Editing the .vmx file for VMware Fusion virtual machines

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

• This article provides steps for editing the .vmx configuration file of your VMware Fusion virtual machine.
• You may need to edit this file to complete specific troubleshooting steps provided in Knowledge Base articles or at the request of Broadcom Support staff.
• The .vmx file contains settings for your virtual machine’s behavior. Some of these settings are accessible through the Virtual Machine > Settings menu, while others require manual editing of the configuration file.

Environment

VMware Fusion (all supported versions)

Resolution

• Caution:
  • Backup: Before altering any virtual machine files, copy the virtual machine's bundle to a safe location (e.g., an external hard drive) to back up your data. For more information, see Best Practices for virtual machine backup in VMware Fusion.
  • File Backup: Before editing the .vmx file itself, create a separate backup copy of the file.
• To edit a .vmx file:
  • Shutdown the virtual machine: Ensure the virtual machine is fully shut down and not suspended.
  • Open the Virtual Machine Library: In VMware Fusion, navigate to the Apple menu bar and select Window > Virtual Machine Library.
    Note: If the virtual machine is encrypted, click Settings and enter the password when prompted.
  • Open the Config File: Hold the Option (Alt) key and right-click the virtual machine.
  • Select Open Config File in Editor.
  • Edit the file: Add or edit the necessary lines as required.
    Note: When editing in TextEdit, ensure the Smart Quotes option is disabled (TextEdit > Preferences > New Document). If enabled, smart quotes will cause the virtual machine to fail to boot.
  • Save the file: Save the changes and close the editor.
  • Applying Changes: The changes made to the .vmx file take effect the next time you open VMware Fusion. If Fusion is currently open, quit the application first. Alternatively, you can double-click the .vmx file to apply the changes and launch the virtual machine immediately.

Additional Information

 If you encounter unexpected behavior after editing the .vmx file, revert to your backup copy.

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