VirtualBox Linux GUEST symlinks under Windows 7 HOST

Symlinks on Linux VM under Windows host.md

#VirtualBox Linux GUEST symlinks under Windows 7 HOST (for an administrator user):

1. Create hidden user:

 net user {username} {password}/add
 net local group Users {username} /add

2. Give permissions to C:\Users{currentUser} folder for {username}

• Go to C:\Users
• Open {CurrentUser} folder properties -> Security Tab
• Add {username} with the full control

3. Make symlink to .VirtualBox folder

• Run cmd as Administrator, cd %windir%/system32/config/systemprofile
• Run mklink /j .VirtualBox C:\Users\{currentUser}\.VirtualBox

4. Share folder avoiding MAX_PATH issue

• Run cmd, cd %VBOX_MSI_INSTALL_PATH%
• Run VBoxManage sharedfolder add {VM_NAME} --name {SHARE_NAME} --hostpath "\\?\C:\SOME_PATH\{SHARE_NAME}" --automount

C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox>

5. Enable Symlinks for Virtual machine

• Run cmd, cd %VBOX_MSI_INSTALL_PATH%
• Run VBoxManage setextradata {VM_NAME} VBoxInternal2/SharedFoldersEnableSymlinksCreate/{SHARE_NAME} 1

6. Enable symlinks as non-admin user

• Run the Local Security Policy (Win+R, type "secpol.msc", confirm UAC). Then navigate to "Local Policies->User Rights Assignment".
• Find the permission called "Create symbolic links" and double-click it. Add your user to the list of objects having this permission. Or you can add the "Users" group. Log off and log on.

7. Run VM

• runas /user:{username} "%VBOX_MSI_INSTALL_PATH%\VirtualBox.exe --startvm {VM_NAME}
• type {password}

8. Enjoy!