- Oracle fixes VirtualBox compatibility problem for Windows 11.
- As a result, Microsoft removes the upgrade block to Windows 11.
- VirtualBox still doesn’t have support for TPM and Secure Boot.
Windows 11 is now safe to download and install on devices running VirtualBox. Although Windows 11 has been available as a free upgrade since October 2021, Microsoft had to place a safeguard hold for computers using VirtualBox. The reason was that an issue with the virtualization technology from Oracle was causing errors and failure when starting a virtual machine if any of the Microsoft Hyper-V components were present on the computer.
The safeguard hold prevented users from upgrading a Windows 10 computer to Windows 11 to avoid potential issues during and after the installation. However, Oracle has resolved the compatibility issues between VirtualBox and the Microsoft virtualization platform since version 6.1.28. If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11, it’s possible to remove the safeguard hold on the computer by installing VirtualBox 6.1.28 or higher. The company also warns that it could ” take up to 48 hours before the update to Windows 11, version 21H2 is offered.”
In the case that VirtualBox is no longer installed on the computer, but the upgrade block is still present, it might indicate that you might have an application that is based on VirtualBox or which has bundled VirtualBox within their installation. If you have any components that use or create virtual machines or system images, you might need to update or uninstall them to remove this safeguard hold.
Once the block has been removed, you can trigger the upgrade manually from the Windows Update settings page like a regular monthly update with the difference that the process will take longer.
Although the latest update of VirtualBox fixes a critical issue, it does not resolve the Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 support problems for users wanting to install Windows 11 on a virtual machine. However, Oracle is actively working on the next version of the virtualization platform that is said to include the necessary support to meet the security requirements of Windows 11.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].