Oracle has unveiled the second maintenance update for its latest VirtualBox 7.1 series.
VirtualBox 7.1.4 offers a collection of enhancements, bug fixes, and stability improvements for this open-source, cross-platform virtualization software, while not introducing any major new features.
Among the updates, two significant modifications pertain to the Linux Guest Additions package, which enhances the integration of Linux virtual machines with the host operating system and hardware—whether it’s a Linux, macOS, Windows, or Solaris environment.
First, the Linux Guest Additions has gained initial support for the upcoming Linux kernel 6.12 release, expected in the coming months. This early support ensures that virtual machines can operate smoothly without significant issues when users choose to upgrade to Linux 6.12.
In addition, Linux Guest Additions has introduced an automatic upgrade feature (accessible through the Devices menu) for users running Linux guests on VirtualBox on Macs with ARM (commonly referred to as Apple Silicon or M-Series) processors.
Continuing with Linux, many users have reported issues such as persistent flickering, black screens, and distorted visuals when utilizing the latest Linux kernels. VirtualBox 7.1.4 reportedly offers enhancements to address screen anomalies (however, according to the bug report, these issues are not completely resolved).
Additional updates include:
- Support for Turkish, Indonesian, and Italian languages
- Fixed an issue related to restoring saved states from 7.0.x concerning NAT
- Improved management and visibility for ‘inaccessible VMs’ via VBoxManage
- System DLL size checking is now functional in Windows 11 24H2
- Restoration of EFI network boot support
The official change-log contains more details, along with links to bug reports if you seek additional information about specific fixes or enhancements.
Get VirtualBox
VirtualBox 7.1.4 is a free, open-source application compatible with Windows, macOS (including Apple Silicon), Linux, and Solaris. You can download the latest version from the official website, with Linux download options that include DEB installers for Ubuntu (for version 24.10, download the 24.04 package).
If you don’t require the latest features and updates, you can opt for an older version of VirtualBox available in the Ubuntu repositories by using sudo apt install virtualbox.