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Practice Wordpress in VirtualBox

Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Run WordPress Preconfigured Virtual Machine

This guide lets you run a ready-made WordPress instance using either VirtualBox (Windows/Linux/macOS Intel/AMD)** or (macOS Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3). It includes automated setup scripts that start the virtual machine and open WordPress automatically at:

http://wordpress:8000

⚙️ Part 1 — For Intel Users (Windows) VirtualBox

1. Download Required Files

📦 From Google Drive:

Make sure both files are saved in the same folder (e.g., Downloads\WordPress_VM).

2. Install VirtualBox

  1. Visit https://www.virtualbox.org.
  2. Download and install VirtualBox (default settings are fine).

3. Prepare Windows System

Before running the script, temporarily disable security features that may block VM imports or local web services.

🛡️ Disable Windows Defender Protections

  1. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection.
  2. Click Manage settings.

  3. Turn OFF:

  4. Real-time protection

  5. Dev Drive protection
  6. If you use third-party antivirus (e.g., Avast, McAfee), pause real-time protection temporarily.

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⚠️ Re-enable protections once WordPress setup is complete.

4. Run the Setup Script

  1. Right-click the downloaded .bat file → Run as Administrator.

  2. The script will automatically:

  3. Add the 127.0.0.1 WordPress entry to your Windows hosts file

  4. Import the .ova file automatically into VirtualBox
  5. Start the WordPress virtual machine
  6. Wait until the web server is ready
  7. Launch WordPress in your browser at: 👉 http://WordPress:8000

5. Login to WordPress

  • Username: learn
  • Password: wd123

6. Troubleshooting (Windows)

🔹 “VBoxManage.exe not found”

Check your PATH variable:

  1. Open System Properties → Advanced → Environment Variables.
  2. In System Variables, find Path.
  3. Click Edit → New → add:

C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\ 4. Click OK, then rerun the bat file.

🔹 Network Access

Ensure your VirtualBox network adapter is set to NAT (default). If WordPress doesn’t load, restart the VM.

⚙️ Part 2 — For Intel Users (Mac) VirtualBox

1. Download Required Files

📦 From Google Drive:

Save both files in the same folder (e.g., Downloads/WordPress_VM).

2. Install VirtualBox

  1. Visit https://www.virtualbox.org.
  2. Download and install VirtualBox for macOS Intel.

  3. After installation:

  4. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security

  5. If macOS blocks VirtualBox, click Allow

3. Run the .sh File to Start VM and Browser

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Drag the .sh file into the Terminal window.
  3. Press Enter.

The script will automatically:

  • Import the OVA file
  • Start the Virtual Machine
  • Launch WordPress in your default browser at: 👉 http://WordPress:8000

💡 If you see “permission denied”, run:

bash chmod +x autopart-moodle.sh

and retry.

4. Access WordPress

Open your browser (if not already open) and visit: 👉 http://WordPress:8000

Login Details

  • Username: learn
  • Password: wd123

⚙️ Part 3 — Setup Guide for Mac (Apple Silicon / Silver Processor)

1. Download Required Files

📦 From Google Drive:

Save both files in the same folder (e.g., Downloads/WordPress_VM).

2. Install VirtualBox

Download and install the Apple Silicon (ARM64) macOS / Apple Silicon hosts: 👉 https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/macOS / Apple Silicon hosts

After installation:

  • Open System Settings → Privacy & Security
  • If macOS blocks VirtualBox, click Allow

3. Run the .sh File to Start VM and Browser

  1. Open Terminal
  2. Drag the .sh file into the Terminal window
  3. Press Enter

The script will automatically:

💡 If you see “permission denied”, run:

bash chmod +x autopart-wp.sh

and retry.

4. Access WordPress

Once the VM is running:

⚙️ Troubleshooting

Issue Possible Fix
Browser doesn’t open Manually visit http://WordPress:8000
VM won’t start Ensure VirtualBox is installed correctly
Path error (Windows) Check System Path variables
macOS blocks file Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Allow
“Permission denied” in Terminal Run chmod +x autopart-wp.sh and retry
WordPress doesn’t load Restart the VM or check network adapter (use NAT)