What are the major benefits of Virtual Box?

are there any security benefits to using VB?

Do you mean VirtualBox over other virtual PCs or a real install? If your virtual PC gets messed up or infected you can simply delete it and start over with a fresh copy. You can set the virtual PC up with no internet or network access if you wish You just have to copy the file not create an image. Using a virtual PC allows you easy access to compare settings on host and guest. In a real dual boot you would have to reboot and change systems. A virtual PC will not run as fast as a real one. I haven't used VirtualBox in years networking used to be a real pain. I don't know if they changed that or not/ VMware Player is now free. I went to VMware Workstation when I got tired of virtualBox. You still need to install AV on a virtual PC to be safe.
Joe

VirtualBox has improved a lot over the years, of course it's not perfect, but it's a decent, usable product. It's great for trying out new OS's, or apps that applies to the OS that you're currently using. If say, you're running Windows 7, and you wish to know how a particular software will act on it, having an extra Windows 7 install (you can run 7 for 30 days, for free) can help in a decision.

It's also good for those who doesn't want to let go of prior OS's, such as Windows Vista, XP & 2000. Or trying out Linux OS's before install, to see if it's right for you, w/o the work of a full install.

As far as security goes, one must have security software installed in a VBox install, just as any other virtual machine software (such as XP Mode). If the machine is going to connect to the internet, it needs to be secured. But as Joe pointed out above, if a problem (such as a virus) arises, 2 or 3 clicks deletes the entire VM.

As to whether it's the best VM solution, users experiences varies, and it's a matter of personal preference as which to use. VBox meets most of my needs in this regard. It's the 1st choice for the majority of Linux users to run VM's in.

Cat

I just want to make something clear here:



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