VirtualBox

source: vbox/trunk/doc/manual/en_US/man_VBoxManage-guestcontrol.xml@ 106001

Last change on this file since 106001 was 106001, checked in by vboxsync, 3 months ago

doc/manual/man_VBoxManage-*: Updated a variety of the VBoxManage help
files to improve readability, corrected some typos, and made various
other corrections.

src/VBox/*: Updated some comments and log messages for a variety of
source files to correct the spelling of 'suppress'. A few APIC files
and USB files use 'supress' in variable names or manifest constants but
those were not changed.

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1<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
2<!--
3 manpage, user manual, usage: VBoxManage guestcontrol
4-->
5<!--
6 Copyright (C) 2006-2023 Oracle and/or its affiliates.
7
8 This file is part of VirtualBox base platform packages, as
9 available from https://www.virtualbox.org.
10
11 This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
12 modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
13 as published by the Free Software Foundation, in version 3 of the
14 License.
15
16 This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
17 WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
18 MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU
19 General Public License for more details.
20
21 You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
22 along with this program; if not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses>.
23
24 SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-only
25-->
26<!DOCTYPE refentry PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook XML V4.5//EN"
27 "http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/xml/4.5/docbookx.dtd"[
28<!ENTITY % all.entities SYSTEM "all-entities.ent">
29%all.entities;
30]>
31<refentry id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol" lang="en">
32 <refentryinfo>
33 <pubdate>$Date: 2024-09-10 11:15:32 +0000 (Tue, 10 Sep 2024) $</pubdate>
34 <title>VBoxManage guestcontrol</title>
35 </refentryinfo>
36
37 <refmeta>
38 <refentrytitle>VBoxManage-guestcontrol</refentrytitle>
39 <manvolnum>1</manvolnum>
40 </refmeta>
41
42 <refnamediv>
43 <refname>VBoxManage-guestcontrol</refname>
44 <refpurpose>control a virtual machine from the host system</refpurpose>
45 <refclass>&product-name;</refclass>
46 </refnamediv>
47
48 <refsynopsisdiv>
49 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-run">
50<!-- The 'id' is mandatory and must start with 'synopsis-'. -->
51 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
52 <group choice="req">
53 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
54 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
55 </group>
56 <arg choice="plain">run</arg>
57 <arg>--arg0=<replaceable>argument 0</replaceable></arg>
58 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
59 <arg>--dos2unix</arg>
60 <arg>--exe=<replaceable>filename</replaceable></arg>
61 <arg>--ignore-orphaned-processes</arg>
62 <group>
63 <arg choice="plain">--no-wait-stderr</arg>
64 <arg choice="plain">--wait-stderr</arg>
65 </group>
66 <group>
67 <arg choice="plain">--no-wait-stdout</arg>
68 <arg choice="plain">--wait-stdout</arg>
69 </group>
70 <group>
71 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
72 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
73 </group>
74 <arg>--profile</arg>
75 <arg>--putenv=<replaceable>var-name</replaceable>=[<replaceable>value</replaceable>]</arg>
76 <arg>--quiet</arg>
77 <arg>--timeout=<replaceable>msec</replaceable></arg>
78 <arg>--unix2dos</arg>
79 <arg>--unquoted-args</arg>
80 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
81 <arg>--cwd=<replaceable>directory</replaceable></arg>
82 <arg>--verbose</arg>
83 <arg choice="req">--<arg rep="repeat"><replaceable>argument</replaceable></arg></arg>
84 </cmdsynopsis>
85
86 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-start">
87 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
88 <group choice="req">
89 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
90 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
91 </group>
92 <arg choice="plain">start</arg>
93 <arg>--arg0=<replaceable>argument 0</replaceable></arg>
94 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
95 <arg>--exe=<replaceable>filename</replaceable></arg>
96 <arg>--ignore-orphaned-processes</arg>
97 <group>
98 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
99 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
100 </group>
101 <arg>--profile</arg>
102 <arg>--putenv=<replaceable>var-name</replaceable>=[<replaceable>value</replaceable>]</arg>
103 <arg>--quiet</arg>
104 <arg>--timeout=<replaceable>msec</replaceable></arg>
105 <arg>--unquoted-args</arg>
106 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
107 <arg>--cwd=<replaceable>directory</replaceable></arg>
108 <arg>--verbose</arg>
109 <arg choice="req">--<arg rep="repeat"><replaceable>argument</replaceable></arg></arg>
110 </cmdsynopsis>
111
112 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-copyfrom">
113 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
114 <group choice="req">
115 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
116 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
117 </group>
118 <arg choice="plain">copyfrom</arg>
119 <arg>--dereference</arg>
120 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
121 <group>
122 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
123 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
124 </group>
125 <arg>--quiet</arg>
126 <arg>--no-replace</arg>
127 <arg>--recursive</arg>
128 <arg>--target-directory=<replaceable>host-destination-dir</replaceable></arg>
129 <arg>--update</arg>
130 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
131 <arg>--verbose</arg>
132 <arg choice="req"><replaceable>guest-source0</replaceable></arg>
133 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>guest-source1</replaceable> [...]</arg>
134 <arg choice="req"><replaceable>host-destination</replaceable></arg>
135 </cmdsynopsis>
136
137 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-copyto">
138 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
139 <group choice="req">
140 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
141 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
142 </group>
143 <arg choice="plain">copyto</arg>
144 <arg>--dereference</arg>
145 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
146 <group>
147 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
148 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
149 </group>
150 <arg>--quiet</arg>
151 <arg>--no-replace</arg>
152 <arg>--recursive</arg>
153 <arg>--target-directory=<replaceable>guest-destination-dir</replaceable></arg>
154 <arg>--update</arg>
155 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
156 <arg>--verbose</arg>
157 <arg choice="req"><replaceable>host-source0</replaceable></arg>
158 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>host-source1</replaceable> [...]</arg>
159 </cmdsynopsis>
160
161 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-mkdir">
162 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
163 <group choice="req">
164 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
165 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
166 </group>
167 <arg choice="plain">mkdir</arg>
168 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
169 <arg>--mode=<replaceable>mode</replaceable></arg>
170 <arg>--parents</arg>
171 <group>
172 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
173 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
174 </group>
175 <arg>--quiet</arg>
176 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
177 <arg>--verbose</arg>
178 <arg choice="req" rep="repeat"><replaceable>guest-directory</replaceable></arg>
179 </cmdsynopsis>
180
181 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-rmdir">
182 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
183 <group choice="req">
184 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
185 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
186 </group>
187 <arg choice="plain">rmdir</arg>
188 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
189 <group>
190 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
191 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
192 </group>
193 <arg>--quiet</arg>
194 <arg>--recursive</arg>
195 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
196 <arg>--verbose</arg>
197 <arg choice="req" rep="repeat"><replaceable>guest-directory</replaceable></arg>
198 </cmdsynopsis>
199
200 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-rm">
201 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
202 <group choice="req">
203 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
204 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
205 </group>
206 <arg choice="plain">rm</arg>
207 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
208 <arg>--force</arg>
209 <group>
210 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
211 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
212 </group>
213 <arg>--quiet</arg>
214 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
215 <arg>--verbose</arg>
216 <arg choice="req" rep="repeat"><replaceable>guest-directory</replaceable></arg>
217 </cmdsynopsis>
218
219 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-mv">
220 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
221 <group choice="req">
222 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
223 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
224 </group>
225 <arg choice="plain">mv</arg>
226 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
227 <group>
228 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
229 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
230 </group>
231 <arg>--quiet</arg>
232 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
233 <arg>--verbose</arg>
234 <arg choice="req" rep="repeat"><replaceable>source</replaceable></arg>
235 <arg choice="req"><replaceable>destination-directory</replaceable></arg>
236 </cmdsynopsis>
237
238 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-mktemp">
239 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
240 <group choice="req">
241 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
242 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
243 </group>
244 <arg choice="plain">mktemp</arg>
245 <arg>--directory</arg>
246 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
247 <arg>--mode=<replaceable>mode</replaceable></arg>
248 <group>
249 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
250 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
251 </group>
252 <arg>--quiet</arg>
253 <arg>--secure</arg>
254 <arg>--tmpdir=<replaceable>directory-name</replaceable></arg>
255 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
256 <arg>--verbose</arg>
257 <arg choice="req"><replaceable>template-name</replaceable></arg>
258 </cmdsynopsis>
259
260 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-mount">
261 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
262 <group choice="req">
263 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
264 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
265 </group>
266 <arg choice="plain">mount</arg>
267 <group>
268 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
269 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
270 </group>
271 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
272 <arg>--verbose</arg>
273 </cmdsynopsis>
274
275 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-fsinfo">
276 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
277 <group choice="req">
278 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
279 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
280 </group>
281 <arg choice="plain">fsinfo</arg>
282 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
283 <group>
284 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
285 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
286 </group>
287 <arg>--human-readable</arg>
288 <arg>--quiet</arg>
289 <arg>--total</arg>
290 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
291 <arg>--verbose</arg>
292 <arg choice="req"><replaceable>path</replaceable></arg>
293 </cmdsynopsis>
294
295 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-stat">
296 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
297 <group choice="req">
298 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
299 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
300 </group>
301 <arg choice="plain">stat</arg>
302 <arg>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></arg>
303 <group>
304 <arg choice="plain">--passwordfile=<replaceable>password-file</replaceable></arg>
305 <arg choice="plain">--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></arg>
306 </group>
307 <arg>--quiet</arg>
308 <arg>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></arg>
309 <arg>--verbose</arg>
310 <arg choice="req"><replaceable>filename</replaceable></arg>
311 </cmdsynopsis>
312
313 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-list">
314 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
315 <group choice="req">
316 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
317 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
318 </group>
319 <arg choice="plain">list</arg>
320 <group choice="req">
321 <arg choice="plain">all</arg>
322 <arg choice="plain">files</arg>
323 <arg choice="plain">processes</arg>
324 <arg choice="plain">sessions</arg>
325 </group>
326 <arg>--quiet</arg>
327 <arg>--verbose</arg>
328 </cmdsynopsis>
329
330 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-closeprocess">
331 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
332 <group choice="req">
333 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
334 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
335 </group>
336 <arg choice="plain">closeprocess</arg>
337 <group>
338 <arg choice="plain">--session-id=<replaceable>ID</replaceable></arg>
339 <arg choice="plain">--session-name=<replaceable>name-or-pattern</replaceable></arg>
340 </group>
341 <arg>--quiet</arg>
342 <arg>--verbose</arg>
343 <arg choice="req" rep="repeat"><replaceable>PID</replaceable></arg>
344 </cmdsynopsis>
345
346 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-closesession">
347 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
348 <group choice="req">
349 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
350 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
351 </group>
352 <arg choice="plain">closesession</arg>
353 <group>
354 <arg choice="plain">--all</arg>
355 <arg choice="plain">--session-id=<replaceable>ID</replaceable></arg>
356 <arg choice="plain">--session-name=<replaceable>name-or-pattern</replaceable></arg>
357 </group>
358 <arg>--quiet</arg>
359 <arg>--verbose</arg>
360 </cmdsynopsis>
361
362 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-updatega">
363 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
364 <group choice="req">
365 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
366 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
367 </group>
368 <arg choice="plain">updatega</arg>
369 <arg>--quiet</arg>
370 <arg>--verbose</arg>
371 <arg>--source=<replaceable>guest-additions.ISO</replaceable></arg>
372 <arg>--wait-start</arg>
373 <arg>--<arg rep="repeat"><replaceable>argument</replaceable></arg></arg>
374 </cmdsynopsis>
375
376 <cmdsynopsis id="synopsis-vboxmanage-guestcontrol-watch">
377 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
378 <group choice="req">
379 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>uuid</replaceable></arg>
380 <arg choice="plain"><replaceable>vmname</replaceable></arg>
381 </group>
382 <arg choice="plain">watch</arg>
383 <arg>--quiet</arg>
384 <arg>--verbose</arg>
385 </cmdsynopsis>
386 </refsynopsisdiv>
387
388 <refsect1 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-description">
389 <title>Description</title>
390 <para>
391 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command> command enables you
392 to control a guest (VM) from the host system. See
393 <xref linkend="guestadd-guestcontrol" />.
394 </para>
395 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-common">
396 <title>Common Options and Operands</title>
397 <para>
398 The following options can be used by any of the
399 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command> subcommands:
400 </para>
401 <variablelist>
402 <varlistentry>
403 <term><option><replaceable>uuid</replaceable> | <replaceable>vmname</replaceable></option></term>
404 <listitem><para>
405 Specifies the Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) or name
406 of the VM.
407 </para></listitem>
408 </varlistentry>
409 <varlistentry>
410 <term><option>--quiet</option></term>
411 <listitem><para>
412 Specifies that the command produce quieter output.
413 </para><para>
414 The short form of this option is <option>-q</option>.
415 </para></listitem>
416 </varlistentry>
417 <varlistentry>
418 <term><option>--verbose</option></term>
419 <listitem><para>
420 Specifies that the command produce more detailed output.
421 </para><para>
422 The short form of this option is <option>-v</option>.
423 </para></listitem>
424 </varlistentry>
425 </variablelist>
426 <para>
427 Some of the <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol</command>
428 subcommands require that you provide guest credentials for
429 authentication. The subcommands are:
430 <command>copyfrom</command>, <command>copyto</command>,
431 <command>fsinfo</command>,
432 <command>mkdir</command>, <command>mktemp</command>,
433 <command>mount</command>,
434 <command>mv</command>, <command>rmdir</command>,
435 <command>rm</command>, <command>run</command>,
436 <command>start</command>, and <command>stat</command>.
437 </para>
438 <para>
439 While you cannot perform anonymous executions, a user account
440 password is optional and depends on the guest's OS security
441 policy. If a user account does not have an associated password,
442 specify an empty password. On OSes such as Windows, you might
443 need to adjust the security policy to permit user accounts with
444 an empty password. In addition, global domain rules might
445 apply and therefore cannot be changed.
446 </para>
447 <para>
448 The following options are used for authentication on the guest
449 VM:
450 </para>
451 <variablelist>
452 <varlistentry>
453 <term><option>--domain=<replaceable>domainname</replaceable></option></term>
454 <listitem><para>
455 Specifies the user domain for Windows guest VMs.
456 </para></listitem>
457 </varlistentry>
458 <varlistentry>
459 <term><option>--password=<replaceable>password</replaceable></option></term>
460 <listitem><para>
461 Specifies the password for the specified user. If you do
462 not specify a password on the command line or if the
463 password is empty, the specified user needs to have
464 an empty password.
465 </para></listitem>
466 </varlistentry>
467 <varlistentry>
468 <term><option>--passwordfile=<replaceable>filename</replaceable></option></term>
469 <listitem><para>
470 Specifies the absolute path to a file on the host system that
471 contains the password for the specified user. If the
472 password file is empty or if you do not specify a password
473 on the command line, the specified user needs to have an
474 empty password.
475 </para></listitem>
476 </varlistentry>
477 <varlistentry>
478 <term><option>--username=<replaceable>username</replaceable></option></term>
479 <listitem><para>
480 Specifies an existing user in the guest OS that runs the
481 process. If unspecified, the name of the user on the host
482 invoking the <command>VBoxManage</command> command will be
483 used as the username for the guest OS login.
484 </para></listitem>
485 </varlistentry>
486 </variablelist>
487 </refsect2>
488 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-process-restrictions">
489 <title>Guest Process Restrictions</title>
490 <para>
491 By default, you can run up to 255 guest processes simultaneously.
492 If attempting to start a new guest process would exceed
493 this limit and there are inactive guest processes then the the
494 oldest inactive guest process is discarded to run the new process.
495 You cannot retrieve the output from a discarded guest process. If
496 all 255 guest processes are active and running, attempting to start
497 a new guest process fails.
498 </para>
499 </refsect2>
500 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-run">
501 <title>Run a Command in the guest</title>
502 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
503 <para>
504 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
505 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> run</command> command enables
506 you to execute a program in the guest VM. Standard input,
507 standard output, and standard error are redirected from the VM
508 to the host system until the program completes.
509 </para>
510 <note>
511 <para>
512 Microsoft Windows imposes certain limitations when running
513 graphical user interface applications launched using
514 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol run</command>. See
515 <xref linkend="KnownIssues" />.
516 </para>
517 </note>
518 <variablelist>
519 <varlistentry>
520 <term><option>--exe=<replaceable>path-to-executable</replaceable></option></term>
521 <listitem><para>
522 Specifies the absolute path of the executable program to
523 run in the guest VM. For example:
524 <filename>C:\Windows\System32\calc.exe</filename>.
525 </para></listitem>
526 </varlistentry>
527 <varlistentry>
528 <term><option>--arg0=<replaceable>alternate-executable-name</replaceable></option></term>
529 <listitem><para>
530 Specifies an alternate name (i.e. arg0 or argv[0]) for the
531 executable being run in the guest.
532 </para></listitem>
533 </varlistentry>
534 <varlistentry>
535 <term><option>--cwd=<replaceable>path-to-directory</replaceable></option></term>
536 <listitem><para>
537 Specifies the absolute path of a directory in which
538 to start the program. Optional. The directory must
539 exist and be accessible to the guest user. For example:
540 <filename>C:\Users\production\work_area</filename>.
541 </para><para>
542 The short form of this option is <option>-C</option>.
543 </para></listitem>
544 </varlistentry>
545 <varlistentry>
546 <term><option>--timeout=<replaceable>msec</replaceable></option></term>
547 <listitem><para>
548 Specifies the maximum amount of time, in milliseconds,
549 that the program can run. While the program runs,
550 <command>VBoxManage</command> receives its output.
551 </para><para>
552 If you do not specify a timeout value,
553 <command>VBoxManage</command> waits indefinitely for the
554 process to end, or for an error to occur.
555 </para></listitem>
556 </varlistentry>
557 <varlistentry>
558 <term><option>--putenv=<replaceable>NAME</replaceable>=[<replaceable>value</replaceable>]</option></term>
559 <listitem><para>
560 Sets, modifies, and unsets environment variables in the
561 guest VM environment.
562 </para><para>
563 When you create a guest process, it runs with the default
564 standard guest OS environment. Use this option to modify
565 environment variables in that default environment.
566 </para><para>
567 Use the
568 <option>--putenv=<replaceable>NAME</replaceable>=[<replaceable>value</replaceable>]</option>
569 option to set or modify the environment variable specified
570 by <replaceable>NAME</replaceable>.
571 </para><para>
572 Use the
573 <option>--putenv=<replaceable>NAME</replaceable>=</option>
574 option to unset the environment variable specified by
575 <replaceable>NAME</replaceable>.
576 </para><para>
577 Ensure that any environment variable name or value that
578 includes spaces is enclosed by quotes.
579 </para><para>
580 Specify a <option>--putenv</option> option for each
581 environment variable that you want to modify.
582 </para><para>
583 The short form of this option is <option>-E</option>.
584 </para></listitem>
585 </varlistentry>
586 <varlistentry>
587 <term><option>--unquoted-args</option></term>
588 <listitem><para>
589 Disables the escaped double quoting of arguments that you
590 pass to the program. For example,
591 <literal>\"fred\"</literal>.
592 </para></listitem>
593 </varlistentry>
594 <varlistentry>
595 <term><option>--ignore-orphaned-processes</option></term>
596 <listitem><para>
597 Ignores orphaned processes. Not yet implemented.
598 </para></listitem>
599 </varlistentry>
600 <varlistentry>
601 <term><option>--profile</option></term>
602 <listitem><para>
603 Uses a shell profile to specify the environment to use.
604 Not yet implemented.
605 </para></listitem>
606 </varlistentry>
607 <varlistentry>
608 <term><option>--no-wait-stdout</option></term>
609 <listitem><para>
610 Does not wait for the guest process to end or receive its
611 exit code and any failure explanation.
612 </para></listitem>
613 </varlistentry>
614 <varlistentry>
615 <term><option>--wait-stdout</option></term>
616 <listitem><para>
617 Waits for the guest process to end to receive its exit
618 code and any failure explanation. The
619 <command>VBoxManage</command> command receives the
620 standard output of the guest process while the process
621 runs.
622 </para></listitem>
623 </varlistentry>
624 <varlistentry>
625 <term><option>--no-wait-stderr</option></term>
626 <listitem><para>
627 Does not wait for the guest process to end to receive its
628 exit code, error messages, and flags.
629 </para></listitem>
630 </varlistentry>
631 <varlistentry>
632 <term><option>--wait-stderr</option></term>
633 <listitem><para>
634 Waits for the guest process to end to receive its exit
635 code, error messages, and flags. The
636 <command>VBoxManage</command> command receives the
637 standard error of the guest process while the process
638 runs.
639 </para></listitem>
640 </varlistentry>
641 <varlistentry>
642 <term><option>--dos2unix</option></term>
643 <listitem><para>
644 Transform DOS or Windows guest output to UNIX or Linux
645 output. This transformation changes CR + LF line endings
646 to LF. Not yet implemented.
647 </para></listitem>
648 </varlistentry>
649 <varlistentry>
650 <term><option>--unix2dos</option></term>
651 <listitem><para>
652 Transform UNIX or Linux guest output to DOS or Windows
653 output. This transformation changes LF line endings to CR
654 + LF.
655 </para></listitem>
656 </varlistentry>
657 <varlistentry>
658 <term><option>-- [<replaceable>argument</replaceable>...]</option></term>
659 <listitem><para>
660 Specifies one or more arguments to pass to the program
661 being run in the guest.
662 </para><para>
663 Ensure that any command argument that includes spaces is
664 enclosed by quotes.
665 </para></listitem>
666 </varlistentry>
667 </variablelist>
668 </refsect2>
669 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-start">
670 <title>Start a Command on the guest</title>
671 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
672 <para>
673 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
674 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> start</command> command
675 enables you to execute a guest program and returns after
676 the command has been successfully started. The invoked
677 command doesn't wait until all data from stdout or stderr
678 has been read before returning.
679 </para>
680 <note>
681 <para>
682 Microsoft Windows imposes certain limitations when running
683 graphical user interface applications launched using
684 <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol start</command>. See
685 <xref linkend="KnownIssues" />.
686 </para>
687 </note>
688 </refsect2>
689 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-copyfrom">
690 <title>Copy a file from the guest to the host.</title>
691 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
692 <para>
693 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
694 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> copyfrom</command> command
695 enables you to copy a file from the guest VM to the host system.
696 </para>
697 <variablelist>
698 <varlistentry>
699 <term><option>--dereference</option></term>
700 <listitem><para>
701 Enables following of symbolic links on the guest file
702 system.
703 </para></listitem>
704 </varlistentry>
705 <varlistentry>
706 <term><option>--no-replace</option></term>
707 <listitem><para>
708 Only copies a file if it does not exist on the host yet.
709 </para><para>
710 The short form of this option is <option>-n</option>.
711 </para></listitem>
712 </varlistentry>
713 <varlistentry>
714 <term><option>--recursive</option></term>
715 <listitem><para>
716 Recursively copies files and directories from the
717 specified guest directory to the host.
718 </para><para>
719 The short form of this option is <option>-R</option>.
720 </para></listitem>
721 </varlistentry>
722 <varlistentry>
723 <term><option>--target-directory=<replaceable>host-dst-dir</replaceable></option></term>
724 <listitem><para>
725 Specifies the absolute path of the destination directory
726 on the host system. For example,
727 <filename>C:\Temp</filename>.
728 </para></listitem>
729 </varlistentry>
730 <varlistentry>
731 <term><option>--update</option></term>
732 <listitem><para>
733 Only copies a file if the guest file is newer than on the host.
734 </para><para>
735 The short form of this option is <option>-u</option>.
736 </para></listitem>
737 </varlistentry>
738 <varlistentry>
739 <term><literal><replaceable>guest-source0</replaceable> [<replaceable>guest-source1</replaceable> [...]]</literal></term>
740 <listitem><para>
741 Specifies the absolute path of one or more files to copy
742 from the guest VM. For example,
743 <filename>C:\Windows\System32\calc.exe</filename>. You can
744 use wildcards to specify multiple files. For example,
745 <filename>C:\Windows\System*\*.dll</filename>.
746 </para></listitem>
747 </varlistentry>
748 </variablelist>
749 </refsect2>
750 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-copyto">
751 <title>Copy a file from the host to the guest.</title>
752 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
753 <para>
754 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
755 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> copyto</command> command
756 enables you to copy a file from the host system to the guest VM.
757 </para>
758 <variablelist>
759 <varlistentry>
760 <term><option>--dereference</option></term>
761 <listitem><para>
762 Enables following of symbolic links on the host system.
763 </para></listitem>
764 </varlistentry>
765 <varlistentry>
766 <term><option>--no-replace</option></term>
767 <listitem><para>
768 Only copies a file if it does not exist on the guest yet.
769 </para><para>
770 The short form of this option is <option>-n</option>.
771 </para></listitem>
772 </varlistentry>
773 <varlistentry>
774 <term><option>--recursive</option></term>
775 <listitem><para>
776 Recursively copies files and directories from the
777 specified host directory to the guest.
778 </para><para>
779 The short form of this option is <option>-R</option>.
780 </para></listitem>
781 </varlistentry>
782 <varlistentry>
783 <term><option>--target-directory=<replaceable>guest-dst-dir</replaceable></option></term>
784 <listitem><para>
785 Specifies the absolute path of the destination directory
786 on the guest. For example,
787 <filename>/home/myuser/fromhost</filename>.
788 </para></listitem>
789 </varlistentry>
790 <varlistentry>
791 <term><option>--update</option></term>
792 <listitem><para>
793 Only copies a file if the host file is newer than on the guest.
794 </para><para>
795 The short form of this option is <option>-u</option>.
796 </para></listitem>
797 </varlistentry>
798 <varlistentry>
799 <term><literal><replaceable>host-source0</replaceable> [<replaceable>host-source1</replaceable> [...]]</literal></term>
800 <listitem><para>
801 Specifies the absolute path of a file to
802 copy from the host system. For example,
803 <filename>C:\Windows\System32\calc.exe</filename>. You can
804 use wildcards to specify multiple files. For example,
805 <filename>C:\Windows\System*\*.dll</filename>.
806 </para></listitem>
807 </varlistentry>
808 </variablelist>
809 </refsect2>
810 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-fsinfo">
811 <title>Show guest filesystem information.</title>
812 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
813 <para>
814 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
815 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> fsinfo</command> command
816 enables you to show filesystem information of the guest VM.
817 </para>
818 <para>
819 An alternate form of this subcommand is <command>df</command>.
820 </para>
821 <variablelist>
822 <varlistentry>
823 <term><option>--human-readable</option></term>
824 <listitem><para>
825 Shows the disk sizes in a human readable form.
826 </para>
827 </listitem>
828 </varlistentry>
829 <varlistentry>
830 <term><option>--total</option></term>
831 <listitem><para>
832 Produces a grand total of all disk sizes.
833 </para>
834 </listitem>
835 </varlistentry>
836 <varlistentry>
837 <term><literal><replaceable>guest-path</replaceable> [<replaceable>guest-path</replaceable>...]</literal></term>
838 <listitem><para>
839 Specifies an absolute path to show guest filesystem
840 information for.
841 </para></listitem>
842 </varlistentry>
843 </variablelist>
844 </refsect2>
845 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-mkdir">
846 <title>Create a directory on the guest.</title>
847 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
848 <para>
849 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
850 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> mkdir</command> command
851 enables you to create one or more directories on the guest VM.
852 </para>
853 <para>
854 Alternate forms of this subcommand are <command>md</command>,
855 <command>createdir</command>, and
856 <command>createdirectory</command>.
857 </para>
858 <variablelist>
859 <varlistentry>
860 <term><option>--parents</option></term>
861 <listitem><para>
862 Creates any of the missing parent directories of the
863 specified directory.
864 </para><para>
865 For example, if you attempt to create the
866 <filename>D:\Foo\Bar</filename> directory and the
867 <filename>D:\Foo</filename> directory does not exist,
868 using the <option>--parents</option> creates the missing
869 <filename>D:\Foo</filename> directory. However, if you
870 attempt to create the <filename>D:\Foo\Bar</filename> and
871 do not specify the <option>--parents</option> option, the
872 command fails.
873 </para></listitem>
874 </varlistentry>
875 <varlistentry>
876 <term><option>--mode=<replaceable>mode</replaceable></option></term>
877 <listitem><para>
878 Specifies the permission mode to use for the specified
879 directory. If you specify the <option>--parents</option>
880 option, the mode is used for the associated parent
881 directories, as well. <replaceable>mode</replaceable> is a
882 four-digit octal mode such as <literal>0755</literal>.
883 </para></listitem>
884 </varlistentry>
885 <varlistentry>
886 <term><literal><replaceable>guest-dir</replaceable> [<replaceable>guest-dir</replaceable>...]</literal></term>
887 <listitem><para>
888 Specifies an absolute path of one or more directories to
889 create on the guest VM. For example,
890 <filename>D:\Foo\Bar</filename>.
891 </para><para>
892 If all of the associated parent directories do not exist
893 on the guest VM, you must specify the
894 <option>--parents</option> option.
895 </para><para>
896 You must have sufficient rights on the guest VM to create
897 the specified directory and its parent directories.
898 </para></listitem>
899 </varlistentry>
900 </variablelist>
901 </refsect2>
902 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-rmdir">
903 <title>Remove a directory from the guest.</title>
904 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
905 <para>
906 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
907 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> rmdir</command> command
908 enables you to delete the specified directory from the guest VM.
909 </para>
910 <para>
911 Alternate forms of this subcommand are
912 <command>removedir</command> and
913 <command>removedirectory</command>.
914 </para>
915 <variablelist>
916 <varlistentry>
917 <term><option>--recursive</option></term>
918 <listitem><para>
919 Recursively removes directories from the specified from
920 the guest VM.
921 </para><para>
922 The short form of this option is <option>-R</option>.
923 </para></listitem>
924 </varlistentry>
925 <varlistentry>
926 <term><literal><replaceable>guest-dir</replaceable> [<replaceable>guest-dir</replaceable>...]</literal></term>
927 <listitem><para>
928 Specifies an absolute path of one or more directories to
929 remove from the guest VM. You can use wildcards to specify
930 the directory names. For example,
931 <filename>D:\Foo\*Bar</filename>.
932 </para><para>
933 You must have sufficient rights on the guest VM to remove
934 the specified directory and its parent directories.
935 </para></listitem>
936 </varlistentry>
937 </variablelist>
938 </refsect2>
939 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-rm">
940 <title>Remove a file from the guest.</title>
941 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
942 <para>
943 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
944 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> rm</command> command enables
945 you to delete the specified files from the guest VM.
946 </para>
947 <para>
948 The alternate form of this subcommand is
949 <command>removefile</command>.
950 </para>
951 <variablelist>
952 <varlistentry>
953 <term><option>--force</option></term>
954 <listitem><para>
955 Forces the operation and overrides any confirmation
956 requests.
957 </para><para>
958 The short form of this option is <option>-f</option>.
959 </para></listitem>
960 </varlistentry>
961 <varlistentry>
962 <term><literal><replaceable>guest-file</replaceable> [<replaceable>guest-file</replaceable>...]</literal></term>
963 <listitem><para>
964 Specifies an absolute path of one or more files to remove
965 from the guest VM. You can use wildcards to specify the
966 file names. For example,
967 <filename>D:\Foo\Bar\text*.txt</filename>.
968 </para><para>
969 You must have sufficient rights on the guest VM to remove
970 the specified file.
971 </para></listitem>
972 </varlistentry>
973 </variablelist>
974 </refsect2>
975 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-mv">
976 <title>Rename a file or Directory on the guest</title>
977 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
978 <para>
979 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
980 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> mv</command> command enables
981 you to rename files and directories on the guest VM.
982 </para>
983 <para>
984 Alternate forms of this subcommand are <command>move</command>,
985 <command>ren</command>, and <command>rename</command>.
986 </para>
987 <variablelist>
988 <varlistentry>
989 <term><literal><replaceable>guest-source</replaceable> [<replaceable>guest-source</replaceable>...]</literal></term>
990 <listitem><para>
991 Specifies an absolute path of a file or a single directory
992 to move or rename on the guest VM. You can use wildcards
993 to specify the file names.
994 </para><para>
995 You must have sufficient rights on the guest VM to access
996 the specified file or directory.
997 </para></listitem>
998 </varlistentry>
999 <varlistentry>
1000 <term><replaceable>dest</replaceable></term>
1001 <listitem><para>
1002 Specifies the absolute path of the renamed file or
1003 directory, or the destination directory to which to move
1004 the files. If you move only one file,
1005 <replaceable>dest</replaceable> can be a file or a
1006 directory, otherwise <replaceable>dest</replaceable> must
1007 be a directory.
1008 </para><para>
1009 You must have sufficient rights on the guest VM to access
1010 the destination file or directory.
1011 </para></listitem>
1012 </varlistentry>
1013 </variablelist>
1014 </refsect2>
1015 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-mktemp">
1016 <title>Create a Temporary File or Directory on the guest</title>
1017 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
1018 <para>
1019 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
1020 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> mktemp</command> command
1021 enables you to create a temporary file or temporary directory on
1022 the guest VM. You can use this command to assist with the
1023 subsequent copying of files from the host system to the guest
1024 VM. By default, this command creates the file or directory in
1025 the guest VM's platform-specific <filename>temp</filename>
1026 directory.
1027 </para>
1028 <para>
1029 Alternate forms of this subcommand are
1030 <command>createtemp</command> and
1031 <command>createtemporary</command>.
1032 </para>
1033 <variablelist>
1034 <varlistentry>
1035 <term><option>--directory</option></term>
1036 <listitem><para>
1037 Creates a temporary directory that is specified by the
1038 <replaceable>template</replaceable> operand.
1039 </para></listitem>
1040 </varlistentry>
1041 <varlistentry>
1042 <term><option>--secure</option></term>
1043 <listitem><para>
1044 Enforces secure file and directory creation by setting the
1045 permission mode to <literal>0755</literal>. Any operation
1046 that cannot be performed securely fails.
1047 </para></listitem>
1048 </varlistentry>
1049 <varlistentry>
1050 <term><option>--mode=<replaceable>mode</replaceable></option></term>
1051 <listitem><para>
1052 Specifies the permission mode to use for the specified
1053 directory. <replaceable>mode</replaceable> is a four-digit
1054 octal mode such as <literal>0755</literal>.
1055 </para></listitem>
1056 </varlistentry>
1057 <varlistentry>
1058 <term><option>--tmpdir=<replaceable>directory</replaceable></option></term>
1059 <listitem><para>
1060 Specifies the absolute path of the directory on the guest
1061 VM in which to create the specified file or directory. If
1062 unspecified, <replaceable>directory</replaceable> is the
1063 platform-specific <filename>temp</filename> directory.
1064 </para></listitem>
1065 </varlistentry>
1066 <varlistentry>
1067 <term><replaceable>template</replaceable></term>
1068 <listitem><para>
1069 Specifies a template file name for the temporary file,
1070 without a directory path. The template file name must
1071 contain at least one sequence of three consecutive X
1072 characters, or must end in X.
1073 </para></listitem>
1074 </varlistentry>
1075 </variablelist>
1076 </refsect2>
1077 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-mount">
1078 <title>Shows mount points on the guest</title>
1079 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
1080 <para>
1081 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
1082 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> mount</command> command
1083 enables you to the current mount points on
1084 the guest VM. For Windows guests this shows the mapped drives.
1085 </para>
1086 </refsect2>
1087 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-stat">
1088 <title>Show a file or File System Status on the guest</title>
1089 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
1090 <para>
1091 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
1092 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> stat</command> command enables
1093 you to show the status of files or file systems on the guest VM.
1094 </para>
1095 <variablelist>
1096 <varlistentry>
1097 <term><literal><replaceable>file</replaceable> [<replaceable>file</replaceable> ...]</literal></term>
1098 <listitem><para>
1099 Specifies an absolute path of a file or file system on the
1100 guest VM. For example,
1101 <filename>/home/foo/a.out</filename>.
1102 </para><para>
1103 You must have sufficient rights on the guest VM to access
1104 the specified files or file systems.
1105 </para></listitem>
1106 </varlistentry>
1107 </variablelist>
1108 </refsect2>
1109 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-list">
1110 <title>List the Configuration and Status Information for a Guest Virtual
1111 Machine</title>
1112 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
1113 <para>
1114 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
1115 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> list</command> command enables
1116 you to list guest control configuration and status information.
1117 For example, the output shows open guest sessions, guest
1118 processes, and files.
1119 </para>
1120 <variablelist>
1121 <varlistentry>
1122 <term><literal>all</literal>|<literal>sessions</literal>|<literal>processes</literal>|<literal>files</literal></term>
1123 <listitem><para>
1124 Indicates the type of information to show.
1125 <literal>all</literal> shows all available data,
1126 <literal>sessions</literal> shows guest sessions,
1127 <literal>processes</literal> shows processes, and
1128 <literal>files</literal> shows files.
1129 </para></listitem>
1130 </varlistentry>
1131 </variablelist>
1132 </refsect2>
1133 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-closeprocess">
1134 <title>Terminate a Process in a guest Session</title>
1135 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
1136 <para>
1137 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
1138 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> closeprocess</command> command
1139 enables you to terminate a guest process that runs in a guest
1140 session. Specify the process by using a process identifier (PID)
1141 and the session by using the session ID or name.
1142 </para>
1143 <variablelist>
1144 <varlistentry>
1145 <term><option>--session-id=<replaceable>ID</replaceable></option></term>
1146 <listitem><para>
1147 Specifies the ID of the guest session.
1148 </para></listitem>
1149 </varlistentry>
1150 <varlistentry>
1151 <term><option>--session-name=<replaceable>name</replaceable>|<replaceable>pattern</replaceable></option></term>
1152 <listitem><para>
1153 Specifies the name of the guest session. Use a pattern
1154 that contains wildcards to specify multiple sessions.
1155 </para></listitem>
1156 </varlistentry>
1157 <varlistentry>
1158 <term><literal><replaceable>PID</replaceable> [<replaceable>PID</replaceable> ...]</literal></term>
1159 <listitem><para>
1160 Specifies the list of PIDs of guest processes to
1161 terminate.
1162 </para></listitem>
1163 </varlistentry>
1164 </variablelist>
1165 </refsect2>
1166 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-closesession">
1167 <title>Close a guest Session</title>
1168 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
1169 <para>
1170 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
1171 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> closesession</command> command
1172 enables you to close a guest session. Specify the guest session
1173 either by session ID or by name.
1174 </para>
1175 <variablelist>
1176 <varlistentry>
1177 <term><option>--session-id=<replaceable>ID</replaceable></option></term>
1178 <listitem><para>
1179 Specifies the ID of the guest session.
1180 </para></listitem>
1181 </varlistentry>
1182 <varlistentry>
1183 <term><option>--session-name=<replaceable>name</replaceable>|<replaceable>pattern</replaceable></option></term>
1184 <listitem><para>
1185 Specifies the name of the guest session. Use a pattern
1186 that contains wildcards to specify multiple sessions.
1187 </para></listitem>
1188 </varlistentry>
1189 <varlistentry>
1190 <term><option>--all</option></term>
1191 <listitem><para>
1192 Closes all guest sessions.
1193 </para></listitem>
1194 </varlistentry>
1195 </variablelist>
1196 </refsect2>
1197 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-updatega">
1198 <title>Update the Guest Additions Software on the guest</title>
1199 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
1200 <para>
1201 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
1202 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> updatega</command> command
1203 enables you to update the Guest Additions software installed in
1204 the specified guest VM.
1205 </para>
1206 <para>
1207 Alternate forms of this subcommand are
1208 <command>updateadditions</command> and
1209 <command>updateguestadditions</command>.
1210 </para>
1211 <variablelist>
1212 <varlistentry>
1213 <term><option>--source=<replaceable>new-iso-path</replaceable></option></term>
1214 <listitem><para>
1215 Specifies the absolute path of the Guest Additions update
1216 <filename>.ISO</filename> file on the guest VM.
1217 </para></listitem>
1218 </varlistentry>
1219 <varlistentry>
1220 <term><option>--reboot</option></term>
1221 <listitem><para>
1222 Automatically reboots the guest after a successful Guest Additions
1223 update.
1224 </para></listitem>
1225 </varlistentry>
1226 <varlistentry>
1227 <term><option>--timeout=<replaceable>ms</replaceable></option></term>
1228 <listitem><para>
1229 Sets the timeout (in ms) to wait for the overall Guest Additions update
1230 to complete. By default no timeout is being used.
1231 </para></listitem>
1232 </varlistentry>
1233 <varlistentry>
1234 <term><option>--verify</option></term>
1235 <listitem><para>
1236 Verifies whether the Guest Additions were updated successfully after
1237 a successful installation. A guest reboot is mandatory.
1238 </para></listitem>
1239 </varlistentry>
1240 <varlistentry>
1241 <term><option>--wait-ready</option></term>
1242 <listitem><para>
1243 Waits for the current Guest Additions being ready to handle the
1244 Guest Additions update.
1245 </para>
1246 </listitem>
1247 </varlistentry>
1248 <varlistentry>
1249 <term><option>--wait-start</option></term>
1250 <listitem><para>
1251 Starts the <command>VBoxManage</command> update process on
1252 the guest VM and then waits for the Guest Additions update
1253 to begin before terminating the
1254 <command>VBoxManage</command> process.
1255 </para><para>
1256 By default, the <command>VBoxManage</command> command
1257 waits for the Guest Additions update to complete before it
1258 terminates. Use this option when a running
1259 <command>VBoxManage</command> process affects the
1260 interaction between the installer and the guest OS.
1261 </para></listitem>
1262 </varlistentry>
1263 <varlistentry>
1264 <term><option>-- <replaceable>argument</replaceable> [<replaceable>argument</replaceable> ...]</option></term>
1265 <listitem><para>
1266 Specifies optional command-line arguments to pass to the
1267 Guest Additions updater. You might use the
1268 <option>--</option> option to pass the appropriate updater
1269 arguments to retrofit features that are not yet installed.
1270 </para><para>
1271 Ensure that any command argument that includes spaces is
1272 enclosed by quotes.
1273 </para></listitem>
1274 </varlistentry>
1275 </variablelist>
1276 </refsect2>
1277 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-waitrunlevel">
1278 <title>Wait for a guest run level</title>
1279 <para>
1280 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
1281 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> waitrunlevel</command> command
1282 enables you to wait for a guest run level being reached.
1283 </para>
1284 <variablelist>
1285 <varlistentry>
1286 <term><option>--timeout=<replaceable>ms</replaceable></option></term>
1287 <listitem><para>
1288 Sets the timeout (in ms) to wait for reaching the run level.
1289 By default no timeout is being used.
1290 </para></listitem>
1291 </varlistentry>
1292 <varlistentry>
1293 <term><option><replaceable>system</replaceable>|<replaceable>userland</replaceable>|<replaceable>desktop</replaceable></option></term>
1294 <listitem><para>
1295 Specifies the run level to wait for.
1296 </para></listitem>
1297 </varlistentry>
1298 </variablelist>
1299 </refsect2>
1300 <refsect2 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-watch">
1301 <title>Show Current Guest Control Activity</title>
1302 <remark role="help-copy-synopsis"/>
1303 <para>
1304 The <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol
1305 <replaceable>vmname</replaceable> watch</command> command
1306 enables you to show current guest control activity.
1307 </para>
1308 </refsect2>
1309 </refsect1>
1310
1311 <refsect1 id="vboxmanage-guestcontrol-examples">
1312 <title>Examples</title>
1313 <remark role="help-scope" condition="GLOBAL"/>
1314 <para>
1315 The following <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol run</command>
1316 command executes the <command>ls -l /usr</command> command on the
1317 <literal>My OL VM</literal> Oracle Linux VM as the
1318 <literal>user1</literal> user.
1319 </para>
1320<screen>
1321$ VBoxManage --nologo guestcontrol "My OL VM" run --exe "/bin/ls" \
1322--username user1 --passwordfile pw.txt --wait-stdout -- -l /usr
1323</screen>
1324 <para>
1325 The <option>--exe</option> option specifies the absolute path of
1326 the command to run in the guest VM, <filename>/bin/ls</filename>.
1327 Use the <option>--</option> option to pass any arguments that
1328 follow it to the <command>ls</command> command.
1329 </para>
1330 <para>
1331 Use the <option>--username</option> option to specify the user
1332 name, <literal>user1</literal> and use the
1333 <option>--passwordfile</option> option to specify the name of a
1334 file that includes the password for the <literal>user1</literal>
1335 user, <filename>pw.txt</filename>.
1336 </para>
1337 <para>
1338 The <option>--wait-stdout</option> option waits for the
1339 <command>ls</command> guest process to complete before providing
1340 the exit code and the command output. The
1341 <option>--nologo</option> option suppresses the output of the logo
1342 information.
1343 </para>
1344 <para>
1345 The following <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol run</command>
1346 command executes the <command>ipconfig</command> command on the
1347 <literal>My Win VM</literal> Windows VM as the
1348 <literal>user1</literal> user. Standard input, standard output,
1349 and standard error are redirected from the VM to the host system
1350 until the program completes.
1351 </para>
1352<screen>
1353$ VBoxManage --nologo guestcontrol "My Win VM" run \
1354--exe "c:\\windows\\system32\\ipconfig.exe" \
1355--username user1 --passwordfile pw.txt --wait-stdout
1356</screen>
1357 <para>
1358 The <option>--exe</option> specifies the absolute path of command
1359 to run in the guest VM,
1360 <filename>c:\windows\system32\ipconfig.exe</filename>. The double
1361 backslashes shown in this example are required only on UNIX host
1362 systems.
1363 </para>
1364 <para>
1365 Use the <option>--username</option> option to specify the user
1366 name, <literal>user1</literal> and use the
1367 <option>--passwordfile</option> option to specify the name of a
1368 file that includes the password for the <literal>user1</literal>
1369 user, <filename>pw.txt</filename>.
1370 </para>
1371 <para>
1372 The <option>--wait-stdout</option> option waits for the
1373 <command>ls</command> guest process to complete before providing
1374 the exit code and the command output. The
1375 <option>--nologo</option> option to suppress the output of the
1376 logo information.
1377 </para>
1378 <para>
1379 The following <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol start</command>
1380 command executes the <command>ls -l /usr</command> command on the
1381 <literal>My OL VM</literal> Oracle Linux VM until the program
1382 completes.
1383 </para>
1384<screen>
1385$ VBoxManage --nologo guestcontrol "My Win VM" start \
1386--exe "c:\\windows\\system32\\ipconfig.exe" \
1387--username user1 --passwordfile pw.txt
1388</screen>
1389 <para>
1390 The following <command>VBoxManage guestcontrol run</command>
1391 command executes a <command>/usr/bin/busybox -l /usr</command>
1392 command on the <literal>My OL VM</literal> Oracle Linux VM as the
1393 <literal>user1</literal> user, explicitly using <literal>ls</literal>
1394 as argument 0.
1395 </para>
1396<screen>
1397$ VBoxManage --nologo guestcontrol "My OL VM" run --exe "/usr/bin/busybox" \
1398--username user1 --passwordfile pw.txt --wait-stdout --arg0 ls -- -l /usr
1399</screen>
1400 <para>
1401 The <option>--exe</option> option specifies the absolute path of
1402 the command to run in the guest VM, <filename>/usr/bin/busybox</filename>.
1403 Use the <option>--</option> option to pass any arguments that
1404 follow it to the <command>busybox</command> command.
1405 </para>
1406 <para>
1407 Use the <option>--username</option> option to specify the user
1408 name, <literal>user1</literal> and use the
1409 <option>--passwordfile</option> option to specify the name of a
1410 file that includes the password for the <literal>user1</literal>
1411 user, <filename>pw.txt</filename>.
1412 </para>
1413 <para>
1414 The <option>--wait-stdout</option> option waits for the
1415 <command>ls</command> guest process to complete before providing
1416 the exit code and the command output. The
1417 <option>--nologo</option> option suppresses the output of the logo
1418 information.
1419 </para>
1420 <para>
1421 The <option>--arg0</option> option explicitly specifies the argument 0
1422 to use for the command to execute.
1423 </para>
1424 <para>
1425 The default value of argument 0 (i.e. arg0 or argv[0]) is the value
1426 from the <option>--exe</option> option unless the <option>--arg0</option>
1427 option has been supplied.
1428 </para>
1429 </refsect1>
1430</refentry>
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