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In many linux distributions (at least the ones based on debian), virtualbox can be installed directly in console with or without third-party repository, example:

Ubuntu repo:

apt install virtualbox virtualbox-ext-pack

or vbox repo:

echo "deb http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -sc) contrib" | tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/virtualbox.list
wget -q https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc -O- | apt-key add -
apt -y install virtualbox-6.1
export VBOX_VER=`VBoxManage --version|awk -Fr '{print $1}'`
wget -c http://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/$VBOX_VER/Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-$VBOX_VER.vbox-extpack
VBoxManage extpack install Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-$VBOX_VER.vbox-extpack

What is the difference between both installation methods and which is the most recommended?

Very Important:

The question is NOT about why virtualbox doesn't work properly in Ubuntu 20.04, from ubuntu repo (I know it doesn't work as it should. See bug discussion HERE). The question is about the installation methods and the differences between two methods. For example why in some distributions (or versions) it works well with Ubuntu repo and in others virtualbox repo is necessary because Ubuntu repo does not work as it should

acgbox
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1 Answers1

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I don't know about any PPA containing VirtualBox. Neither of ways mentioned in the question get any PPA involved.

You have two options:

  1. Install Virtualbox from Ubuntu repositories.

  2. Download a deb file from https://www.virtualbox.org/.

Currently there is not much difference which one to install, because both ways will install the 6.1.6 version.

It doesn't make sense to add the source manually, because installing deb with dpkg will do it for you.

The difference is from where you will receive updates. In the first case you'll get them from Ubuntu repositories, that may get updates with delays or stop updating at some point.

In the second case, an update source from virtualbox will be set up.

But if you are using an older Ubuntu release, or later with the 20.04 the difference will be with VirtualBox version. Ubuntu maintainers won't switch for a new major version. And if you want the latest VirtualBox release, installing it from a deb will be the only option.

Regarding that virtualbox doesn't have a focal deb and the repo, it should be updated soon. In this case I recommend to install from Ubuntu repos for now. You can switch later, if the repos won't properly get updates.

mook765
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Pilot6
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