Dual OS in One Desktop – Seamless Mode VirtualBox

Seamless mode is one of the greatest feature in Sun VirtualBox desktop virtualization software. It’s like ‘Unity Mode’ in VMware workstation. Seamless mode allows you to work on guest (virtual) machine in host’s desktop. So, every time you don’t need to switch between guest and host. Just work from host desktop only.

Most of the desktop virtualization software users do not know about this unity mode or seamless mode. But it’s very useful and helps to access host and guest in same time.

Let me explain how seamless mode works in Sun VirtualBox and what are the requirements for it.

Your guest virtual machine must have VirtualBox guest additions installed. In this example, my host is Windows XP and guest is Windows 7.
Guest additions are not installed in Windows 7 guest OS yet, so seamless mode is disabled in menu as shown below.

I installed VirtualBox guest additions on windows 7 guest machine by going to ‘ Device’ on menu  and select ‘Install Guest Additions’. Let complete installation of required display and network drivers included in guest additions. Don’t miss to reboot the virtual machine after installation.

Now Seamless Mode is enabled in Windows 7 virtual machine, see below.

Once I click seamless mode, guest’s (Windows 7) task bar came just top of host’s (Windows XP) task bar. I like this feature very much.

I can access both windows 7 and windows XP start buttons in one place now.

You can work on guest and host operating systems in same time in one screen. It will be very helpful when you want to access both machines very often

If you want to come out from seamless mode, just move your curser between host and guest taskbar at center of desktop.  Select close from sliding small menu bar.

Mostly, seamless mode works without any problem. If you face any problem with seamless mode in VirtualBox, check the guest additions installation. May be try re installing and restarting machine.

I’m sure you would like this feature.