Ever since the acquisition of VirtualBox in 2010, Oracle has done well in delivering affordable virtualization technology to the world. Although Oracle personnel have done their best to improve its users’ experience, VirtualBox is still susceptible to technical glitches. You keep running into the “Failed to acquire the VirtualBox COM object” error while using VirtualBox? In that case, this article is for you.
Insights
VBoxSDS
In case you don’t know, Windows needs the VBoxSDS windows service to start and shut down VirtualBox. The service can either be disabled or enabled, depending on the situation. If VBoxSDS is disabled, there is no way for VirtualBox to run.
Antivirus Programs
All in all, antivirus programs can overreact and prevent VirtualBox services from launching. Thus, regarding the “Failed to acquire the VirtualBox COM object” error, you should take antivirus programs into account.
Storage
VirtualBox requires at least 4 GB of free space to function properly. Installing the software on a disk with lesser storage can result in the error in question.
Administrator Privileges
VirtualBox requires administrator privileges to load its necessary drivers. If it lacks the privileges, VirtualBox will have a hard time performing to its full potential.
A Few Fixes
Enable VBoxSDS Windows Service
If you need to use the VBoxSDS Windows service, you will first need to enable it. To do this, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Open the Services console (press the Windows key + R, type ‘services. msc; press Enter.
- Step 2: Find the VBoxSDS service on the list and double-click it.
- Step 3: Set the Startup type to Automatic in the Properties window.
- Step 4: Select Apply and choose OK.
- Step 5: Restart your computer.
Free Up Storage Space
For your information, VirtualBox temporary files accumulate and take up disk space as time passes by. The program relies on the files to store information about your virtual machine. While they can be handy at times, the files can also lead to errors.
- Step 1: Go to Search bar, type CMD and click Run as administrator.
- Step 2: In Command Prompt (Admin), navigate to the temporary file folder by typing cd \windows\temp.
- Step 3: Run the del *, * command to delete all temporary files.
- Step 4: Type y on the text prompt to confirm that you want to delete the file. The system will delete all the temporary files and create space on your disk.
Run VirtualBox With Administrator Privileges
- Step 1: Right-click on the VirtualBox icon and select “Run as administrator.”
- Step 2: If prompted, enter your administrator password and click “Yes.”
- Step 3: VirtualBox will now start with administrator privileges.
Alternatively,
- Step 1: Right-click on the VirtualBox icon and select Properties.
- Step 2: Go to the compatibility tab then tick the ‘Run this program as an administrator box.
- Step 3: Click Ok to save the changes then exit. VirtualBox will automatically launch with administrator privileges the next time you use it.
Make Exception For VirtualBox
If you wish to use VirtualBox on your PC, you must set your antivirus program to allow it to run.
- Step 1: Open Windows Defender Security Center, select Virus & threat protection and choose Manage settings.
- Step 2: Under Exclusions, hit Add or remove exclusions.
- Step 3: Pick Add an exclusion then click Folder.
- Step 4: In Folder, choose VirtualBox folder (usually located in C:\Program files\Oracle\VirtualBox) and select Ok.
- Step 5: Click Add an exclusion again then pick File.
- Step 8: In File, select the VirtualBox.exe file (usually located in C:\Program files\Oracle\VirtualBox). Lastly, click Ok and close the Windows Defender Security Center window
Guidelines
- Choose the right version of VirtualBox for the right tasks.
- Allocate enough resources to VirtualBox to avoid runtime errors.
- Use snapshots to save your progress.
Can I Move A Virtual Machine Between Computers?
- Step 1: Launch VirtualBox on your old pc but don’t boot into a virtual machine.
- Step 2: Click on the machine menu and select export to save the VM image. Copy that image into an external storage device.
- Step 3: Install and launch VirtualBox on your new computer
- Step 4: Click on the machine menu and select add.
- Step 5: Navigate to the virtual machine image on your external storage device and click on it to import. VirtualBox will automatically import your VM configurations into your new computer.
What Must Be Done To Disable Automatic Upgrades On VirtualBox?
- Step 1: Open the VirtualBox Manager and go to file> Preferences.
- Step 2: Go to the Updates tab in the Preferences dialog and uncheck the “Check for updates automatically” option. Once you’ve done that, your VMs will no longer automatically update.
How Much Storage Does VirtualBox Need On Average?
VirtualBox requires a minimum of 10 GB of storage to install a basic operating system. You will need more storage if you need to install multiple operating systems or create more complex virtual machines.
Can I Run VirtualBox on Linux?
Yes, you can run VirtualBox on Linux. VirtualBox is a popular choice for running virtual machines on Linux.
How Many Virtual Machines Can VirtualBox Support At An Instance?
VirtualBox can support up to 32 virtual machines on a single computer, but this may vary depending on your system’s specifications.
Hoang Tu is a seasoned Microsoft Windows expert with a strong IT background. Studying at Hanoi Bach Khoa University, he gained valuable experience at Hanoi Computer and FPT Soft before joining Milagro Mobile Marketing. Specializing in providing tips and tutorials on Windows for global users, Hoang Tu’s expertise covers various Windows versions. With a talent for clear communication, he offers practical solutions and advice to users of all skill levels. His dedication to empowering individuals in their Windows experience has earned him recognition in the tech community, making him a trusted resource for optimizing system performance and resolving technical issues.