VirtualBox is a powerful open-source virtualization software developed by Oracle Corporation. It allows users to run multiple operating systems (OS) on a single physical machine, simultaneously. This is done by creating virtual environments known as virtual machines (VMs).

Shared folders refer to a feature that allows file sharing between the host operating system (the main system running the virtualization software) and the guest operating system (the system running inside the virtual machine).

Solution #1

Install Guest Additions

Ensure that VirtualBox Guest Additions are installed on your Ubuntu guest.
To install Guest Additions, follow these steps:

1. In the VirtualBox menu, go to Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image…
2. Open a terminal and navigate to the Guest Additions CD directory:

cd /media/<your_username>/VBox_GAs_<version>

e.g. cd /media/developer/VBox_GAs_7.0.12

Run the installer

sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run

Reboot your virtual machine after installing Guest Additions.

Solution #2

Alternative Mount Point

Instead of relying on the default mount point under /media, you can create a custom mount point. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

sudo mkdir /mnt/<folder_name>
sudo mount -t vboxsf shared /mnt/<folder_name>

Replace <folder_name> with your shared folder name.

Example

sudo mkdir /mnt/shared
sudo mount -t vboxsf shared /mnt/shared

Replace <folder_name> with your shared folder name.
Then, try accessing the shared folder using the /mnt/shared directory.