Windows
Compatible applications
Quick Facts
Basic information about this file format
Extension
.VBOX-PREV
File Type
VirtualBox Machine Settings Backup File
Category
Data
Best first step
Use compatible software
Quick Summary
A practical overview of the .vbox-prev file format
A VBOX-PREV file is a backup configuration file automatically created by Oracle VM VirtualBox, a widely used open-source virtualization software. This file is generated whenever a virtual machine's settings are modified, serving as a direct copy of the previous state of the primary VBOX file. It is…
File extension
.VBOX-PREV
File type
VirtualBox Machine Settings Backup File
Category
Data
Recommended action
Open with a trusted compatible app
How to open a .vbox-prev file
Start with a trusted app that supports this format
- Check the file extension carefully and confirm that the file name really ends with .vbox-prev.
- Use software that supports this file type. If one app does not work, try another compatible program for the same platform.
- Update the application if the file was created by a newer version of the software.
- Scan files from unknown sources before opening them, especially documents, archives, scripts, installers, and executable files.
What is a .vbox-prev file?
File extension details and usage information
A VBOX-PREV file is a backup configuration file automatically created by Oracle VM VirtualBox, a widely used open-source virtualization software. This file is generated whenever a virtual machine's settings are modified, serving as a direct copy of the previous state of the primary VBOX file. It is saved in a structured XML format and contains essential metadata regarding the virtual machine's environment, including allocated RAM, CPU cores, virtual hard drive paths, network adapter configurations, and shared folders. If the primary VBOX file becomes corrupted, damaged, or lost due to an unexpected system crash, users can easily recover their virtual machine configuration by renaming the VBOX-PREV file to have a VBOX extension. Because it is written in plain XML, it can also be opened, inspected, and manually edited using any standard text editor.
Software Compatibility
Programs that may open or work with .vbox-prev files
macOS
Compatible applications
Linux
Compatible applications
Mobile
Mobile applications
Can .vbox-prev files be converted?
Options for saving or exporting this file to another format
In many cases, a .vbox-prev file can be converted by opening it in compatible software and using an option such as Save As, Export, or Convert. The available output formats depend on the file type and the application used.
- Use the original software that created the file when possible.
- Check whether the application supports exporting to common formats.
- Be careful with online converters when working with private, business, or sensitive files.
- If conversion fails, the file may be corrupted, incomplete, encrypted, or not actually a .vbox-prev file.
Why can't I open a .vbox-prev file?
Common reasons this file type may not open correctly
Wrong software
The file may require a specific program that supports the .vbox-prev format.
Incorrect extension
The file extension may have been renamed manually, even though the actual file format is different.
Corrupted file
The file may be incomplete, damaged during download, or transferred incorrectly.
Outdated app
Your software may need to be updated before it can open newer versions of this file format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about .vbox-prev files
To open a .vbox-prev file, use software that supports this file format.
- Oracle VM VirtualBox
- Notepad++
- Microsoft Notepad
- TextEdit
- BBEdit
Open the file in compatible software and look for options such as Save As, Export, or Convert. If no export option is available, the file may require a specialized converter or the original application that created it.
- Verify that the file extension is correct.
- Install or update compatible software.
- Try another application that supports this format.
- Check whether the file is corrupted, incomplete, or encrypted.
A file extension alone does not guarantee whether a file is safe or unsafe. Only open files from trusted sources, scan unknown files before opening them, and be especially careful with executable, script, archive, and document files.
File safety tips
Use caution with unknown files
Only open files from trusted sources. Before opening a .vbox-prev file, scan it with antivirus software, verify that the file extension is expected, and avoid running unknown executable, installer, macro-enabled document, or script files.