VirtualBox isn't working correctly on Windows 10 bash/linux subsytem

Question

I've using/on Windows10 v1903. WSL: GNU bash, version 4.4.20(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu). Ubuntu 18.04.3 Inside windows10, I ran bash (ran command prompt as an Admin, then > bash). Inside Bash, I'm logged in as a 'root' user.

And inside the bash, somehow I managed to corrupt my VBox installation. As far as I can remember, it went corrupt only after I installed the Vivid from Trusty. I did these things:

1. First of all I had installed VBox and Vagrant on/thru Windows GUI. At that time, both things showed working ok not only in Windows GUI, but in Bash terminal also (Virtual box is still working ok in Windows GUI).
2. Then, just out of curiosity, I ran 'choco install virtualbox' inside bash, which seemed to install both these again. At this step, I seem to remember that status/version of VB and Vagrant was showing ok. I even installed and check nginx there/that time.
3. Then I installed 'ubuntu/trusty64' image in the bash terminal.

4. And now I'm able to run Virtual Box under/in the Windows GUI, and in there vagrant machines is also running successfully. But in bash terminal, no virtual box command would work. Though if I installed or uninstalled and installed again, these processes would show completing without any errors. But when calling their status or version, they'd give below given errors.

5. Even if I ran `choco install virtualbox' command gives this error now: command not found. Though I don't think this would be needed to solve my problem, but I mentioned it lest it relates somehow.

Now, in the bash, if I run, VBoxManage -version command would give the following error:

WARNING: The character device /dev/vboxdrv does not exist.
         Please install the virtualbox-dkms package and the appropriate
         headers, most likely linux-headers-Microsoft.

         You will not be able to start VMs until this problem is fixed.
5.2.32_Ubuntur132056

I'd want to repeat, that apt install virtualbox installs without any errors.

I've tried many many different linux commands given on Stack Exchange's diff topics. But nothing is working. Purged, installed again.

On the guidance of one such answer, I ran this command vboxdrv.sh setup, and then I found that 'VBoxDrive.sh' file is not there/missing from root@e6420-ssd:/usr/lib/virtualbox# ls

I'm running the terminal as admin, and inside the bash, also running everything as root.

Final Note: after spending much time on google, I've started feeling that may be I'm fatally wrong here, and I got confused. And that its never possible to install VB inside Windows Bash terminal?!! But then, how come I'm still able to install it without any errors? And how can I run nginx outside WSL (Virtualbox won't run inside Bash and nginx won't run outside bash). I'm watching a course on Nginx and it demands all 3 (VB, Vagrant, Nginx) to be running on the machine for me to practice on.

Answer 1

based on my googling of vagrant and choco
and also the update of followed.
i assumed the best description of your situation would be

1. Windows 10 Host with WSL(Windows Subsystem for Linux)
2. VirtualBox and Vagrant installed via Windows GUI
3. Ubuntu app from Windows Store(status unknown , i am not familiar with that )
4. VirtualBox installed via WSL in the Ubuntu app
5. the PATH env variable of the WSL included Bash was crossed setup by two VirtualBox
6. the current status of two VirutalBox installation, unknown

it is always easier to install from nothing , versus fix messed up something .

so based on the assumed description above, and the statement about you were setting these 3 things for nginx course.
here are my suggestion:

1. uninstall your WSL , and the Ubuntu app, remove the remaining directory if necessary, the vagrant and choco should be gone with them.
2. IN GUI, delete the Ubuntu VM from VirtualBox. reinstall VirtualBox will not clean up the VM, you have to manually delete it.
3. uninstall VirtualBox and Vagrant via Windows 10 Add/Remove Program
4. reboot windows 10
5. install VirtualBox and Vagrant via Windows GUI.
6. do not install WSL and Ubuntu app.
7. go on to follow the box instructions for Vagrant CLI Windows, commands are for Windows cmd or powershell, not WSL.
8. Ubuntu guest box can be obtained from here, look for pre-configured nginx included boxes .

quotes from vagrant
Warning: Advanced Topic! Using Vagrant within the Windows Subsystem for Linux is an advanced topic that only experienced Vagrant users who are reasonably comfortable with Windows, WSL, and Linux should approach.

I am sorry if you are still interested in Vagrant within WSL and Windows Store Ubuntu app , i have no further information.