Where Does VirtualBox Store VMs?
VirtualBox VMs and config paths on Windows, macOS and Linux, and which files to copy when moving a virtual machine.
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VirtualBox splits settings from virtual disks. Machine definitions (.vbox files) and disk images (.vdi, .vmdk) live together by default in a VirtualBox VMs folder in your home directory. Each VM gets its own subfolder with logs and snapshots.
Global preferences sit elsewhere in a .VirtualBox or VirtualBox config folder. To move one VM, copy its subfolder with the .vbox file and disks intact. Use Machine > Move in the manager when you can, since it updates paths for you and avoids broken links.
Where VirtualBox stores this, by platform
C:\Users\[Username]\VirtualBox VMs
Global config is at C:\Users\[Username]\.VirtualBox. Each VM subfolder should contain its .vbox file plus disk images. Keep them together.
~/VirtualBox VMs
Global settings are in ~/Library/VirtualBox. The manager lets you change the default machine folder under Settings > General if the boot drive fills up.
~/VirtualBox VMs
Global config is at ~/.config/VirtualBox. Virtual disks are large, so check free space before cloning. Snapshots live inside the VM subfolder.
Frequently asked questions
Which files make up a VirtualBox VM?
The .vbox XML definition, the virtual disk (.vdi or .vmdk), plus a Logs folder and Snapshots if used. Copy the whole VM subfolder to preserve all of them at once.
Can I store VMs on an external drive?
Yes. Set the Default Machine Folder in VirtualBox preferences to the external drive, or use Machine > Move for an existing VM. Use a fast connection or disk speed will suffer.
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