Share a folder between Windows 8.1 guest and Ubuntu 14.04 host in VirtualBox

Question

I have a computer running Ubuntu 14.04, with Windows 8.1 running inside VirtualBox. I needed Windows for a number of reasons, mainly for Office and OneDrive (school things).

My problem is that I can't seem to create a shared folder between the two computers. I have a folder /home/graham/Windows, that I have set as a shared folder for the guest in VirtualBox.

Edit: In regards to other documentation, most is for Windows has a host and Ubuntu as a guest, or an older version of Windows as a guest. Everything I find says the shared folder should just appear within Windows 8.1, but this is not the case.

When trying to mount \\vboxsvr\Windows within Windows 8.1, it says that the

server can't be accessed.

I have virtualbox guest addons installed on the guest.

Here is a screenshot of the error given by windows when trying to map the network drive:

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Graham

Solution

I normally go into Virtual Box setting for the VM in questions, select the folder to share and set the display name I want, and select permanent and auto-mount in the dialog box. Start the virtual machine and Windows should display your shared folders from the host OS as drive letters just like a mounted network share.

This only works if you have guest tools installed on guest OS.

Hope this helps.

Comments

[grahamhoyes]

I don't get an option for permanent in the dialogue box. I can specify the path of the folder, the display name, set it as read-only (which I don't), and set auto mount. I get the same error in windows as before. And I do have the guest tools installed.

[TuKsn]

@grahamhoyes can you add a screenshot of the error to your question

[Brian Duke]

@grahamhoyes , you are logged in as graham/have read write permission for the folder your trying to mount right?

[grahamhoyes]

@Xubu-Tur I linked the screenshot on imgur, apparently I can't upload photos here yet.

[grahamhoyes]

@user3623501 I am logged in as graham on the host computer yes, and that account has read / write permissions for the folder. Do I need to specify them for the guest OS? And if so, how?

[TuKsn]

@user3623501 You should try this answer askubuntu.com/questions/81757/…