The Windows Club

TheWindowsClub covers authentic Windows 11, Windows 10 tips, tutorials, how-to's, features, freeware. Created by Anand Khanse, MVP.

Error 0x000000C4, Unable to install Windows using Virtualization

Download Windows Speedup Tool to fix errors and make PC run faster

This tutorial will show you the way to fix 0x000000C4 VirtualBox Error faced while installing Windows 11/10/Server using virtualization.

We all know that when a new version is out for any operating system, most of the advanced users try it using virtualization. We created a bootable USB of the ISO image of Windows and tried to mount it on a computer, but then we encountered an unexpected error. Here is the screenshot of that error:

0x000000C4

As you can see in the image above, the error message is as follows:

Your PC needs to restart, Please hold the power button, Error code 0x000000C4

To fix it, initially, we tried to remove the SSD and reconnect it to the system, but unfortunately, there were no differences in the situation. Then we came across the discussion carried out on this error, which is also faced while installing Windows Server at VirtualBox forums. We tried out their suggestions, and they fixed the problem significantly. Here is how to fix this issue:

Fix 0x000000C4 VirtualBox Error

1. Open the administrative Command Prompt and paste the following command followed by Enter:

"c:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\VBoxManage.exe"  list vms

It will list all the Virtual Machines you’ve created using VirtualBox. For example, Windows 11 is listed if you have a machine using Windows 11 and having the same name, then the name is the same one that you use while creating a virtual partition for installing a new OS. Similarly, note down the name of the Windows virtual machine.

2. Now insert the following command:

"c:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\VBoxManage.exe" setextradata "<Virtual Machine Name Here>" VBoxInternal/CPUM/CMPXCHG16B 1

Fix-Error-0x000000c4-3

3. Hit Enter after pasting the command. That’s it!

Close the Command Prompt now and get into the installation. You won’t counter any issues now:

Fix-Error-0x000000c4-4

In this way, you can get rid of error 0x000000C4.

I hope this helps!

Check this post if you receive Your Windows install couldn’t be completed error message.

KapilArya@TWC

An Electrical Engineer by profession, Kapil is a Microsoft MVP and a Windows Insider MVP. Please read the entire post & the comments first & create a system restore point before making any changes to your system.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  9. Vaja Gelashvili says

    I have download the latest version for the moment VirtualBox-4.3.2-90405 and the problem has been solved :)

  10. Tomáš Sušánka says

    Works fine, thx. In case you’re on linux the command is pretty much the same.

    vboxmanage list vms (to print out all the machines you have on your system to get the right name)
    vboxmanage setextradata “VIRTUAL MACHINE NAME HERE” VBoxInternal/CPUM/CMPXCHG16B 1

    (to do the trick)

    tha again

  14. joeb says

    I got the error after installing 8.1 preview on Virtualbox 4.2.16 r86992 with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. Your solution fixed the problem.

  15. Disgruntled says

    Did not fix it! Tried it 10 different ways. I think the latest version of VirtualBox does not allow this. Trying to install Windows 8.1-64 bit VM on Windows 7 laptop with VirtualBox 4.3.8. The only thing different after running the commands was that less of the error message showed

  17. Mark says

    I tried it on Ubuntu 12.04 to run Windows 8.1 Pro without success. This is my CPU: http://ark.intel.com/nl/products/29739/Intel-Pentium-Processor-E2160-1M-Cache-1_80-GHz-800-MHz-FSB I think it will not support CMPXCHG16B 1

    Does this command only effects the files that are associated with the virtual machine name? I mean, if i delete all files of the virtual machine name and remake it, does it still have the updated setting CMPXCHG16B 1 when I make the virtual machine again with the same name?

  19. GioF says

    good morning I have this problem

    C:Users>C:ProgrammiOracleVirtualBoxVBoxManage.exe

    setextradata

    Usage:

    VBoxManage

    setextradata global||

    [] (no value deletes key)

    C:Users>C:ProgrammiOracleVirtualBoxVBoxManage.exe

    setextradata SET

    < non atteso.

    (<non atteso in english <not
    expected)

    I don't now were is the mistake.

    Can you help me?

  21. GioF says

    This is the correct string I used (win 7 ultimate 64 bit)
    C:Users>”C:ProgrammiOracleVirtualBoxVBoxManage.exe”
    “setextradata” “global” VBoxInternal/CPUM/CMPXCHG16B 1

    I gon’t now if it’s correct but the installation of win 8 started

  25. Shammi Alwis says

    how to avoid this error when performing a clean installation using a windows 8.1 bootable disk?

  27. WhoCares says

    Who installs windows in a VM on a windows host ? Thats stupid. Btw have the same error using VM on Debian. Thanks for that tip, it works on linux too ;)

  29. Scott says

    That is not stupid at all. Many people install Windows in a VM on a Windows host for testing. Test your program, code or whatever then you can easily refresh the snapshot. Easier to have VM’s to test than have a physical box for each.

  34. Telrad says

    if we are getting the same issue in the physical machine dell power edge 2800 on raid when installing 2012 r2 server

  36. HanoYs says

    i’ve earlier +1’ed this up, but reading more comments reached a more correct syntax, check it out below, you will find my comment there, thanking the commenter

  38. nura says

    filename, directoru….. is incorrect
    wtf man i wrote it 100 times even copied it but still the same sh*t
    filename….. :/

  39. tippy1000 says

    Make sure that you point the server name to the correct location in Windows 7. I had an issue getting this to work until I installed a new machine in the program files oraclevirtual box location. It would not locate mine. Also, I could not paste the commands. I would get incorrect syntax error. I changed directory to the VirtualBox directory then ran “VBoxManage” followed by commands. I hope this helps

  41. J Patel says

    I was using MDT 2013 to Capture the image after Sysprrep PC rebooted and got this error

    Excellent!!! This worked fine for me. I can now continue with Image Capture

  43. Avery says

    Hey I am new to this and trying to get windows on my mac OS X 10.8 and im not sure how to open administrative command prompt could anyone help me out

  47. braininpain says

    Awesome solution for Mac OSX Virtual Box users! Thank you a zillion times! : ]]

  49. Ambar Hasbiyatmoko says

    Hello, It works for me .. i’m using oracle virtualbox 4.2.4.

    **anyone : after try this tutorial, restart your virtualbox,

  51. Stalin DCruz says

    C:>”Program FilesOracleVirtualBoxVBoxManage.exe” list vms
    “2008” {caf411da-4536-4c1b-b207-16b256a2798e}

    C:>”Program FilesOracleVirtualBoxVBoxManage.exe” setextradata “2008” VBoxint
    ernal/CPUM/CMPXCHG16B 1

    C:>

    I still get the same error.what else I can try.

    Virtulization is enabled in BIOS

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *