Microsoft will prevent users from upgrading Windows 11 on devices that are eligible for the upgrade if they run VirtualBox. Microsoft says VirtualBox and Windows 11 have financial issues, so the company has now put in place an upgrade block to prevent these devices from failing after an upgrade. However, in an update earlier this month, Microsoft has confirmed that it has been resolved through a software update released by Oracle.
Microsoft said at the time: “Microsoft and Oracle have identified a compatibility issue between VirtualBox and Windows 11 when Hyper-V or Windows Hypervisor is installed. You may not be able to start a virtual machine (VM) and you may receive an error. To safeguard your upgrade experience, we’ve placed a compatibility pause on these devices, preventing them from installing or offering Windows 11. If your organization is using Update Compliance, the Assurance ID is 35004082”.
In other words, the latest version of VirtualBox fixes Windows 11 compatibility issues, so make sure you install it before moving to the new OS version. Microsoft explains: “Oracle has addressed this issue in VirtualBox 6.1.28 and later. To remove the protective hold on your device, you’ll need to update to VirtualBox 6.1.28 or later. Please note, If no other safeguards affect your device, it may take up to 48 hours for the update to version 21H2 of Windows 11 to be available.”
If you don’t have VirtualBox and Windows 11 still doesn’t work, Microsoft says there are a few more things to check. “If you don’t have VirtualBox installed, but you receive this safeguard, you probably have a VirtualBox-based application or have VirtualBox bundled in its installation,” Microsoft said. If you have any software that uses or creates virtual machines or system images apps, you may need to update or uninstall them to remove this safeguard.”
