8.7. VBoxManage createvm

Oracle VM VirtualBox

8.7. VBoxManage createvm

This command creates a new XML virtual machine definition file.

The --name <name> parameter is required and must specify the name of the machine. Since this name is used by default as the file name of the settings file (with the extension .xml) and the machine folder (a subfolder of the .config/VirtualBox/Machines folder - this folder name may vary depending on the operating system and the version of VirtualBox which you are using), it must conform to your host operating system's requirements for file name specifications. If the VM is later renamed, the file and folder names will change automatically.

However, if the --basefolder <path> option is used, the machine folder will be named <path>. In this case, the names of the file and the folder will not change if the virtual machine is renamed.

If the --group <group>, ... option is used, the machine will be assigned membership of the specified VM groups in the list. Note that group ids always start with a / and can be nested. By default, VMs are always assigned membership of the group /.

If the --ostype <ostype>: option is used, <ostype> specifies the guest operating system to run in the VM. To learn about the available OS options, run VBoxManage list ostypes .

If the --uuid <uuid>: option is used, <uuid> specifies the VM uuid. This must be unique within the namespace of the host, or that of the VM Group if it is assigned to a VM group membership. By default, a unique uuid within the appropriate namespace is automatically generated.

By default, this command only creates the XML file without automatically registering the VM with your VirtualBox installation. To register the VM instantly, use the optional --register option, or run VBoxManage registervm separately afterwards.