VM manager ========== Opening 86Box will start the **virtual machine manager**, which allows for creating, managing, starting and controlling multiple emulated machine configurations. .. note:: * This manager is currently a preview, with a limited feature set expanding upon the previous standalone `86Box Manager `_ app. Other managers with more features can still be used. * Running 86Box directly no longer creates or starts an emulated machine in the current folder like on previous versions. The ``-P``/``--vmpath`` command line option can be used to start a machine directly instead. * The manager can be fully disabled (restoring the behavior of previous 86Box versions when launched without specifying a virtual machine path on the command line) by adding ``vmm_disabled = 1`` to the global configuration file, which is stored at one of the following locations based on the platform: * **Windows**: ``C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\86Box\86box_global.cfg`` * **Linux**: ``~/.config/86Box/86box_global.cfg`` * **macOS**: ``~/Library/Preferences/86Box/86box_global.cfg`` Machine list ------------ The **left-hand side** of the manager window displays a list of all machines found in the :ref:`system directory `, along with their current state and icon. Click on a machine to select it. The following options are available by **right-clicking** a machine: * **Start:** start the machine. * **Hard reset:** force a reset of the machine. * **Force shutdown:** force a shutdown of the machine. If this fails due to a frozen 86Box process, try *Kill*. * **Ctrl+Alt+Del:** send a *Ctrl+Alt+Del* key combination to the machine. * **Settings:** open the :doc:`Settings <../settings/index>` window to configure the machine. * **Change display name:** change the name by which the machine is identified on the manager and 86Box window. Changing this will not rename the machine's folder. * **Set icon:** change the icon displayed next to the machine on the list. * Select an icon from the preset list, or click **Reset** to restore the default icon. * **Clone:** make a copy of the machine. * **Kill:** forcibly terminate the machine's 86Box process if one is running. * **Wipe NVRAM:** clear the machine's CMOS non-volatile memory. On models with Flash ROM, the original BIOS is also reflashed. * **Delete:** delete the machine, along with **everything** stored within its directory. * **Open folder:** open the directory where the machine's configuration file is stored. * **Open printer tray**: open the directory where documents printed by the machine's :ref:`emulated printers ` are saved. * **Open screenshots folder**: open the directory where screenshots of the machine are saved. * **Show config file:** display the contents of the machine's ``86box.cfg`` file for sharing, support requests and bug reports. Search ^^^^^^ The **search box** at the bottom of the machine list allows for filtering the list by any of the following criteria: * **Display name** and **folder name**. * Names of **hardware components** present in the machines, as displayed in the :ref:`details pane `. * **Image file names** for any media inserted into the machines, including hard disks, floppies and CDs. Advanced users can :ref:`enable regular expressions ` to perform more complex searches. Machine details --------------- The **right-hand side** of the manager window displays information and controls for the selected machine: * A **summary** of the machine's :doc:`configuration <../settings/index>`. * A gallery of **screenshots** saved through :ref:`Take screenshot ` or the respective keyboard shortcut. * A small text area for writing any **notes** about the machine. * Controls for the machine: **Settings**, **Hard reset**, **Force shutdown**, **Start**/**Pause**, **Ctrl+Alt+Del**. * The machine's current **status**, with the 86Box process ID if one is running. Menu bar -------- The **menu bar** located at the top of the manager window provides controls for the manager as a whole. File ^^^^ * **New machine:** create a new machine from scratch or from an existing configuration file. * **Exit:** quit the manager. Requires confirmation if any machines are currently running. Tools ^^^^^ .. _preferences: * **Preferences:** open the *Preferences* window, which provides the following options: * **System Directory:** view or change the folder where emulated machines are stored. * **Language:** select a language for the 86Box user interface. * **Remember size & position:** automatically save the manager window's size and position and the machine list's width. * **Check for updates on startup:** automatically check for 86Box updates when starting the manager. * **Use regular expressions in search box:** enable the use of Perl-syntax regexes to perform more complex searches with the search box. * **Color scheme:** select a visual style for the 86Box user interface. *System* uses the operating system's global preference if possible. .. note:: * The manager **must be restarted** for any changes to the system directory to take effect. * The system directory is **scanned recursively** for machines through their ``86box.cfg`` files. * **Check for updates:** check for and download any available 86Box version update. Help ^^^^ * **Documentation:** open the very documentation you're reading. * **About 86Box:** show credits, license and build information about 86Box. Status bar ---------- The **status bar** located at the bottom of the manager window displays a **count** of running, paused and total available machines. Additionally, any information about **available updates** will be displayed in the status bar if :ref:`checking for updates on startup ` is enabled.