To start a virtual machine (VM), you have the following options:

• Double-click the VM's name in the machine list in .

• Select the VM's name in the machine list in , and click Start in the toolbar the top of the window.

• Go to the VirtualBox VMs folder in your system user's home directory. Find the subdirectory of the machine you want to start and double-click the machine settings file. This file has a .vbox file extension.

The VM you started appears in a new window and you will see it start to boot up, or prompt you to install an operating system as required. Everything that would normally be seen on the virtual system's monitor is shown in the window.

In general, you can use the virtual machine as you would use a real computer. The following topics describe a few points to note when running a VM.