How to move VirtualBox VM to another drive or computer

VirtualBox allows for efficient migration of virtual machines between different drives or computers. Whether you are moving a virtual machine (VM) to another local disk, partition, or an entirely new computer, VirtualBox supports the transfer process with its export and import functionalities. This helps maintain the VM’s configuration and disk contents while making it accessible from the new location.

When migrating a VM to a different drive on the same machine, it is essential to manage VirtualBox Disk Images (VDI) correctly and update VirtualBox's settings to reflect the new path. Failure to do so can lead to errors or make the VM inaccessible. It’s important to ensure that the VM is properly removed from VirtualBox before relocating its files, and then added back once the move is complete.

For moving VMs to another computer, exporting the VM from VirtualBox and importing it into a new VirtualBox installation simplifies the process. This ensures the virtual machine’s environment is preserved across different systems, providing continuity in your virtualized setups. The export-import process is also useful for backing up VMs or migrating them across hosts.

1. Make sure your virtual machine is powered off.
2. Get current location of your virtual machine image.

   How to change the default VM location in VirtualBox

3. Exit VirtualBox.
4. Copy or move the virtual machine folder to a new location.

   $ mv ~/Workspace/VMs/VirtualBox/Ubuntu ~/Workspace/VirtualBox/VMs/

5. Start VirtualBox.
6. Right click on virtual machine and click Remove.
7. Click Remove to confirm removal.
8. Click on Tools.
9. Click on Add.
10. Navigate to the virtual machine folder and select on the .vbox file.
11. Click Open.
12. Run the virtual machine to test.