Ubuntu 12.10 – How to Uninstall VirtualBox Guest Additions

These instructions are for removing VirtualBox Guest Additions from Ubuntu 12.10 running under VirtualBox version 4.2.2.

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:

NOTE: everything at the command line is case sensitive, so make sure you get the UpPeR and lOwEr case letters right.

cd /media
cd <username>
cd VBOXADDITIONS_4.2.2_81494
sudo sh VBoxLinuxAdditions.run uninstall

Note: <username> is the name of the user who installed the VirtualBox Guest Additions. This is a new change in Ubuntu 12.10 – in previous versions of Ubuntu, this additional directory level did not exist

VBOXADDITIONS_4.2.2_81494 depends on which version of VirtualBox Guest Additions you have installed. 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, the VirtualBox Guest Additions will be uninstalled:

Note: Linux does not echo back your password. When you type your password, it looks like nothing is happening on screen. This is normal.

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: