Shared Folders disappear after Guest shutdown

[Nicholas Tait]

These step numbers correspond to picture numbers:

1) Open VM settings, Shared Folders tab. There are no folders here. Close the "VM Settings" window.

2) Start up VM and open file browser. Navigate to Network then VBOXSVR. Refresh (F5). No folders here, which makes sense.

3) Re-open settings, Shared Folders tab. Add your shared folder, selecting only the Auto-mount option. Hit OK to close "Add Share" window.

4) Confirm that the shared folder was correctly added to "VM Settings" window then close it.

5) Swap to VM. Refresh file browser (still in VBOXSVR folder). Shared folder appears. HOORAY! Close "VM Settings" window.

6) From within VM, Shutdown guest.

7) Re-open "VM Settings" window, go to Shared Folders. No folders show up here. :(

8) Repeat step 2. No folders show up. SAD PANDA!

I can re-add the folder and have it show up again, but this wastes my time.

Tested with these hosts: Windows 7 (VBox = 4.2.6) Ubuntu 12 (VBox = 4.1.18_Ubuntu)

Tested with this guest: Windows 7 I used the same shared folder and guest which are stored on an NTFS external hard drive.

PS: VirtualBox is an amazing product. Keep up the great work!

[Nicholas Tait]

WHEW! Adding all those attachments took a lot of work. Time for lunch.

[Frank Mehnert]

I think you have to mark the shared folder permanent. This will make the folder setting survive VM shutdowns.

[Nicholas Tait]

Yep, that is it! Please mark this ticket as invalid.

I mis-understood that "make permanent" text to mean something like "keep a copy of this folder in the guest even when the actual shared folder is not available". The overlay text "If checked, this shared folder will be permanent." does not provide any real extra information. I would recommend slightly different wording for either the overlay or text directly on the Edit Share window. Something like "keep/retain after shutdown" or reversing the polarity might be clearer "remove on reboot".

META side note: This is my first ticket on this site, was expecting an automatic email anytime there was an update. But I didn't get one when you replied frank. I just went into preferences and added my email address. It would be nice if this step were done automatically for new users.