtualbox - Transfering Files

rctneil · 5 Sep 2009 at 16:30

Hello,
I use Virtualbox a lot for testing apps and stuff.

I used to use MS Virtual PC whcih allowed you to drag and drop files from the host OS to the guest OS but it seems that Virtualbox will not let you do this.

How can I trasnfer files quickly and easily from the host OS to the guest one?

Could someone post up some easy to follow steps please?

Thanks

Regards,
Neil

theheyes · 5 Sep 2009 at 18:39

What is the host OS and what is the guest OS?

rctneil · 5 Sep 2009 at 19:48

Host is Windows 7 Ultimate RC 64bit

Guest is Windows 7 Professional RTM 64bit

theheyes · 5 Sep 2009 at 20:03

I'm not aware of any drag & drop feature in virtualbox either, so the way I do it is set up a share on either OS and map it to the other. This gives me a shared area to easily move files between the two. I usually create the share on the guest OS.

I always find this a pain to do with the default NAT setting, so in the virtualbox network settings for the guest OS change the "attached to" setting to "bridged adapter". This will make the guest OS get an IP address from your usual DHCP server. Once you know this IP address and create your share, you should be able to just map the drive to your host OS with \\<guest_ip>\<share_name>

nade · 5 Sep 2009 at 21:36

Er, couldn't you just shutdown the VM and setup a shared folder in the settings of the vm?

boosfuk · 5 Sep 2009 at 21:51

nade said:
Er, couldn't you just shutdown the VM and setup a shared folder in the settings of the vm?

Yes, just create a (permanent) shared folder in the VM to point to host folder and map a drive in the guest to point to it (will be something like \\vboxsvr\files)

Pho · 5 Sep 2009 at 21:52

Another option is to setup some shared folders inside virtualbox:

If you're testing out viruses etc then obviously don't give VB write access to folders like downloads to stop it infecting them.

Then inside your VM go to device > install guest additions (I think you need this) and reboot it when done.

Finally, open up a folder and go to tools > map network drive and map a drive to:
\\vboxsvr\[share]
i.e.:
\\vboxsvr\Downloads

And it should(!) work.

It only works if you map the drive.

edit: too slow

theheyes · 6 Sep 2009 at 13:08

You know I've been doing it my way for so long I didn't even know that option was there. Amazing what your brain can filter out when you're not looking for it. :rolleyes:

Good tip though!