How to make Virtualbox full screen for Windows 11(or 10), macOS, and Linux VMs

Running a virtual machine in VirtualBox can feel cramped if it’s stuck in a small window. Fortunately, making it go full screen is simple once you know how. Here’s how to get full-screen mode working properly for Windows 11 (or 10), macOS, and Linux virtual machines.

Why Full Screen Doesn’t Work Out of the Box

When you first install a new virtual machine (VM), VirtualBox doesn’t automatically support dynamic screen resizing or full screen. That’s because your VM is missing the Guest Additions – a set of drivers and tools that improve performance and enable features like:

• Full screen and auto-resize display
• Shared clipboard
• Drag and drop between host and guest
• Better mouse pointer integration

Let’s walk through how to install Guest Additions and enable full screen on different operating systems.

For Windows 11 or 10 VMs

1. Start your Windows VM in VirtualBox.
2. Once you’re at the desktop, go to the VirtualBox menu:
   Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image…
3. If prompted, allow the CD to run or open the file manually in File Explorer and run VBoxWindowsAdditions.exe.
4. Follow the installation prompts. You may be asked to approve driver installations.
5. After installation, restart the VM.
6. Once rebooted, press Host Key + F (usually the Right Ctrl key) or go to View > Full-screen Mode.

Tip: You can also enable Auto-resize Guest Display from the View menu for better window integration.

For macOS VMs (Unofficial Workaround)

macOS isn’t officially supported as a guest OS in VirtualBox, so full screen is trickier:

1. Make sure your macOS VM is using VBoxSVGA as the graphics controller (set this in Settings > Display).
2. Set the desired resolution manually:
   • Open the Terminal in your macOS VM.
   • Use the following command (replace width and height): sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver DisplayResolutionEnabled -bool true
3. Alternatively, boot your VM into full screen by setting a custom resolution in the VirtualBox command line: VBoxManage setextradata "Your macOS VM Name" "VBoxInternal2/EfiGraphicsResolution" "1920x1080"
4. Restart your VM. VirtualBox will now boot with your chosen resolution. Press Host Key + F to toggle full screen.

Note: macOS in VirtualBox requires patching and isn’t officially supported. Expect limitations.

For Linux VMs (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, etc.)

1. Boot into your Linux VM.
2. Open a terminal and install required packages for building Guest Additions: sudo apt update sudo apt install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
3. Go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image… in VirtualBox.
4. The CD should auto-mount. If not, mount it manually.
5. In the terminal, run: sudo sh /media/$USER/VBox*/VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
6. Reboot the VM.
7. Press Host Key + F or use View > Full-screen Mode.

Tip: If full screen still doesn’t work, ensure “Auto-resize Guest Display” is enabled.

Related: Need More VM Storage?

If you’re running out of space on your virtual machine, check out this guide on How to Enlarge a Virtual Machine’s Disk in VirtualBox or VMware. It walks you through increasing your VM’s disk size safely and effectively.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Guest Additions not working? Try reinstalling them or ensure you’re using the right graphics controller (VBoxSVGA for Windows/macOS, VMSVGA for Linux).
• Still no full screen? Manually set a higher resolution in the VM’s display settings or via command line (VBoxManage).
• Host Key not working? Check what your VirtualBox Host Key is under File > Preferences > Input.

Final Thoughts

Full screen mode transforms the virtual machine experience, making it feel like a native OS. Just remember that Guest Additions are the key. Whether you’re running Windows, macOS, or Linux, once those are installed, full screen is just a keystroke away.

Need help with specific errors or resolutions? Drop a comment below!