Oracle has announced the release of VirtualBox 7.2, a major update to the popular open-source virtualization platform that introduces significant enhancements for Windows 11/Arm virtualization, comprehensive GUI improvements, and numerous bug fixes.
Released on August 14, 2025, this version marks a substantial advancement in cross-platform virtualization capabilities, particularly targeting the growing Arm-based computing ecosystem while maintaining robust support for traditional x86_64 architectures.
Key Takeaways
1. VirtualBox 7.2 introduces full virtualization of Windows 11/Arm guests on both Arm and x86‑64 hosts (via Hyper‑V).
2. Redesigned interface with sidebar tools and tabbed VM panels improves usability.
3. Hardware-accelerated 3D/video, TPM 2.0 save-state security, and over 50 bug fixes.
GUI Enhancements and Interface Improvements
The most immediately noticeable change in VirtualBox 7.2 involves a complete redesign of the user interface architecture.
The development team has relocated global and VM tools from traditional hamburger menus to a more accessible global tools taskbar positioned vertically on the left side of the interface, complemented by VM tools tabs displayed horizontally above the right-hand panel.
This restructuring addresses long-standing user experience concerns regarding tool accessibility and workflow efficiency.
Additional interface refinements include improvements to the Preferences and Settings pages with enhanced NLS (Native Language Support) fixing, better handling of keyboard LEDs in the Soft Keyboard feature, and the addition of a checkbox for making Shared Folders global across all virtual machines.
The clone VM wizard has also received critical bug fixes that previously prevented users from including snapshots in clone operations, addressing GitHub issue GH-59.
Windows/Arm Support and Cross-Platform Virtualization
The headline feature of VirtualBox 7.2 centers on comprehensive Windows/Arm host support, now included in the unified Windows installer package.
This implementation enables Arm virtualization of VMs and specifically supports Windows 11/Arm guest systems, complete with dedicated Guest Additions for the new OS type.
The Windows/Arm guest environment now includes a WDDM Graphics driver supporting both 2D and 3D rendering modes, alongside full Shared Folder functionality.
For macOS Arm hosts, VirtualBox 7.2 introduces experimental 3D acceleration support using DXMT technology, replacing the previous non-functional solution that relied on DXVK over MoltenVK.
However, this update notably removes 3D acceleration support for macOS hosts using Intel CPUs.
The VMM (Virtual Machine Manager) has received substantial improvements for both x86_64 and Arm CPU feature reporting when utilizing Windows Hyper-V as the virtualization engine, including enhanced xsave/xrestor instruction handling and support for x86_64-v3 instruction set extensions featuring AVX and AVX2 capabilities.
Bug Fixes and Performance Optimizations
VirtualBox 7.2 addresses numerous critical issues across multiple subsystems. The VMM/HM (Hardware Management) component now properly supports Nested Virtualization on Intel CPUs, while the graphics subsystem avoids assertions when guests attempt to use VMSVGA 3D functions with disabled features.
Storage improvements include fixes for VMDK image corruption during resizing operations and the integration of NVMe storage controller emulation into the open-source base package.
Network functionality has received comprehensive attention, with multiple NAT (Network Address Translation) fixes improving DNS server handling and VM settings preservation.
The TPM (Trusted Platform Module) implementation now properly handles save state operations, while ACPI support has been added for Arm VMs.
Linux compatibility extends to kernel version 6.17, ensuring continued support for cutting-edge distributions.
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Source: cybersecuritynews.com
