Scribd
Upload
6 views

Tips for editing a .vmx file

This article provides essential tips for editing a virtual machine's .vmx configuration file, including its typical locations on different operating systems and the importance of powering off the virtual machine before making changes. It emphasizes the need for user permissions, backing up the file, and the potential for changes to be version-specific. Additionally, it outlines procedures for editing the .vmx file in ESXi environments to prevent overwriting issues with vCenter Server.

Uploaded by

kushika
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views

Tips for editing a .vmx file

This article provides essential tips for editing a virtual machine's .vmx configuration file, including its typical locations on different operating systems and the importance of powering off the virtual machine before making changes. It emphasizes the need for user permissions, backing up the file, and the potential for changes to be version-specific. Additionally, it outlines procedures for editing the .vmx file in ESXi environments to prevent overwriting issues with vCenter Server.

Uploaded by

kushika
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Tips for editing a .vmx file https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article?

articleNumber=345489

 Search  Search

Tips for editing a .vmx file

 Article ID: 345489  Updated On: 03-28-2025

Products

VMware VMware Desktop Hypervisor VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides tips for editing a virtual machine's configuration file (.vmx).

Resolution

W o r k in g w it h t h e . vm x f ile

Some workaround procedures include steps that require editing .vmx files.

Note these important characteristics of the .vmx file:

The .vmx file is typically located in the directory where the virtual machine is created.

• In Windows XP and Server 2003, the default location for the file is:

C:\Documents and Settings\your_user_name\My Documents\Virtual


Machines\virtual_machine_name.vmx

1 de 3 21/04/2025, 21:31
Tips for editing a .vmx file https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article?articleNumber=345489

• In Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008, the default location for the file is:

C:\Users\your_user_name\My Documents\Virtual Machines\virtual_machine_name.vmx

• In Linux, run the vmware-cmd -l command to list the full path to all registered .vmx files.
• For ESXi, the vmInventory.xml (located in /etc/vmware/hostd) contains the .vmx file path
of every virtual machine registered to it.
• The virtual machine actively writes to its .vmx file. Never edit this file while its virtual
machine is running.
• Changes to the file are usually version specific. In case of an upgrade, the workaround
that was implemented may no longer work.

Be f o r e e d i t i n g t h e . v m x f i l e

• Always power off the virtual machine.


• Make sure the user is logged in with the correct permission level to edit the file.
• Make a backup copy of the .vmx file. If the edits break the virtual machine, rolling back to
the original version of the file is an option.
• For more information on using the vi editor to edit files, see Adding/Deleting/Editing a
host entry on vCenter server or ESXi host using vi editor (345284).

No te: VMware by Broadcom also recommends making a backup copy of the edited file. If
future administrative changes to the virtual machine overwrite the edited version, take
the time to cut and paste the specific section that is important from the backup copy into
the current file. Do not replace an entire .vmx file with an older backup.

E S Xi w it h vC en t er S er ver

Manual additions to the .vmx file from ESXi are not recognized in vCenter Server. This can cause
manual additions to the .vmx file to be overwritten. To resolve this issue, make the required
changes to the .vmx file and see Reloading a vmx file without removing the virtual machine
from inventory (343248).

Alternatively, to modify the virtual machines .vmx file:

1. Remove the virtual machine from vCenter Server inventory.

To remove the virtual machine from the vCenter Server inventory, right-click the virtual
machine and click R emo v e f r o m In v en to r y .

2. Edit the .vmx file.


3. Re-register the virtual machine from the ESXi command line.

vim-cmd solo/registervm /vmfs/volumes/datastore/virtual_machine_directory/


virtual_machine_name.vmx

For example:

2 de 3 21/04/2025, 21:31
Tips for editing a .vmx file https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article?articleNumber=345489

vim-cmd solo/registervm /vmfs/volumes/Storage1/vm1/vm1.vmx

Feedback

Was this article helpful?

 Yes
 No

Powered by

3 de 3 21/04/2025, 21:31

You might also like