Can’t update Windows 10 because VirtualBox needs to be uninstalled

Updating Windows is vital as it eliminates bugs that expose your computer to risks. Doing it is usually a seamless process but, that might not be the case if you have VirtualBox on your PC. Many people with the software say they always bump into an error when updating Windows. If you have been experiencing the same problem, stick around to learn how to permanently resolve it.

Is It Necessary to Uninstall VirtualBox Before Updating Windows?

VirtualBox is a third-party virtualization software that emulates other operating systems, like Hackintosh and Linux. It runs smoothly on Windows without demanding any special hardware but also seems to interfere with system updates.

Many people say they see the following error message when trying to update Windows 10:

“The following things need your attention to continue the installation and keep your Windows settings, personal files, and apps.

Virtual Box

Uninstall this app because it isn’t compatible with Windows 10.”

As the error dictates, you must uninstall VirtualBox to fix the issue. However, you may scroll through your entire apps’ list and not see VirtualBox, making it hard to uninstall it. Some people say they have never even used the program but still get the error message, which can be pretty confusing.

How to Uninstall VirtualBox on Windows 10 PCs

Although the issue seems complicated, it is still solvable. Below are several proven methods that can help resolve it. We have started with the easiest tactics so, apply them in order until the problem is eliminated.

Let’s dive in.

Fix 1: Uninstall VirtualBox and Delete Its Leftover Files

Since the error message suggests you uninstall VirtualBox to solve the issue, do so via the Control panel, and then delete its remnant files. Also, if you have used VirtualBox before, ensure you delete any leftover files as they could be the culprit.

Here is how to do so:

1. Press the Win + S key combo to bring up the Windows search box.
2. Type in “control” (no quotes) and then select the Control Panel search result.
3. Click on the View By dropdown arrow in the upper-right corner of the window. Then, choose Large icons.
4. Next, select Programs and Features.
5. Scroll down the Uninstall or change a program section to locate VirtualBox.
6. Right-click on it and select Uninstall. Then, follow any further instructions to complete the process.

To delete the leftover files, follow this quick guide:

1. Use the Windows key + E combination to summon the File Explorer.
2. Switch to the View tab and then select the checkbox for Hidden Items.
3. Open Local Disk (C:) and go to Users.
4. Double-click on the User folder and open AppData.
5. Go to Local and scroll down the window to find the “.VirtualBox” folder.
6. Right-click on it and select Delete.
7. Next, go to the Windows search bar (Win + S) and type in “%userprofile%” (without quotes). Hit Enter.
8. Look for .VirtualBox, right-click on it, and then choose Delete.
9. Next, open the File Explorer (Win + E) and go to Local Disk (C:).
10. Open the Program Files folder and then go to Oracle.
11. Locate the VirtualBox folder and select it. Then, use the Shift key + Del combo to delete it.
12. Reboot your computer.

Fix 2: Use the Official Installer

VirtualBox’s official installer offers an option to remove the app from your device, which you can also use.

Here is how this method works:

1. Download VirtualBox from this website.
2. Go to the installation folder and double-click on the .exe file.
3. Proceed to the window that asks you whether to install, repair, or remove the program.
4. Select the remove option and then follow the on-screen instructions to finish the uninstallation.
5. Once done, restart the machine.
6. Now try updating Windows.

Fix 3:  Uninstall Emulation Applications

If you don’t have VirtualBox on your computer but still get the error under discussion, then there is definitely a simulation software triggering the issue. Some emulation programs use VirtualBox’s elements, hence being treated as VirtualBox by Windows.

LD Player is the most common culprit, but other apps like Nemu, Bluestacks, and Android Studio can also trigger the problem.

These steps will guide you through uninstalling your emulation program:

1. Press Win + I keys at the same time to open the Settings app.
2. Click on the Apps icon.
3. Go to the Apps & features section and locate the emulation software.
4. Select it, then click on the Uninstall button.
5. Once it’s uninstalled, follow the steps in fix 1 to get rid of leftover files. This will increase the chances of successfully resolving the error.
6. Restart your machine and then check for the issue.

Fix 4: Edit the Registry

If the error is still hindering you from updating Windows, the only way out is to tweak the registry. However, you must remember that the Windows registry is extremely sensitive. So, you must be extra careful when editing it because a simple mistake can cause great damage. To be on the safe side, we recommend creating a System Restore point and backing up the registry before using this method. You can also use a quality registry cleaner such as Auslogics BoostSpeed Registry Cleaner to eliminate problematic registry keys that may trigger annoying errors.

Here’s how to enable System Restore on your computer:

1. Press the Windows + S combination to open Search.
2. Type in “restore” (no quotes) and click on “Create a restore point”.
3. Immediately the System Properties window opens, select your primary drive under Protection Settings.
4. Then, click on the Configure button.
5. Choose “Turn on system protection”.
6. Finally, click on the Apply button and then select OK.

Now follow the steps below to create a restore point:

1. Go back to the System Properties window.
2. Head to the Protection Settings section and choose Create.
3. Name your restore point and then click on the Create button.
4. Choose Close and then select OK on the System Properties page.

If you need to use the restore point, follow these instructions:

1. Open Search (Win + S) and type in “restore” (no quotes).
2. Select “Create a restore point” and then choose System Restore on the new window.
3. Click on the Next button to see your restore points. Select the “Show more restore points” option if you can’t see the one you want.
4. Pick a restore point and then select “Scan for affected programs”.
5. Choose Close, then click on the Next button.
6. Select Finish.

These steps will guide you through backing up the registry:

1. Use the Win + R key combo to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type in “regedit” (without quotes) and click on the OK button.
3. Select Yes in the User Account Control (UAC) window.
4. When the Registry Editor opens, choose Computer at the top of the left pane. Then, right-click on it and select Export.
5. Name the file and select where to save it.
6. Click on the Save as type dropdown box and then choose “registration files (*.reg)”.
7. Go to the Export range section and choose All.
8. Click on the Save button.

To use the backup file, follow these steps:

1. Go back to the Registry Editor.
2. Click File at the top of the window and select Import.
3. Navigate to where you saved the file and select it.
4. Click on the Open button.

Use this procedure to remove VirtualBox from your machine via the registry:

1. Open Run (Win + R) and type in “regedit” (no quotes). Then, press Enter.
2. Next, click Yes in the UAC prompt box.
3. Immediately the Registry Editor opens, select Edit on the menu bar and then click on Find Next.
4. Type “VirtualBox” (without quotes) into the Find what box. Make sure the checkboxes for Keys, Values, and Data are selected. Then, click on the Find Next button.
5. Delete any found keys, folders, and values.
6. Reboot your device.

You could also use the same steps to get rid of other emulation software on your PC.

Wrapping Up

You now know how to uninstall VirtualBox for Windows Update to run smoothly, right? However, feel free to comment below if you have further questions.