How to upgrade VirtualBox to the latest version?

Question

I am currently using VirtualBox 3.2. I would like to upgrade it to latest version without losing any operating systems in it. How can I achieve this?

Solution 1

Head on over to this page and download the Ubuntu package for your version / architecture.

Be sure to get the VirtualBox extension pack too. (This provides USB 2.0 and RDP support.) The most recent version can be found on the VirtualBox Downloads page.

Solution 2

Add one line to your /etc/apt/sources.list:

deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian maverick contrib

The Oracle public key for apt-secure can be downloaded here. You can add this key with

wget -q http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian/oracle_vbox.asc -O- | sudo apt-key add - 

To install VirtualBox, do

sudo apt-get update 
sudo apt-get install virtualbox-4.0

Solution 3

You should be able to upgrade virtualbox from the ppa available from virtualbox directly.

There is also a good ppa if you want to make sure you keep the open source edition (ose):

https://launchpad.net/~debfx/+archive/virtualbox

Comments

[Code.Decode]

+1 From experience I know that you won't loose your Virtual Machines when you do this

[Takkat]

I can confirm this. VBox 3.2 needs to be removed before installing 4.0 but you will not loose any vdi :)

[aneeshep]

i can also confirm this. I have upgraded to virtualbox 4 yesterday. working fine with compiz.

[Javier Rivera]

It's better to add the repo if you can. I have updated my own machine without problems.

[Lekensteyn]

The link to the VirtualBox extension pack is outdated. The current version is 4.0.2 which can be found at virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

[Nathan Osman]

@Lek: You can edit my answer.

[Lekensteyn]

@George Edison: Done :)

[Mike]

broken links, -1

[Martin Owens -doctormo-]

You could have just asked me to fix it.

[Sanam Patel]

+1 Or easier still, just edit the answer with the new link...

[Oli]

@MartinOwens-doctormo- Anyone can suggest an edit. Even unauthenticated people.