For example, if you have a Linux host and a Windows virtual machine, you’ll be able to use MS Word or MS Excel as if you were running it directly from your Linux machine!

Seamless windows: This is another amazing feature that lets you use any application in your guest as if you were running it directly from your host PC.

Shared folders: This is one of my favorite Guest Addition features! You can designate one or more folders to share files easily between your host and your guest, as if they were network shares.

But don’t worry about it! Guest Additions re-synchronize your virtual machine’s time regularly to avoid any serious problems. Since the host computer needs to use those resources too, sometimes it can get messy, especially if both host and guest are running several applications at the same time, as would be the case in most situations.

Better time synchronization between host and guest: A virtual machine doesn’t know it’s running inside another computer, so it expects to have 100% of the CPU and all the other resources without any interference.

Enhanced video support in your guest virtual machine: You will be able to use 3D and 2D video acceleration features, and if you resize your virtual machine’s screen, its video resolution will adjust automatically.

Full keyboard and mouse integration between your host and your guest operating systems: This means you won’t need to use the capture/uncapture feature anymore!.With the Guest Additions installed in a virtual machine, you’ll be able to enjoy all of these:

Ok, you have been playing with a couple of virtual machines by now, and I know it feels great to be capable of running two different operating systems on the same machine, but as I said at the beginning of this article, what’s the use if you can’t share information between your host and guest systems, or if you can’t maximize your guest screen? Well, that’s what Guest Additions are for. Romero, author of VirtualBox 3.1: Beginner’s Guide, you shall learn what the Guest Additions are and how to install them on Windows, Linux, and Open Solaris virtual machines.

Vbox guest additions iso