Sharing folder between Window as host and Ubuntu as guest OS in VirtualBox

Hi,

Sometimes we need to share a folder between virtual machine and window as host operating system. So in this blog information to do the same will be shared.   

I will be demoing the sharing process using 

1. VirtualBox as vitualization tool
2. Window 10 as HOST operating system
3. Ubuntu 20.04 as GUEST operating system.

So the steps are as follows:

• Create a folder that needs to be shared between host and guest on host machine. For example: My-Files

• Open the Settings dialog box for guest os by selecting the guest machine and then clicking on the "Settings" button on the VirtualBox window

• Click on the "Shared Folders" in Settings dialog box.

• Click on the "Plus" button to add a new folder sharing in Shared Folders dialog box.

• Add Share dialog will open. 

• Here select the folder that needs to be shared in the field in front of label "Folder Path". 
• Next change the folder name, if you want, by which it will be visible in guest operating system. Default value will be the folder name that is being shared. 
• Select the checkbox as per your choice. But will suggest you to choose "Auto-mount" so that it will be auto mounted every time you start the guest machine.
• Mount point means the folder location in the guest os after starting the virtual machine. Default location will be "/media/sf_My-Files" i.e "/media/sf_{shared folder name}"
• Select the "OK" button once done with all your settings. 
• Start the virtual machine. 
• By default the shared folder will not be visible. To make it visible we need to install virtaulbox-guest package using the following command on command prompt. Please enter the sudo password.

sudo apt install virtualbox-guest-utils

• And also run the following:

sudo usermod -aG vboxsf $(whoami)

Now all set and you can share your files between host and guest operating systems. 

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!