VirtualBox Guest Additions provide better integration between your host and guest systems, including improved graphics, shared clipboard, and folder sharing. Follow these steps to install Guest Additions on Linux Mint 22.1 Cinnamon:
Prerequisites
- Ensure your Linux Mint virtual machine is running in VirtualBox.
- Log in with a user account that has sudo privileges.
1. Update Your System
Open a terminal and run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
2. Install Required Packages
Install the necessary build tools and kernel headers:
sudo apt install -y build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
3. Insert the Guest Additions CD Image
- In the VirtualBox menu, go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image...
- If prompted to download the image, allow it.
4. Mount the CD Image (if not auto-mounted)
If the CD does not open automatically, mount it manually:
sudo mount /dev/cdrom /media/cdrom
5. Run the Guest Additions Installer
Navigate to the mounted directory and run the installer:
cd /media/cdrom
sudo sh ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
Watch the output for any errors. If you see "modprobe vboxguest failed," reboot and try again.
6. Reboot the Virtual Machine
After installation completes, reboot:
sudo reboot
7. Verify Installation
After rebooting, check if Guest Additions are working: - Try resizing the VM window (the display should auto-resize). - Check for shared clipboard and drag-and-drop functionality. - You can also run:
lsmod | grep vboxguest
If you see vboxguest in the output, the installation was successful.
Troubleshooting:
- If you encounter errors, ensure all required packages are installed and your system is fully updated.
- Check the log at /var/log/vboxadd-setup.log for details.
Tip: For shared folders, add your user to the vboxsf group:
sudo usermod -aG vboxsf $USER
Then log out and back in.