Adding additional disk to guest OS on VirtualBox

 If you are running out of space on the guest OS that you have created under the VirtualBox, the following steps can be followed to add a new disk. I have provided the steps in GUI which can also be done using VBoxManage createmedium command. 

Step 1: Go to File - Click on Virtual Media Manager

Step 2: Click on Create

Step 3: Choose VMDK and click on Next

To learn about different Hard disk file type, click here

Step 4: Choose Dynamically allocated and click Next

Step 5: Provide the image file name, size and click on Create

Since we have provided option to Dynamically allocated, the disk image will be created and the initial size will be very low. I have provided 30 GB of size and the initial disk image created is of size 3.81 MB which will grow dynamically as we start using/writing on it. 

Click on close once the disk is created successfully. 

Once the disk image is created, we can then attach the storage to the OS that we are in need of space as below. The same operation can also be done using command line with VBoxManage storageattach commands

Step 1: Select the VM you want to add the disk and click on Storage

Step 2: Click on Adds Hard disk button under Controller: SATA

Step 3: Choose the hard disk you would like to add and click on Choose

You can now see that the hard disk is added to the VM. Click on OK to close the dialog box and start the VM to use. 

Happy learning...!!!