How to Fix Windows Resolution in VirtualBox

VirtualBox is Windows 11’s great way to run numerous operating systems (even at the same time) right from the comfort of your PC. This virtual sandbox has a lot of benefits, but some hiccups too, as described in the headline of this article – VirtualBox: change Windows resolution. If you’re wondering how to do this, we’ll get you sorted out ASAP.

VirtualBox – Change Windows Resolution in These Ways

VirtualBox is a graphics and performance-heavy app. Resolution troubles on operating systems running inside it are usually caused by the lack of advanced graphics drivers that these OSs lack, leaving you with smaller resolutions that harken back to the days of CRT monitors. Thankfully, there are ways to fix this, and we have them below:

Insert Guest Additions

If you can’t change Windows resolution in VirtualBox, even when going full screen, a good first step is to install Guest Additions. Here’s how:

Step 1. Open VirtualBox, select your operating system, and click the “Start” button.

Step 2. Once started up, click “Devices” in the menu bar, then “Insert Guest Additions CD Image.”

Step 3. Then, in the virtual operating system, open an Explorer window and head to “This PC” in the sidebar.

Step 4. Double-click the “VirtualBox Guest Additions” icon.

Step 5. Scroll down to the Application files. Choose the one that matches your virtual operating system and right-click it, selecting “Run as Administrator.”

Step 6. The wizard will take you through the installation steps. Screen flickering is perfectly normal (it is a graphics driver addition after all) and should be resolved when finished installing.

Step 7. Once done, manually reboot your operating system inside VirtualBox.

Step 8. Once rebooted, click on “View” in the menu bar, then click “Full Screen.”

Step 9. Click “Switch” to confirm, and your resolution should be changed.

Force Things With Command Prompt

If VirtualBox isn’t cooperating or you have a custom resolution in mind, you can force things along with Command Prompt. Here’s how:

Step 1. Open the Run Dialog (Win + R) on your host machine and type “cmd” before hitting (Ctrl + Shift + Enter) to run as Administrator.

Step 2. In Command Prompt, type “VBoxManage setextradata “[VM name]” CustomVideoMode1 1920x1080x32” and hit “Enter.”

Step 3. Boot up your VM and head to the Display settings. The resolution you entered should be an option.

Configure the Graphics Controller

Another area that might be hindering you from a VirtualBox change resolution, Windows 11, is the graphics controller. Older controllers like “VBoxVGA” will be at odds with running newer operating systems like Windows 11. To change this:

Step 1. Close your operating system on VirtualBox.

Step 2. Click your VM in the sidebar and select “Settings.”

Step 3. In the window that pops up, navigate to the “Display” section in the side panel.

Step 4. In the main window, ensure your video memory is set to the highest possible.

Step 5. Click the “Graphics Controller” dropdown and select a different one. “VBoxSVGA” is a good controller for operating systems like Windows 11.

Step 6. Click “OK” to finalize and boot up your VM again.