Oracle continues to advance its cross-platform virtualization software with the release of VirtualBox 7.2 Beta 2, introducing key enhancements for both Linux and Windows users—especially those running Windows on ARM architectures.
The beta release arrives alongside the debut of Oracle Linux 10 and highlights Oracle’s ongoing commitment to open source. Notably, VirtualBox’s source code is now hosted on GitHub, making it easier for developers to contribute and audit the project.
Initial Linux 6.16 Kernel Support
One of the headline features of VirtualBox 7.2 Beta 2 is early support for the Linux 6.16 kernel, available for both host and guest operating systems. This update ensures continued compatibility with the latest Linux distributions and reflects Oracle’s dedication to staying aligned with upstream kernel development.
Additionally, several Linux-specific fixes are included:
- Corrected issues with the
vboxvideo
kernel module handling in initialization scripts. - Fixed
VBoxClient
startup errors on legacy 2.6 kernel series.
Enhanced Windows 11 on ARM Support
Following the initial support introduced in the first beta, Oracle has added further enhancements for Windows 11 on ARM:
- A WDDM graphics driver (currently 2D only) is now available, enabling smoother graphical performance.
- Shared Folder support has been enabled, greatly improving interoperability between host and guest systems.
These changes bring Windows ARM virtual machines a step closer to parity with x86 guests in terms of functionality.
Technical Improvements Across the Board
VirtualBox 7.2 Beta 2 includes a variety of performance, compatibility, and usability improvements:
- Nested virtualization: Resolved issues with nested virtualization on Intel CPUs.
- x86_64-v3 instruction support: Enhanced Hyper-V backend to handle
xsave/xrestor
instructions, exposing AVX and AVX2 on modern CPUs. - Graphics: Prevented assertions when guests attempt to use VMSVGA 3D features that are disabled.
- NAT & Networking: Unified NAT and NAT Network behavior, improved DNS handling, and ensured boot file naming stays within limits.
- Storage: Fixed corruption issues when resizing VMDK disk images.
- Video Recording: Addressed frame sync issues and fixed a memory leak.
- TPM: Resolved save state load failures.
GUI and BIOS Updates
The beta also features UI refinements:
- Polished Preferences and Settings windows.
- Improved soft keyboard behavior.
- Removed IO-APIC from ARM VM settings.
BIOS fixes include:
- Improved keyboard translation and key handling.
- Addressed issues related to single-sided floppy disk detection.
Source Code Now Available on GitHub
A major shift with VirtualBox 7.2 is the move to GitHub, where the source code is now publicly accessible for developers and researchers:
🔗 VirtualBox GitHub Repository
Beta, but Promising
Although still in beta, VirtualBox 7.2 Beta 2 offers significant stability and functionality. It’s especially noteworthy for:
- Linux users tracking bleeding-edge kernels.
- Developers working with Windows on ARM.
- Anyone testing advanced virtualization setups.
The release is available for download via virtualbox.org, and users are encouraged to share feedback in the official VirtualBox forums or report issues via GitHub.
With this update, Oracle solidifies VirtualBox’s position as a leading open-source virtualization tool, ready to meet the evolving demands of modern desktop and server environments.