These instructions are for removing VirtualBox Guest Additions from Ubuntu 11.10 running under VirtualBox version 4.1.12.

They may be the same or similar for other version combinations and other Linux distros, but no guarantee is made.

Assumes you know how to open a terminal. Instructions for opening a terminal can be found here.

Uninstalling VirtualBox Guest Additions

1) Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and enter the following commands:

cd /media
cd VBOXADDITIONS_4.1.12_77218
sudo sh VBoxLinuxAdditions.run uninstall

Note: VBOXADDITONS_4.1.12_77218 depends on which version of VirtualBox you are running. The way I enter it is to: (1) type cd VB, then (2) press the Tab key to auto-complete the name.

After entering your password (Linux does not echo back your password, so you get no feedback when entering it – you just type and it looks like nothing is happening), the VirtualBox Guest Additions will be uninstalled:

Ejecting the VirtualBox Guest Additions CD

Having uninstalled the VirtualBox Guest Additions, there is not much point in keeping the Guest Additions media installed.

2) Click on the Home Folder icon on the Unity Launcher:

3) Click on the Eject icon next to the Guest Additions: