[Bug]: [Bug] Ubuntu Desktop applications fail to start on Intel Core Ultra 5 225H (Windows 11 25H2)

[wangWking]

Version

Other or before v7.1.0

Host OS Type

Linux

Host OS name + version

Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Host Architecture

x86

Guest OS Type

Windows

Guest Architecture

x86

Guest OS name + version

Windows 11 25H2 (Build 26200)

Component

GUI

What happened?

Description

Ubuntu Desktop guests boot normally in VirtualBox, and the GNOME desktop loads successfully.

However, all GNOME applications fail to start.

Affected applications include:

• Terminal
• Settings
• Files
• Calculator

When clicking an application icon, the application name briefly appears in the top panel with a spinning indicator, then disappears after a few seconds.

No application window is created and no error dialog is shown.

The issue happens consistently.

Environment

Host OS:

• Windows 11 25H2 (Build 26200)

Hardware:

• HP OmniBook 7
• Intel Core Ultra 5 225H
• Intel Arc Graphics
• 32GB RAM

VirtualBox:

• 7.0.22 r165102
• 7.2.12 (also tested)

Guest OS:

• Ubuntu 20.04.6 Desktop
• Ubuntu 22.04.5 Desktop

Both official Ubuntu ISO images were tested.

VM configuration

• EFI enabled
• 6 CPUs
• 8GB RAM
• Graphics Controller: VMSVGA
• Video Memory: 128MB
• 3D acceleration disabled

Troubleshooting already performed

Tested:

• Manual installation
• Unattended installation
• Wayland session
• Ubuntu on Xorg session
• VMSVGA / VBoxSVGA
• 16MB and 128MB video memory
• 3D acceleration enabled/disabled
• Hypervisor disabled
• Windows Memory Integrity disabled

The behavior did not change.

VBox.log is attached.

One suspicious message in VBox.log:

HM: HMR3Init: Attempting fall back to NEM: VT-x is not available

and multiple:

VBox.log

NEM: Warning! Unknown capability ...

messages appear.

The same Ubuntu images work correctly on another Windows 11 computer.

The issue only occurs on this Intel Core Ultra 5 225H laptop.

How can we reproduce this?

1. Install VirtualBox on Windows 11 25H2 system with Intel Core Ultra 5 225H CPU.

2. Create a new Ubuntu Desktop virtual machine:

   • Ubuntu 20.04.6 or Ubuntu 22.04.5 ISO
   • EFI enabled
   • 6 CPU cores
   • 8GB RAM
   • VMSVGA graphics controller
   • 128MB video memory
   • 3D acceleration disabled

3. Install Ubuntu normally.

4. Boot into GNOME desktop.

5. Click any GNOME application:

   • Terminal
   • Settings
   • Files
   • Calculator

Expected result:
The application window opens normally.

Actual result:
The application briefly shows a loading indicator in the top panel, then exits without opening a window or showing an error message.

VBoxHardening.log

Did you upload all of your necessary log files, screenshots, etc.?

• Yes, I've uploaded all pertinent files to this issue.