Settings changes are not saved in VMware Workstation

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor
• VMware Workstation 10.x (for Linux)
• VMware Workstation 6 (for Windows systems)
• VMware Workstation 7 (for Linux)
• VMware Workstation 8.x (for Linux)

Issue/Introduction

• Certain settings changes are not retained after you close the dialog
• When you deselect Take and restore snapshots in the background and save the changes, and return to the dialog, the setting is reselected
• Changes to the amount of memory assigned to a virtual machine are not saved

Environment

• VMware Workstation 8.x (Windows)
• VMware Workstation 6.x (Windows)
• VMware Workstation 11.x (for Windows)
• VMware Workstation Pro 15.x (Windows)
• VMware Workstation 9.x (Windows)
• VMware Workstation 7.x (Windows)
• VMware Workstation 10.x (Windows)
• VMware Workstation Pro 14.x (for Windows)

Cause

This issue occurs when Workstation cannot correctly access the preferences file or .VMX file to save the changes made from the Workstation user interface.

Resolution

1. Run VMware Workstation as an administrator.
2. If you are using Windows Vista, try disabling User Account Control (UAC).

Additional Information

• For instructions on disabling UAC on Windows 7 or 8, see Microsoft article Guided Help: Adjust User Account Control settings in Windows 7 and Windows 8Guided Help: Adjust User Account Control settings in Windows 7 and Windows 8.
• For information on UAC and Windows Vista, see Microsoft article What does it mean if Windows isn't supported?.