Virtualbox settings / centralized local packages and settings management for new VMS? Cinnamon and unstable sources
 

Hello,

I switched from using VMWare Workstation to Virtualbox
and have some questions:

Is there some way to change the standard settings with which a new VM is created?
Also the notifications are very annoying. Is there some way to disable them completely?

And is it possible to see the vms in the main virtualbox window like in workstation? To not have them open in a new windows but be able to switch just using the overview window on the left in the main virtualbox window?

Some way to automatically add all vms in virtualbox i have on my nas? Looks like virtualbox does not support scanning a directory for vms like vmware, but i need to add each one individually?


Is is possible to set up some centralized configuration on my nas so some packages and settings i configure will be loaded/installed for any distribution I install in Virtualbox?

Maybe the centralized package installation thing could be done with flatpak? But if possible i prefer the native packages over flatpak... Can i create a local Flatpak repository?


All in all is Virtualbox shit for what im trying to do? Some better alternative than VMWare Workstation for home use and kinda centralized VM Management on a Synology NAS?



Also Im trying to use Cinnamon DE with unstable debian sources for a VM:

Whats the best way to use Cinnamon Desktop and unstable debian sources?

I used remoero unstable lmde sources in my LMDE vm and also added debian unstable sources and updated everything, but now its unable to launch a cinnamon session after the reboot

Same issue happened when I installed a siduction vm with Cinnamon.

Thanks!

I use VB regularly and have found it quite stable. I feel confident to address at least a few of your questions:

Once you create a new VM, you can go into the settings for that VM (click the VM in the left windows and select settings at the top of the right window) and a settings dialog will appear. I commonly customize the size of the virtual HDD and amount of RAM. You can also change the settings of an existing VM, as long as the VM is not running at the time.

If I have more than one VM running, I normally switch between them just as I would switch between application windows.

In my opinion, the same way that you would if you were on bare metal.

Good luck.