Here’s a summary of the major changes and significance of VirtualBox 7.2 Beta, with a focus on Windows 11 ARM support, GUI refinements, other ARM improvements, Guest Additions, and the open-source code being on GitHub:
Citations:
Source: Phoronix VirtualBox 7.2 Beta Brings Windows 11 Arm Support, Source Code On GitHub - Phoronix
VirtualBox 7.2 Beta: Key Highlights
1. Windows 11 ARM Support
- First-time Support: VirtualBox 7.2 Beta marks the first announcement of official support for running Windows 11 on ARM as both host and guest OS.
- Guest Additions: ARM-compatible Guest Additions are now available, improving device handling, integration, and performance for Windows 11 virtual machines running on ARM hardware.
2. Unified Installer
- The Windows installer for VirtualBox 7.2 Beta is now unified, meaning ARM virtualization is included directly, making setup and updates easier for Windows users on ARM devices.
3. GUI (Graphical User Interface) Refinements
- Preference Panel Fixes: Addressed issues where controls were grayed out or not displaying well, especially under Linux themes.
- Mac Stability: Fixed frequent crashes on exit, especially on Macs.
- Restored Features: Returned features like the 3D acceleration checkbox and the help button, improving both functionality and accessibility.
4. Driver and Hardware Improvements
- Driver Logic: Rewritten and more robust driver installation for Windows hosts, reducing errors and misconfigurations for networking, disk, and USB hardware access.
- NVMe Support: Enhanced virtual NVMe controller handling, allowing seamless import/export of VMs utilizing NVMe drives, which is critical for high-IO workloads and demanding apps.
5. ARM-Specific Enhancements
- Performance & Compatibility: Multiple improvements specifically target ARM virtual machines, aligning VMM (Virtual Machine Monitor) code to handle quirks and changes in new Windows 11 releases, addressing issues such as guest BSODs under Windows 11 24H2.
- Linux Host/Guest: Expanded compatibility for recent Linux kernel versions (e.g., kernel 6.13 and earlier), ensuring both ARM and x86 Linux systems are well-supported as host and guest OSes.
6. Open Source on GitHub
- Oracle has officially published the open-source code for VirtualBox on GitHub, inviting broader community participation and faster innovation.
Critical Analysis
- Why Does ARM Support Matter?
This move addresses the growing shift toward ARM-based PCs, spearheaded by Apple's M-series and now Qualcomm’s efforts with Windows 11 on ARM. Support from major virtualization players like Oracle signals a more mature ARM ecosystem for mainstream and dev users. - Stable Drivers & UI: Many issues with instability stemmed from poor driver deployment and unfinished UI tweaks. Addressing them in this release boosts confidence for professional and academic use.
- Collaboration Potential: Placing the source on GitHub provides transparency, opens avenues for bug fixes, and potentially rapid feature adoption by the wider open-source community.
Practical Impact
- Developers and organizations can now reliably test and deploy Windows 11 ARM environments on non-native hardware.
- The improvements to drivers, interface, and NVMe support, combined with ARM and latest Linux kernel compatibility, mean VirtualBox 7.2 Beta is significantly more stable and useful for advanced use cases on modern hardware.
Citations:
- For summary of refinements, ARM improvements, and Guest Additions: [threads_350001-352000.json] .
- For GitHub and open-source community: [threads_348001-350000.json] .
Source: Phoronix VirtualBox 7.2 Beta Brings Windows 11 Arm Support, Source Code On GitHub - Phoronix
