Oracle releases VirtualBox 7.1 with enhanced UI, Linux support & Apple Silicon support

Oracle has launched VirtualBox 7.1, now available for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. This update brings a refreshed user interface (UI) utilizing Qt 6, which enhances performance and visual quality without making significant visual changes. The new version introduces two UI modes: Basic, which simplifies the interface, and Expert, which provides access to all settings, allowing users to switch between them easily.

VirtualBox 7.1 also improves compatibility with modern Linux environments by fully supporting clipboard sharing under Wayland for Linux hosts and guests. Additionally, the Shared Clipboard feature now supports initial file sharing between Linux and Windows hosts/guests. The update includes support for unattended installations on various Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, and officially supports Apple Silicon, enabling ARM-based Macs to run Linux and BSD virtual machines.

Enhancements to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) integration include a performance dashboard for monitoring cloud resources and options to clone or reset compute instances. Other updates feature improved screen recording performance, VirtualBox Remote Desktop Extension (VRDE) certificate improvements, a new NAT engine with IPv6 support, and the inclusion of Microsoft DB/KEX certificates in EFI for new VMs. VirtualBox 7.1 is also compatible with Python 3.x, ensuring better support for automation and scripting through Python-based tools.