Running virtual machines with Oracle’s VirtualBox can sometimes lead to a headache if your menu bar at the top goes poof! This bar, packed with useful options like “File”, “Machine”, “View”, “Input”, “Devices”, “Help”, and others, is pretty important for smoothly operating your virtual machine. Losing it could really mess up your workflow, whether you’re on Windows 10, the shiny Windows 11, or any other operating system inside your VM.
This short guide will show you what could be the cause of the issue and several ways on how to bring back the menu bar again in VirtualBox.
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Show the menu bar again in VirtualBox
Got a missing menu bar? No worries. Just hit the Right Control + Home keys on your keyboard. Think of it like a magic spell to make that elusive menu bar show up again, even if just for a bit. The right Control key is also known as the “Host Key” in VirtualBox land, and it’s your go-to for a bunch of shortcuts.
Once you’ve summoned the temporary menu bar, here’s how to keep it around:
- Hit “View” on that temporary menu bar.
- Hover over “Menu Bar” in the dropdown.
- Click “Show Menu Bar” to make sure it sticks around.
Clicking “Show Menu Bar” locks it in place for all your future virtual works.
Also see: How to Show Menu Bar in Chrome
Enable the menu bar via User Interface settings
Another way to get your menu bar back is through VirtualBox’s own settings. Here’s the drill:
- Pop open the Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager. That’s your home base when you fire up VirtualBox.
- Spot the troublesome VM on the list and click its name.
- With the VM highlighted, tap the “Settings” button up top to bring up a new window.
- Click on “User Interface” on the left to explore the UI options.
- Look for a checkbox next to “menu bar”. If it’s unchecked, your menu bar is playing hide-and-seek. Check it to bring it back.
Follow these steps, and your menu bar should be right back where it belongs.
Other issue: VirtualBox Windows 11 or 10 Stuck on Boot Logo
Check if VirtualBox is in scale mode
VirtualBox has this thing called “Scale Mode”, where it tries to fit the VM window to your screen. Handy, but it might hide your menu bar in the process.
To quit scale mode and get your menu back, press Right Control + C. This switches you back to windowed mode, where the menu bar usually hangs out.
Related resource: How to Open VMDK File in Windows 11
Ensure VirtualBox is in windowed mode
Just like scale mode, going full-screen in VirtualBox might hide your menu bar too. This mode is all about giving you a full view of the guest operating system, minus the VirtualBox decor.
To leave full-screen and bring back windowed mode (and your menu bar), hit Right Control + F.
Reinstall VirtualBox
If you’ve tried everything and the menu bar is still playing hard to get, you might need to reinstall VirtualBox:
- Back up everything important, like your VMs.
- Remove VirtualBox via the “Add or Remove Programs” in Windows.
- Give your computer a quick reboot.
- Head over to the VirtualBox site and grab the latest version.
- Install it and see if that fixes your menu bar mystery.
Final notes
The menu bar in VirtualBox is like a map to all the neat features and settings you need. When it disappears, it’s more than just annoying—it can make getting things done a lot harder. The way VirtualBox shows things can hide the menu bar, especially in full-screen or scale mode. So, making sure you’re in windowed mode and checking the “User Interface” settings are important fixes.
