vboxmanage-extpack

Install extension packs to VirtualBox (Note: You need to remove the existing version of the extension pack before installing a new version.)

$ VBoxManage extpack install [path/to/file.vbox-extpack]

$ VBoxManage extpack install --replace

$ VBoxManage extpack uninstall [extension_pack_name]

$ VBoxManage extpack uninstall --force [extension_pack_name]

$ VBoxManage extpack cleanup

VBoxManage extpack

Commands:
install <filename> [--replace]
uninstall <name> [--force]
list

install
    Installs an extension pack from the specified .vbox-extpack file.

--replace
    (Optional) Used with install, this option replaces an existing extension pack if it's already installed. Useful for upgrading or reinstalling.

uninstall
    Uninstalls the specified extension pack by its unique name (e.g., 'Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack').

--force
    (Optional) Used with uninstall, this option forces the uninstallation, ignoring some checks or warnings.

list
    Displays a list of all currently installed VirtualBox Extension Packs, including their versions and descriptions.

The `VBoxManage extpack` command is a crucial utility within the VirtualBox command-line interface, designed specifically for managing VirtualBox Extension Packs. These packs provide additional functionality to VirtualBox, such as USB 2.0/3.0 support, Host webcam pass-through, Intel PXE boot ROM, and disk encryption. This command allows users to install new extension packs, list currently installed ones, and uninstall existing packs, enabling customization and enhancement of VirtualBox's capabilities from the terminal. It is an essential tool for headless server environments or for automating VirtualBox deployments and configurations.

Licensing: The Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack often has a different license (e.g., Personal Use and Evaluation License - PUEL) than VirtualBox itself (GPLv3). Users must review and accept these terms during installation.

Privileges: Installing or uninstalling extension packs typically requires administrator (root on Linux/macOS, elevated on Windows) privileges.

Version Compatibility: Extension packs are usually tied to specific VirtualBox versions. An extension pack designed for an older version might not work correctly or install on a newer VirtualBox release, and vice versa.

Extension packs are typically downloaded as .vbox-extpack files from the official VirtualBox website (www.virtualbox.org). It's crucial to download the version that exactly matches your installed VirtualBox version.

For automated scripts, you can use the --replace option with install and pipe 'yes' to standard input to automatically accept the license agreement. Example: echo yes | VBoxManage extpack install --replace "/path/to/pack.vbox-extpack"

VirtualBox Extension Packs were introduced early in VirtualBox's development (around version 4.0 or earlier) to modularize certain features, particularly those with different licensing terms or external dependencies (like USB 2.0/3.0). This allowed the core VirtualBox product to remain open-source (GPL) while offering additional proprietary or differently licensed functionalities through separate, installable packages. The `extpack` subcommand was consequently integrated into `VBoxManage` to provide a robust command-line method for managing these essential add-ons, reflecting VirtualBox's evolution towards a more flexible and extensible architecture.

VBoxManage(1), VBoxManage createvm(1), VBoxManage modifyvm(1)