VirtualBox 7.0 Adds First ARM Mac Client, Full Encryption, Windows 11 TPM (arstechnica.com) 19
Nearly four years after its last major release, VirtualBox 7.0 arrives with a... host of new features. Chief among them are Windows 11 support via TPM, EFI Secure Boot support, full encryption for virtual machines, and a few Linux niceties. From a report: The big news is support for Secure Boot and TPM 1.2 and 2.0, which makes it easier to install Windows 11 without registry hacks (the kind Oracle recommended for 6.1 users). It's strange to think about people unable to satisfy Windows 11's security requirements on their physical hardware, but doing so with a couple clicks in VirtualBox, but here we are. VirtualBox 7.0 also allows virtual machines to run with full encryption, not just inside the guest OSâ"but logs, saved states, and other files connected to the VM. At the moment, this support only works through the command line, "for now," Oracle notes in the changelog.
This is the first official VirtualBox release with a Developer Preview for ARM-based Macs. Having loaded it on an M2 MacBook Air, I can report that the VirtualBox client informs you, extensively and consistently, about the non-production nature of your client. The changelog notes that it's an "unsupported work in progress" that is "known to have very modest performance." A "Beta Warning" shows up in the (new and unified) message center, and in the upper-right corner, a "BETA" warning on the window frame is stacked on top of a construction-style "Dev Preview" warning sign. It's still true that ARM-based Macs don't allow for running operating systems written for Intel or AMD-based processors inside virtual machines. You will, however, be able to run ARM-based Linux installations in macOS Venture that can themselves run x86 processors using Rosetta, Apple's own translation layer.
This is the first official VirtualBox release with a Developer Preview for ARM-based Macs. Having loaded it on an M2 MacBook Air, I can report that the VirtualBox client informs you, extensively and consistently, about the non-production nature of your client. The changelog notes that it's an "unsupported work in progress" that is "known to have very modest performance." A "Beta Warning" shows up in the (new and unified) message center, and in the upper-right corner, a "BETA" warning on the window frame is stacked on top of a construction-style "Dev Preview" warning sign. It's still true that ARM-based Macs don't allow for running operating systems written for Intel or AMD-based processors inside virtual machines. You will, however, be able to run ARM-based Linux installations in macOS Venture that can themselves run x86 processors using Rosetta, Apple's own translation layer.
But Can't handle multiple monitors (Score:1)
Despite it working in Vbox 6, 7 can't handle multiple displays with a Windows Guest.
Virtual TPM? (Score:1)
If virtual TPM is a thing, then why would anyone ever bother with TPM hardware?
Mac ARM client. (Score:3)
I am very glad to see this, even if it is a development preview version.
Since Apple Silicon I've been using UTM/qemo which works quite well with Windows and Apple Silicon OS's.
won't boot 64-bit ARM linux kernels (Score:2)
What I really want (Score:2)
Virtualizing an ARM machine on an M1/M2 laptop is of limited usefulness to me. It's surprising there still doesn't seem to be a way to run a virtualized Intel macOS instance - specifically Mojave or older.
I mean, the Codeweavers people figured out how to run 32-bit Intel Windows apps on an M1 Mac... shouldn't it be simpler than that to run 32-bit Mac software?
(And yes, this is mostly for older games)
Re: (Score:2)
I'm running x86 Linux on an M1-based Mac using UTM right now. It is excruciatingly slow, but it runs. Forcing multiple emulator threads will probably help, though I haven't done that yet. But for games, no, you really just need to keep old hardware around. Emulation really can't cut it yet.
Re: (Score:1)
run a virtualized Intel macOS instance
</quote>
thank apple's lawyers for that
Strange, hey? (Score:1)
Welcome to macOS. The same has been the case in the Apple camp for a long time: macOS won't let you install on "unsupported" Apple hardware older than about 5-6 years of age, but run up a VB guest and you can install the latest macOS in it and run it without any problems whatsoever.
Careful of VirtualBox in package repos (Score:5, Informative)
For instance, this can catch one unawares if using the debian 'contrib' archive, for the package "virtualbox-ext-pack".
It's obvious when installing the package that the license for it is rather "non-free" outside personal use, however operating on a network with users who have control of their own computers (BYOD, office wi-fi, schools, universities), they may download products like this without really understanding the consequences.
"If it was on the debian package server, why was it bad to install it?"
Basically, like Oracle usually does, they do actually pay attention. The extension pack calls out to Oracle-controlled servers and they will confront the operator of any network range where they see a significant use of this package.
Make sure to let people know that something being simply "on a linux package server" doesn't make it free to use, heh...
Re:Careful of VirtualBox in package repos (Score:4, Informative)
To me virtual box is very useful at home and at work. It is the only free virtualization software for windows that is updated and maintained. Before you point to Microsoft Hyper-V, it is not available for Home Edition of Windows. VMWare player is free for personal use but not for work use.
Comment removed (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
That was over a decade ago now. The pre-packaged VirtualBox has been GPL components only for years, and it's only the additional extension pack that has to be installed "personally".
Comment removed (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: Careful of VirtualBox in package repos (Score:2)
That's a nasty change without clearly telling people it's a new version of the license. Apparently it happened in mid 2017 [remembertheusers.com] between 5.1.28 and 5.1.30 - not even on a major version change.
Re: Careful of VirtualBox in package repos (Score:3)
Well interface for extension packs is there in the GPL code. There's nothing stopping the community from developing an extension pack providing equivalent functionality to the Oracle one, no forking required. They could even develop extension packs providing additional exotic functionality that Oracle doesn't provide. The thing is, no-one has. I don't know of any other extension packs. Perhaps some companies develop and
Re:Careful of VirtualBox in package repos (Score:4, Informative)
I had to go looking for what the extension pack does, so to save everyone else the trouble:
- VirtualBox Remote Desktop Protocol (VRDP) support.
- Host webcam passthrough.
- Intel PXE boot ROM.
- Disk image encryption with AES algorithm.
- Cloud integration features.
I'll give it a miss I think.
Re: (Score:2)
for windows
I think I see the real problem here.
FYI they are dropping support for older OSX (Score:2)
OSX High Sierra 10.13
Mojave 10.14
Cannot be used as a host OS anymore. VB 6.1.38 still supports them.