How to start a VirtualBox machine via command line (without GUI)?

Question

I know that this is possible, but I don't know how...

I am just trying to start a VirtualBox VM called ubuservloc from the command line, but without success.

score 94 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 03 '15 at 13:06

94

Only needed:

VBoxManage startvm "VM name" --type headless

For example:

VBoxManage startvm ubuservloc --type headless

edited Dec 03 '15 at 13:06

tshepang

answered Apr 17 '14 at 20:52

guntbert

15

There is also VBoxHeadless --startvm "VM name" – Julian F. Weinert Apr 02 '15 at 17:57
12

To shut it down use this command: VBoxManage controlvm "VM name" acpipowerbutton – Lynch Jul 06 '15 at 23:52
1

This won't work if the VM is on a saved state with 3D Acceleration on – Duncan Jul 11 '16 at 13:01
3

Additionally, if your VM uses 3D acceleration, it makes sense to (temporarily) disable it, as it'll prevent the VM from starting in headless mode. – Bass Sep 13 '16 at 10:08
2

In case you forgot the names of your VMs, do VBoxManage list vms. – Matthias Braun Oct 19 '18 at 07:19
What if I want to specify a file name ? – Michael Chourdakis Dec 25 '18 at 16:46
@Michael doesn't work. You must register the VM first with VBox. – guntbert Dec 25 '18 at 19:36
For anyone in doubt, /usr/bin/vboxmanage is present. I had thought it was just a Windows file. – Sridhar Sarnobat Dec 10 '19 at 21:22

score 8 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 17 '14 at 20:55

8

Try this,

virtualbox startvm ubuservloc

edited Apr 17 '14 at 20:55

guntbert

answered Apr 09 '14 at 04:24

Avinash Raj

score 1 · Answer 3 · edited Jun 30 '21 at 15:15

1

To Start a virtual machine:

VBoxManage startvm YOUR_VIRTUAL_MACHINE_NAME

edited Jun 30 '21 at 15:15

BeastOfCaerbannog

answered Jun 30 '21 at 14:04

Unknown Boy

score 1 · Answer 4 · edited Jun 24 '17 at 07:21

1

stop

VBoxManage controlvm "vm_name" poweroff

start

nohup VBoxHeadless -startvm "vm_name" &

edited Jun 24 '17 at 07:21

Ravexina

answered Jun 23 '17 at 22:32

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 08 '19 at 16:37

in windows 10
1. open Oracle VM VirtualBox -> select vm_name right click -> create Shortcut in Desktop
2. select shortcut -> properties -> shortcut -> target -> copy
3. open cmd run (change 'VirtualBox.exe' -> 'VBoxHeadless.exe')

"C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\VBoxHeadless.exe" --comment "linux_mint" --startvm "14f426cc-845d-46cb-9f6e-4dbb31a3769a"

5 Answers5