How to Download and Install VirtualBox on Windows 10 & 11

To download and install VirtualBox on Windows 10 or 11, go to virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads, click Windows hosts to download the installer, then run the .exe file and follow the setup wizard prompts. The entire process takes about two minutes and gives you a free, full-featured virtual machine manager.

Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 16, 2026

Key Takeaways

• VirtualBox is a free, open-source virtualization tool from Oracle that lets you run multiple operating systems on one PC.
• The installer is straightforward — download, run, click through a few prompts, and you’re done.
• You may need to enable virtualization in your BIOS before creating your first virtual machine.

Quick Steps

1. Go to virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads and click Windows hosts.
2. Run the downloaded .exe file and click Next through the setup wizard.
3. Accept the network interface warning, click Install, then Finish.

Download VirtualBox

Head to the official VirtualBox downloads page and click Windows hosts under “VirtualBox platform packages.” This downloads a single .exe installer — no extraction or additional files needed.

Install VirtualBox

Once the download finishes, double-click the installer to launch the setup wizard. Click Next on the welcome screen and keep the default installation location unless you have a reason to change it.

During installation, you’ll see a warning that VirtualBox needs to install network interfaces, which will temporarily disconnect your internet connection. Click Yes to continue — the disconnection only lasts a few seconds.

If the installer prompts you about missing dependencies, click Yes to install them automatically. Then click Install to begin the installation. When it finishes, leave the “Start Oracle VirtualBox after installation” checkbox selected and click Finish.

Enable Virtualization (If Needed)

Before you can run virtual machines, your CPU’s hardware virtualization feature (VT-x for Intel, AMD-V for AMD) needs to be enabled. Most modern PCs ship with this turned on, but if VirtualBox throws a “VT-x is not available” error when you try to start a VM, you’ll need to enable it in your BIOS/UEFI settings.

I have a dedicated guide that walks through the process step by step: How to Enable Virtualization on Windows 10 and 11.

Creating Your First Virtual Machine

With VirtualBox installed, you’re ready to create your first VM. Click New in the VirtualBox Manager toolbar, give your virtual machine a name, select the operating system type and version, and allocate some RAM and disk space. VirtualBox will suggest reasonable defaults based on the OS you choose.

You’ll need an ISO file for the operating system you want to install. Mount it in the VM’s optical drive settings, start the VM, and follow the OS installer just like you would on a physical computer.

VirtualBox vs VMware Workstation

VirtualBox isn’t the only free virtualization option on Windows. VMware Workstation Pro is now free for personal use and offers features like snapshots, 3D acceleration, and better performance for demanding workloads. VirtualBox is a solid choice if you want a lightweight, open-source solution that works across Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you’re mainly on Windows and want the best performance, VMware Workstation is worth trying too.

For customizing your Windows environment before or after setting up VMs, take a look at Winhance — it’s a utility I built for tweaking Windows 11 settings and removing bloatware. You can also install older operating systems like Windows 7 in a VM if you need to run legacy software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is VirtualBox safe to install?

Yes. VirtualBox is developed by Oracle and is one of the most widely used virtualization tools in the world. Download it directly from virtualbox.org to ensure you’re getting the official installer.

What if the VirtualBox installation fails?

Make sure you’re running the installer as administrator. Also check that Hyper-V is disabled in Windows Features, as it can conflict with VirtualBox. If you see errors about missing dependencies, allow the installer to install them when prompted.

Does VirtualBox work with Windows 11?

Yes. VirtualBox runs on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, including the latest 24H2 and 25H2 releases. Make sure you’re using VirtualBox 7.0 or newer for the best Windows 11 compatibility.

How do I uninstall VirtualBox?

Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Oracle VirtualBox, and click Uninstall. On Windows 10, you can also use Control Panel > Programs and Features.