VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management
Change a Virtual Machine Name in Oracle VirtualBox
Learn how to rename an existing VM in Oracle VirtualBox Manager, what the name change affects, and why guest hostnames and VM files remain unchanged.
Renaming a virtual machine (VM) in Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager changes the label used to identify it in the Manager. It does not rename the operating system inside the VM, and it does not automatically rename the VM's folder, configuration file, virtual disks, snapshots, or saved-state files.
This guide explains the safe GUI procedure and the difference between a VirtualBox display name, a guest operating system hostname, and VM storage files.
What the VirtualBox VM Name Means
A virtual machine is a software-defined computer that runs an operating system and applications through a hypervisor. The Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager is the desktop application used to create, configure, organize, and start those machines.
The VM name is the user-facing label shown for a machine in VirtualBox Manager. Renaming it is a management and identification task. It helps you recognize the machine without changing the guest operating system or its workload.
- Identify the operating system and release, such as Ubuntu 24.04.
- Distinguish environments, such as development, testing, or production-like lab systems.
- Describe a workload or server role, such as web testing or database development.
- Identify an owner, project, or other organizational detail when several people manage the same host.
For example, changing Ubuntu to Ubuntu 24.04 - Web Test makes the VM's purpose clearer in the Manager list.
Prerequisites and Preparation
- Open Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager.
- Find the intended VM in the list. If several machines have similar names, verify the selected machine carefully before continuing.
- Shut down the guest operating system normally.
- Confirm that the VM is not running and is not in a saved state.
Before confirming the change, check details such as the guest operating system, assigned resources, and storage location when similarly named VMs exist. This reduces the risk of renaming the wrong machine.
Rename a VM in VirtualBox Manager
- Select the target virtual machine in the VirtualBox Manager list.
- Open the machine's Settings dialog.
- Choose the General category.
- Open the Basic tab. General settings contain basic machine identification options.
- Locate the Name field.
- Replace the existing value with the desired display name.
- Use the dialog's confirmation control, such as OK, to save the change.
- Check the VM list and confirm that the new label appears.
The essential path is VirtualBox Manager > select VM > Settings > General > Basic > Name.
What Changes and What Does Not
The standard Manager procedure changes the VM's displayed name. It is not the same as renaming files on the host computer or changing the computer name inside the guest operating system.
| Item | Changed by the Manager rename procedure? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| VirtualBox Manager display name | Yes | The label shown in the VirtualBox Manager list changes. |
| Guest operating system hostname | No | The network or system identity configured inside Windows, Linux, or another guest remains unchanged. |
| VM configuration filename | Not necessarily | The VirtualBox machine-definition file stores settings and may retain its existing filename. |
| Virtual machine folder name | No | The directory containing the VM files is not automatically renamed. |
| Virtual disk filename | No | Disk-image files used for virtual storage may continue to use their previous names. |
| Snapshots and saved-state files | No | Existing snapshot data, saved execution state, and related files are not automatically renamed. |
VM Files and Folders
A VM commonly has several related storage objects:
- A VM configuration file, which stores the machine's VirtualBox settings.
- One or more virtual disks, which are disk-image files used as the VM's storage.
- Saved-state files, which preserve execution state so a VM can resume without a normal shutdown.
- Snapshots, which preserve a VM state that can be used to return to an earlier point.
- Logs and other supporting files.
- The folder that contains these VM assets.
Changing the Manager label is a display-name update, not a file-system rename. A file path, storage browser, backup job, script, or external reference may still show the former folder or disk-file names after the Manager label changes.
Choose a Clear VM Name
Use a consistent naming pattern that communicates the VM's purpose. Include the operating system, release, environment, workload role, or owner when those details help distinguish machines.
| Use case | Unclear name | Suggested descriptive name |
|---|---|---|
| Development VM | Linux | Ubuntu 24.04 - Development |
| Test VM | Windows | Windows 11 - Testing |
| Operating system version identification | Ubuntu | Ubuntu 24.04 - Lab |
| Server-role VM | Server 1 | Debian 12 - Web Test |
Avoid names that are so short or generic that they can be confused with other VMs. For example, Windows 11 - Development and Windows 11 - Testing clearly separate two similar guest systems.
Verify the Rename
- Confirm that the new label appears in the VirtualBox Manager list.
- If needed, open Settings > General > Basic again and verify the value in the Name field.
- Start the VM and confirm that it operates normally.
- If a storage path or backup tool still displays the former name, remember that file and folder names are separate from the Manager label.
The guest may still report its former computer name or hostname inside Windows or Linux. That is expected because the guest operating system hostname is configured separately from the VirtualBox VM name.
Troubleshooting
The name appears unchanged
- Confirm that you selected the correct VM before opening Settings.
- Reopen General > Basic and inspect the Name field.
- Make sure you confirmed the settings dialog instead of dismissing or canceling it.
The VM folder or virtual disk still has the old name
The standard display-name change does not automatically rename VM files or their containing directory. Treat those existing names as separate storage objects. Do not rename them casually because VirtualBox may rely on their paths and disk references.
The computer name inside the guest did not change
The VirtualBox VM label and the guest operating system hostname are independent settings. If the intended result is a new hostname or computer name, change that setting from inside the guest operating system.
Settings cannot be changed
- Check whether the VM is still running.
- Check whether the VM is in a saved state.
- Shut down the guest cleanly, then try the rename again.
Key Points
- The VM name is the label displayed by VirtualBox Manager.
- Renaming the label does not change the guest operating system hostname.
- The VM folder, configuration file, virtual disks, snapshots, saved-state files, and logs are not automatically renamed.
- Shut down the VM before changing its configuration.
- Verify the selected machine and confirm the new label in the Manager list.
For related configuration guidance, continue with VirtualBox virtual machine naming and management.