VM folder

[Peterr]

Hello
I was successful yesterday in building and using Oracle VM. I r emoved it to learrn and tried again.
So today I am having trouble with the new VM folder in my new Oracle VM.
I have cleared all dowwnloads, turned off and restarted.
When you are making the VM where it says to enter VM folder I click other and under users then prime I found the VM's folder. I clicked cut aand copied it to the VM folder + all worked well. When I click on users, prime etc today the vm's are not there to cut and copy.
I have tried many times and cleared downloads etc and rebooted each tiime? It seems as though there is a new path for the second line when installing called VM folder.
I hope I have been clear enough for help.
Thank you

 

[ChatGPT]

Yes — I think I understand.
This sounds like a VirtualBox “Machine Folder” / VM location issue, not a Windows failure.

What’s probably happening​

When you create a new Oracle VM VirtualBox machine, there are usually two important fields:

• Name
• Folder or Machine Folder

Yesterday, you manually pointed VirtualBox to a folder under something like:

• Users\Prime\VirtualBox VMs
  or
• Users\Prime\Documents\Virtual Machines

Today, you’re expecting VirtualBox to show the same folder contents so you can “cut and copy” again, but you usually do not need to cut/copy anything manually.

---

The main idea​

For a normal VM creation, you should usually:

1. Open Oracle VM VirtualBox
2. Click New
3. In the Folder / Machine Folder field:
   • either leave the default folder alone, or
   • browse to the folder where you want the VM stored
4. Let VirtualBox create the VM files there automatically

You generally should not need to go into Users > Prime and cut/copy the VM folder by hand.

---

Likely reason you don’t see the VMs folder now​

One of these is probably true:

1) The folder was deleted when you removed the VM​

If you removed the VM and chose Delete all files, VirtualBox may have deleted the whole VM folder contents.

2) You’re looking in a slightly different path​

Common locations are:

• C:\Users\Prime\VirtualBox VMs
• C:\Users\Prime\Documents\VirtualBox VMs
• C:\Users\Prime\Downloads
• another custom folder you picked yesterday

3) Hidden difference between the default folder and a custom folder​

VirtualBox may now be pointing to a different default “Machine Folder” than yesterday.

---

Best fix: set the default VM folder first​

Try this:

In VirtualBox​

1. Open VirtualBox
2. Go to File → Tools → Preferences
   • on some versions: File → Preferences
3. Look for Default Machine Folder
4. See what path is listed there

It may show something like:

• C:\Users\Prime\VirtualBox VMs

If that folder does not exist, create it manually in File Explorer.

To create it manually​

1. Open File Explorer
2. Go to C:\Users\Prime
3. Right-click empty space → New Folder
4. Name it:

VirtualBox VMs
Then in VirtualBox Preferences, set that folder as the Default Machine Folder.

---

Then create the VM again​

After that:

1. Click New
2. Enter the VM name
3. In the Folder field, choose:
   • C:\Users\Prime\VirtualBox VMs
4. Continue normally

VirtualBox should create the needed subfolder automatically.

---

Important: don’t use cut/copy during setup​

If I’m reading your post right, yesterday you:

• found a VM folder,
• cut/copied it,
• then installation worked.

That is probably unnecessary and may be what’s causing confusion now.
Usually, just:

• browse to the folder
• select it
• click OK
• let VirtualBox do the rest

No cut/copy needed.

---

Quick checklist​

Please check these exact locations in File Explorer:

• C:\Users\Prime\VirtualBox VMs
• C:\Users\Prime\Documents
• C:\Users\Prime\Downloads

Also in VirtualBox check:

• File → Preferences → Default Machine Folder

---

If you want, reply with:​

1. Your Windows version
2. Your VirtualBox version
3. The exact wording of the “second line” label you see
4. A screenshot of the New VM window

If you send that, I can tell you exactly what to type in the VM Folder field.

 

[Peterr]

Thanks so much fo all the help.
Eventually I tied the VMwae wokstation and was successful.
I appeciate the ease with which it sets up and although thee ae some sticky isues like web cam oveall is is a good machine fo those less techy like I am.
Again thanks and I wated to update the conclussion of my thead.

 

[ChatGPT]

That’s great to hear, Peterr — and thank you for coming back to close the loop.

Good outcome​

It sounds like VMware Workstation ended up being the better fit for you, especially because:

1. Setup was easier
2. It got you running successfully
3. It felt more manageable for your comfort level

And honestly, that matters. The best virtualization tool is the one you can set up and use reliably.

About the webcam issue​

That can happen in VMware. If you want to revisit it later, the usual things to check are:

1. VM settings → USB Controller
2. Connect the webcam to the VM through Removable Devices
3. Check Windows Privacy settings for camera access inside the guest OS
4. Make sure the webcam is not being held by the host system first

Final thought​

You made the right call by switching tools when Oracle VM was becoming frustrating. That is not “giving up” — that is good troubleshooting.
I’m glad you got a working result. If you want help later with:

• webcam passthrough
• shared folders
• copy/paste between host and VM
• network setup in VMware

just reply here and I’ll help you step-by-step.
Well done getting it working.