Installing a VDI Image in VirtualBox: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

If you work with virtual machines on a daily basis, sooner or later you will need Install a VDI image in VirtualBox without complicating your life. Importing an already created disk saves you time, avoids cumbersome reinstallations, and, in Windows environments, even allows you to keep licensed software without reactivating it from scratch.

In this guide I explain in detail how create and/or import a virtual machine using a VDI, how mount an ISO if you prefer to start from scratch, and how to fine-tune the settings: CPU, network, shared folders, Guest Additions, clipboard, encryption, cloning, exporting and, very useful, extending the VDI disk or converting it to mount directly on the host.

What is a VDI and when should you use it?

VDI (Virtual Disk Image) is the native disk format of VirtualBox; inside it contains the operating system, programs and data of the VM, so that import a VDI It's equivalent to reusing a pre-installed installation. It's ideal when you've reinstalled your equipment, moved machines between PCs, or want to open downloaded virtual machines without reinstalling anything.

If you're coming from other platforms, VirtualBox also supports disks. VMDK (VMware) and VHD (Virtual PC/Hyper-V), so you can open or convert them as needed, keeping your environments without redoing them.

Previous requirements

For the typical case of importing a VDI image, it is enough to have a Linux or Windows desktop with graphical environment and VirtualBox correctly installed. The steps are practically identical on any distro, for example with VirtualBox on Ubuntu It works just like in other distributions.

Also, make sure you have the file .vdi on your disk and if you want to take advantage of advanced features like clipboard, drag and drop or shared folders, also install Guest Additions in the VM once you import or create the operating system.

Importing a VDI image into VirtualBox (step by step)

This is the fastest procedure to get an existing VM up and running from your VDI disk. Works on Linux and Windows with the current VirtualBox interface.

1. Open VirtualBox and click on New. In the creation window, enter the machine name and choose the type and version of the operating system that contains the VDI (for example, Windows XP if your disk was created with that system).
2. Adjust the RAM memory depending on your host's resources. Choose a reasonable amount for the guest OS without leaving your computer short of breath.
3. In the disk section, select the option Use an existing virtual hard disk file, click the folder icon and locate your file with the .vdi extension. Once selected, VirtualBox will display its name and size .
4. press Create. With this, the VM is associated with your VDI and you can check its parameters (network, processors, video) before starting it. If everything is OK, you will have the imported virtual machine and ready to go.

Importing a VDI saves you from redoing the entire installation, and in older environments like Windows XP, it's pure gold if you rely on programs that would be difficult to reinstall or reactivate today.

Create a virtual machine from ISO (if you prefer to start from scratch)

If instead of importing a VDI you want install the system from ISOVirtualBox includes a very clear wizard. You can, for example, download a Windows ISO with the Media Creation Tool and continue.

1) Press Create and then if it appears to you, change to Expert mode to have all the settings at hand. Name the VM, choose the system type and version, and assign RAM depending on what your team has.

2) Choose Create a new virtual hard disk. As a format, the usual one is VDI, although you can also choose VMDK or VHD according to future compatibility.

3) Select Dynamically booked to make the file grow as you use it (this is the most flexible option). Define the capacity, choose the destination folder with the corresponding icon, and press Create.

4) Open the VM settings (right click > Configuration) and go to System > Processor to assign cpu cores. Then, in Storage, select the CD icon, press to the right and click on Select virtual optical disk file to load the ISO.

5) Accept and start with StartThe VM will boot from the ISO, and you'll be able to install the system just like you would on a physical PC, step by step and without any surprises.

Guest Additions, Shared Folders, and Clipboard

After installing a VDI image in VirtualBox, it is worth adding VirtualBox Guest Additions. They improve graphics performance, enable dynamic window resizing and make it easier to file exchange.

Shared Folders: With the VM off or on, go to Settings > Shared Folders, click the folder icon with “+”, choose the host folder, name it and activate the options you want (read-only, auto-mount, etc.).

Clipboard and drag/drop: go to General > Advanced and choose Bidirectional both in Share Clipboard and in Drag and Drop. Remember that for it to work stably you need the Guest Additions installed inside the guest.

Host Key and Shortcuts in the VM

VirtualBox defines a Host key for shortcuts that could hijack the host (the default is usually right Ctrl). From the VM bar, open Input > Keyboard and enable combinations like Ctrl + Alt + Del to launch them into the guest without affecting the physical equipment.

If you want to review or modify shortcuts, go to Keyboard Preferences from the same menu to see all assignable combinations and customize them to your liking.

Network in VirtualBox: Choose the Right Mode

The network is key when installing the VDI image in VirtualBox. This is so that the VM can navigate or integrate with your LAN. Settings> Network You can select the mode that best suits your use case.

Available options: Not connected (without net), NAT (by default, it goes out to the Internet through the host), NAT Network (like NAT but allowing multiple VMs to see each other), bridge adapter (the VM gets IP from the router and behaves like any other computer on the network), Internal network (only between VMs on the same internal network), Host-only adapter (exclusive connection between host and VM) and Generic controller (special cases).

To integrate it into your office or home and have it seen by other teams, choose Bridge adapterWhen you apply the change, you'll see that the system asks you to reconnect, and immediately afterward, the VM will receive an IP address from your router as if it were just another PC.

Manage disks: expand a VDI, add a second disk, and view disk space

If you run out of space, you can expand a VDI or add another virtual drive. Keep in mind that for resizing, it's best to have a dynamic disk and have the VM powered off before changing anything.

Extend a VDI (Windows): Locate the .vdi file and make a backup copy just in case. Open a console in the VirtualBox installation folder (for example, C:\\Program Files\\Oracle\\VirtualBox) with Shift + right click > Open PowerShell window here.

Run the resize command with VBoxManage indicating the disk path and the new size in MB:

.\VBoxManage.exe modifyhd "D:\\virtual machines\\Windows10 x64 Home\\Windows10 x64 Home.vdi" --resize 80000

After completing, start the VM and in Disk management In Windows you will see the extra space in black; right click on the system partition and choose Extend volume to take advantage of all the new size.

Add a second disk: in Settings> Storage, add a new device (IDE/SATA/SCSI/NVMe) and press Create a hard drive. Define format (VDI), size, option dynamic and create. Within the guest OS, open Disk Management, initialize the new disk, create a simple volume, and assign it a letter.

If after installing the VDI image in VirtualBox the new volume does not appear in the file explorer immediately, a VM reboot usually leaves it visible instantly.

Export, import, clone, and open VMware disks

To share or move VMs between platforms, VirtualBox allows to export to OVF or OVA (the latter packages everything into a single file). Go to File > Export Virtualized Service, choose the VM, format, and destination, add metadata if you want, and press Export.

For the reverse process, use File > Import virtualized service, select the OVF/OVA package and follow the wizard until the deployment to your computer is complete.

If you need an identical copy, shut down the VM and choose Clone. Give it a name and check the box Reset MAC address to avoid network conflicts. You'll have two identical machines ready to work.

Do you have a VMware disk? Click on New, choose Use an existing virtual hard disk file and select the .vmdk. Configure the RAM and name, and create the VM; VirtualBox opens the VMDK without any problems and allows you to apply your own options.

You now have a solid method for installing a VDI image in VirtualBox, sharing data, expanding storage, cloning or exporting machines, and, if needed, converting a VDI to a VHD to read its contents directly on the host. This comprehensive roadmap covers everything from classic scenarios (such as legacy VMs without networking) to modern setups with bridged networking and productivity features like the two-way clipboard.