How to Fix: Error trying to run VirtualBox - OSX guest on Windows 7 64bit host

The error 'Failed to open a session for the virtual machine OSX' with the code 'Unknown error creating VM (VERR_VMX_MSR_LOCKED_OR_DISABLED)' occurs when attempting to run an OSX guest on a Windows 7 64-bit host in VirtualBox. This issue is frustrating because it prevents users fromrunning macOS on their Windows machines, which can be useful for development, testing, and other purposes.

This error message suggests that the problem may be related to the host machine's virtualization capabilities, but since Ubuntu runs smoothly on the same machine, this is unlikely to be the cause. Instead, the issue might be specific to OSX or VirtualBox configuration.

⚠️ Common Causes

• The primary reason for this error is that Windows 7 64-bit does not support Intel VT-x or AMD-V virtualization technology, which are required for running OSX in VirtualBox. Even though Ubuntu runs fine on the same machine, it uses a different set of virtualization drivers and may not be compatible with VirtualBox's OSX template.
• Another possible cause is that the VirtualBox installation on Windows 7 is not properly configured or outdated. In some cases, VirtualBox might not support newer operating systems like OSX if the host machine's hardware does not meet the minimum requirements.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the 'Failed to open a session for the virtual machine OSX' error, try enabling Intel VT-x or AMD-V in the BIOS settings and installing the VirtualBox Extension Pack. If this doesn't work, consider using a different virtualization driver like the Intel PRO/SET Virtualization Driver. By following these steps, you should be able to run OSX successfully on your Windows 7 64-bit host in VirtualBox.