VirtualBox 7.2 can now be downloaded as a new stable release of Oracle's hypervisor, a cross-platform edition that maintains its core as free software under GPLv3. As usual, advanced features such as USB 2.0/3.0 remain in the extension package, separate from the base package.
The launch puts the spotlight on ARM —including Windows 11/ARM virtualization—, refines support for Linux (kernels 6.16 and 6.17), and refreshes the interface to make the tools more accessible. Oracle distributes universal installers and maintains availability for GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows, in addition to Solaris.
Interface: Clearer shortcuts in VirtualBox 7.2
Application reorganize your menus by moving the global tools and from the machine from the classic hamburger type menus to a vertical toolbar located on the left, while the VM tools move to horizontal tabs on the right panel.
- Quick access to Start, Machines, Extensions, Media, Network, Cloud and Resources.
- More polished Preferences and Settings pages and soft keyboard with better keyboard LED management.
- Checkbox to make a shared folder available to all VMs.
- On ARM VMs, the IO-APIC option is removed from the settings panel.
More details on improvements in VirtualBox 7.1.8 and what to expect from this version regarding the interface and functions.
Linux: Graphics Performance and Recent Kernels
On Linux hosts, when the 3D option is active, the video decoding acceleration, which reduces CPU load and smooths out multimedia playback in VMs. There's also initial support for the 6.16 and 6.17 kernels on both host and guest, improvements to Guest Additions, and more robust module handling. vboxvideo in the script of init of guests. Fix scancode sharing and boot resolution on older kernels.
For those who update from previous versions, it is important to check the compatibility, since the saved states and snapshot collections VMs created with the 7.1 series on ARM devices are not compatible with 7.2, so it is recommended to shut down the VMs before upgrading.
ARM and Windows 11/ARM: a qualitative leap
VirtualBox 7.2 allows you to virtualize Windows 11/ARM on Windows ARM hosts via a unified installer. It also expands support for Linux and macOS on ARM hosts, including enhancements to Guest Additions specific to these environments.
These Guest Additions feature a WDDM driver with 2D and 3D modes, support for shared folders and better integration for hybrid workflows. x86_64 and ARM CPU usage is also better reported when using Windows Hyper‑V and it is fixed nested virtualization on Intel CPUs. In addition, it arrives ACPI to ARM VMs and the utility vboxwebsrv It is now included in the packages for ARM hosts.
It is important to note that the saved states and collections snapshots created in version 7.1 will not be supported after the upgrade, so it is recommended shut down the VMs before proceeding.
macOS: A New Path to 3D on Apple Silicon
Experimental 3D acceleration support is added to macOS on ARM (Apple Silicon). via DXMT, replacing the previous implementation based on DXVK and MoltenVK, which were flawed. This change aims to improve performance on ARM machines, aligning development with Apple's transition to Silicon.
On the other hand, the hosts macOS with Intel CPUs They no longer have 3D acceleration in this version, in line with Apple's strategy to focus on ARM for future updates.
Network, storage, and CPU: general tuning
Emulation of the NVMe controller in the base package, eliminating closed components and improving integration. Network management receives improvements in handling DNS servers in NAT and in generating the boot file name, strengthening PXE and similar environments.
Problems such as the VMDK image corruption When resizing, failures to load saved states with TPM, and frame synchronization errors in integrated video recording.
Now supports the instruction set x86_64‑v3 (including AVX and AVX2) on modern CPUs and improved handling of xsave/xrestor when Windows Hyper‑V acts as the backend, in addition to simplifying deployment by eliminating dependencies such as libIDL e IASL.
VirtualBox 7.2 download and availability
VirtualBox 7.2 is available for GNU/Linux, macOS, Windows and Solaris since Official site. Linux users with the Oracle repository configurable can be easily updated from the package manager.
The base package continues under GPLv3 and the Extension Pack adds features like USB 2.0/3.0 and RDP. For a deeper dive into what's new, check out the .
