Oracle has released VirtualBox 7.2.2, a maintenance update for its open-source virtualization platform, focusing on improving stability and addressing a range of bugs.
Released on September 10, 2025, this version comes as a follow-up to the major 7.2 release, which introduced significant new features like support for Windows-on-Arm virtualization.
The 7.2.2 update primarily delivers corrective fixes for regressions and user-reported issues, with a strong emphasis on resolving crashes within the graphical user interface (GUI) and enhancing platform-specific reliability.
A significant portion of the update is dedicated to fixing the VirtualBox Manager GUI. Users will find numerous patches that prevent crashes and freezes, which were previously reported under various conditions.
GUI Stability And Usability Enhancements
The update addresses crashes that occurred when managing VMs with a large number of snapshots, deleting snapshots, or removing all VMs from the list.
It also resolves a freeze that affected Linux users during startup or when adding a new virtual machine.
Furthermore, the development team fixed layout bugs with size constraints and improved the network status-bar indicator’s tooltip to update correctly when guest additions change.
For Windows 11 hosts, this release adds the ability to use legacy light and dark themes from Windows 10, offering more customization.
This maintenance release delivers crucial improvements for multiple host operating systems. For users of Windows on Arm, a notable fix resolves an issue that prevented VMs from starting.
macOS host users will benefit from a correction to internal networking and NAT networks, which was a regression in VirtualBox version 7.2.0, and a fix for VM crashes on Arm-based Macs at startup.
On the Linux side, VirtualBox will now use KVM APIs on kernel 6.16.0 and newer for managing VT-x, improving compatibility with modern kernels.
The update also includes fixes for Guest Additions on both Linux and Windows, resolving a library loading error on Linux guests and an installation failure on 64-bit Windows XP SP2.
Networking, USB, And Component Updates
Beyond GUI and platform-specific enhancements, VirtualBox 7.2.2 introduces several other important fixes. The virtual USB webcam has been moved into the open-source base package, simplifying its use for all users.
In networking, a potential issue where a nameserver in the 127/8 network could be passed to the guest has been fixed.
This release also introduces a new experimental e1000 network adapter type (82583V), which requires the ICH9 chipset.
Other improvements include better handling for passing through USB devices exposed over USB/IP and a fix for the TPM device, which was not working with certain guests.
For Arm hosts, the update reduces high CPU usage for idling VMs, leading to better performance and efficiency.
Find this Story Interesting! Follow us on Google News, LinkedIn, and X to Get More Instant Updates.
Source link
