Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Shared Folder for Virtual Machines in VirtualBox

How to Share Folders Between Windows 10/11 Host and VirtualBox

Last Reviewed: July 31, 2025

Sharing files between your host system on Windows 10 or 11 and a virtual machine (VM) running on VirtualBox can significantly enhance your productivity, especially when installing applications or transferring documents. While drag-and-drop functionality is available, configuring a shared folder is often more reliable. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up shared folders and mapped drives in VirtualBox, ensuring a seamless file transfer experience.

Why Use Shared Folders in VirtualBox?

Using shared folders allows you to easily access files from the host system directly within your virtual machine environment. This is particularly useful when the features to mount ISO files or connect external storage devices fail to function properly. VirtualBox offers straightforward methods to share folders, making it a versatile tool for both casual users and IT professionals.

Step-by-Step Instructions

How to Create a Shared Folder
How to Create a Mapped Drive
Accessing the Shared Folder or Mapped Drive
Removing a Shared Folder or Mapped Drive

Creating a Shared Folder on VirtualBox

Follow these steps to set up a shared folder with your virtual machine:

Launch VirtualBox.
Access Settings: Right-click on your virtual machine and select Settings.
Select Shared Folders: From the menu, click on Shared Folders.
Add New Folder: Right-click on Machine Folders and choose Add new shared folder.
Define Folder Path: In the “Folder path” input, confirm the local directory you wish to share. You can also use the down-arrow to browse and select the folder.
Name Your Folder: In the “Folder Name” field, specify a name for easy identification.
Finalize: Click OK to complete the setup.

After completing these steps, the shared folder will be accessible on your virtual machine’s network section.

Mapping a Drive in VirtualBox

To map a shared folder as a network drive within your VM, follow these instructions:

Open VirtualBox.
Navigate to Settings: Right-click on the desired virtual machine and select Settings.
Choose Shared Folders: Click on the Shared Folders section.
Add New Shared Folder: Right-click on Machine Folders and choose Add new shared folder.
Set Folder Path: Specify the path for sharing. Use the down-arrow for folder browsing if needed.
Name Your Folder: Provide a recognizable name in the “Folder Name” field.
Specify Mount Point: In the “Mount point” field, assign a drive letter (e.g., G:) for the shared folder.
Enable Auto-mount: Check this option to automatically mount the shared folder using the specified drive letter.
Make Permanent: Check this box to retain the mapping even after restarting the virtual machine.
Click OK: Complete the setup.

Upon completion, the folder will be available as a mapped drive in your virtual machine, specifically under the “Network locations” section of the “This PC” view in File Explorer.

Accessing the Shared Folder or Mapped Drive

Your configured folder can be accessed through either the “Network”or “This PC”sections of File Explorer, depending on your setup.

Accessing via Network Page

Open File Explorer.
Navigate to Network: Click on Network.
Access VBOXSVR: Double-click the VBOXSVR device.
Open the Shared Folder: Double-click the shared folder to view its contents.

Now you can seamlessly manage files within that folder.

Accessing via This PC Page

Open File Explorer.
Go to This PC: Click on This PC.
Double-click Drive Letter: Under “Network locations, ” select and double-click the assigned drive letter to access the shared files.

After completing these steps, you will gain access to the contents of the folder or mapped drive.

Removing a Shared Folder or Mapped Drive

To remove a shared folder or mapped drive from VirtualBox, follow these steps:

Open VirtualBox.
Navigate to Settings: Right-click on the virtual machine and select Settings.
Access Shared Folders: Click on the Shared Folders section.
Select and Remove: Pick the shared folder or mapped drive, then click on Remove selected shared folder.

Once you complete these steps, the folder will no longer be accessible from the virtual machine, ensuring your virtual environment remains organized.

Important Update as of July 31, 2025: This article has been revised to reflect the latest procedures and enhancements in VirtualBox for file sharing.

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