Windows Subsystem for Linux gives you a Linux environment inside Windows, while Oracle VirtualBox runs entire operating systems as separate virtual machines. This page covers version 7.2.22, released October 20, 2026, at 169.9 MB. The installer is fetched from download.virtualbox.org, Oracle's own server.
Free, open source and GPL-3.0-only
The app is free and licensed under GPL-3.0-only. It has no ads, no in-app purchases and no paid tier, so there is no cost for the Windows build.
It is tagged as FOSS and cross-platform. The developer is Oracle and/or its affiliates.
Full virtualization on x86_64, with Solaris and macOS support
VirtualBox is general-purpose full virtualization software for x86_64 hardware. Version 7.1 added macOS on Arm. Oracle targets laptop, desktop, server and embedded use.
It runs on Linux, Windows, macOS and Solaris. The description names flexible networking and interactive performance as its strong points, and it describes a graphical interface for setting up machines.
The intended audience is people who need several operating systems running at once and who have basic knowledge of PCs and operating system installation. Software testing is the example task given.
Version 7.2.22 and the October 2026 update
The current build is 7.2.22, released and last updated on October 20, 2026.
Oracle VirtualBox pros and cons
Pros
- Free under GPL-3.0-only
- Downloads from Oracle's official host, download.virtualbox.org
- Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS and Solaris
- Networking setup is described as flexible
- Updated October 20, 2026 as version 7.2.22
Cons
- Changes in 7.2.22 are not documented here
- The installer is 169.9 MB
- Assumes basic knowledge of operating system installation
- The interface cannot be previewed on this page
Is Oracle VirtualBox safe?
The file comes from download.virtualbox.org, the official server, and this site only links to it. The publisher is Oracle and/or its affiliates, and the licence is GPL-3.0-only. No independent security review is available, so verify the file source before installing.
How to install Oracle VirtualBox
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start Oracle VirtualBox from the Start menu.
