Will updating my Mac break Windows 7?
I’ve been running Windows 7 Q Home Premium inside Virtualbox 2.0 on a Macbook Pro bought in 2015, which runs OS X Yosemite (10.10). It’s the only way I can run my specialist Windows software on this lovely, healthy machine. Most of the software I use this way is ticking over nicely. Recently, I’ve been frustrated as several programs I use natively on the Mac now require me to update to macos or they won’t function properly. I’ve avoided doing this in case in the process I lose Virtualbox and everything inside it.
I’m wondering if it’s safe to update to macos and apply the Virtualbox updates without losing my Windows 7 setup and files? Or would it mean a complete reinstall of everything, which I wouldn't relish? Pam Crane
Apple’s own support page, at A www.snipca.com/38599, states that the 2015-era Macbook Pro should be able to run the latest version of macos (11.3.1), or Big Sur as it’s nicknamed (see screenshot above right). However, as you’re currently running such an old version of the operating system, you might have to apply multiple updates in succession, so it could take a while before you reach the end point. So, that side of things should be okay.
Next, Virtualbox. If you really are still running version 2.0 of the product – which was released way back in 2008 – then it too will likely need updating, as we’re not convinced that such an old version would run under Big Sur. The latest version (6.1.22) is a free download, from www.virtualbox.org. Again, we don’t foresee that a 2015 Macbook Pro upgraded to Big Sur would have any problem running Virtualbox 6.1.22 – though we can of course offer no guarantees for your specific setup.
That just leaves your Windows 7 virtual machine. This is the aspect that’s least likely to cause you problems, because the whole thing is contained within a single Virtual Disk Image, or VDI, file. This means it’s unaffected by whatever happens ‘outside’ its confines.
Upgrading from OS X to macos shouldn’t delete this or any other file, and nor should updating Virtualbox. However, to be on the safe side, you can take a backup of the VDI file.
To do this, first go to your Macbook’s Finder icon, then open the Go menu and choose Library. Now choose Virtualbox and, within that, you should see your Windows 7 VDI file – so just drag and drop it on to a USB stick or other external drive.