VMware Fusion® (for Mac) : Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions : Comments

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

ggold421 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:16:49 GMT

Excellent instructions. I used EASEUS Partition Manager and it was a piece of cake.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

DictateAustralia — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:02:56 GMT

Thank you, fantastic very clear instructions. I had easily managed to increase the disk size but it was not showing in Vista so these instructions fixed that within minutes.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

wethree — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:18:19 GMT

I get this far:

How to Resize A Virtual Disk With VMware Fusion 2 Disk Management Tools

1) Shut down your Windows (or other) virtual machine so that it is powered off. (Virtual Machine menu>Shut Down Guest)
2) Bring up the Settings dialog for your virtual machine and click Hard Disks
3) Select the slider or enter the new virtual disk size you prefer and click Apply.

And it's here I find that my Hard Disk (SCSI, 20Gb) settings are grayed out, and so, there is no slider to apply changes to.

What am I missing? Newest version of VM Fusion 2, 2.8G intel duo-core iMac, Vista Home Premium

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

etung — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:13:42 GMT

Is there any error message? For example, if you have a snapshot, you won't be able to adjust the disk size (and there should be a message to this effect).

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

vincentm2 — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:38:41 GMT

Virtual Machine/Snapshots has a box next to "Only show my snapshots".
If you untick the box, you might find a snapshot to delete.

Once you have deleted the snapshot, the options you want become available.

It worked for me. I hope it works for you.

VincentM2.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

montylee — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:15:07 GMT

OK this guy should be paid by VMWare because this was simple and worked. At least this should be in the knowledgebase for expansion. Outstanding reply! Thanks so much.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

CG1618 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:34:26 GMT

Where is this Virtual Machine/Snapshots box? I have a similar issue (want to change the size of hard disk but option is grayed out)

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

vincentm2 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:01:37 GMT

Click on Virtual Machine in the menu bar.
Then click on Snapshots.
Untick "Only show my snapshots" at the bottom of the popup box.
Delete any snapshots that appear.
Try to change the size of the hard disk.
With luck, it will work.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

CG1618 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:18:07 GMT

I tried looking for the option but it isn't there (under Virtual Machine there is a "Take Snapshot", "Revert to Snapshot", or "Discard Snapshot"). Does this mean that I cannot change the size of my hard disk?

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

vincentm2 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:33:53 GMT

Snapshots can prevent you from changing the size of your hard disk.
You need to discard snapshots before you try to reduce your hard disk.
You might not see the snapshots if the box next to "Only show my snapshots"
is ticked.
The box is located at the bottom of the popup box, below the items you listed.

If you untick the box and snapshots appear, you can then discard them and
change the size of your hard disk.

This problem (and solution) applies to version 2.0.1.
If you are not getting the right result, you might check the version you
are using before trying anything else.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

CG1618 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:27:32 GMT

I forgot about possible upgrades - I was only on version 1. After downloading the update I was able to follow the steps you mentioned. When I got to reducing the size of the hard disk, I couldn't do it (it wouldn't let me - I can only make the disk bigger). Any words of wisdom? Thanks in advance for your assistance - you've been very patient & helpful.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

vincentm2 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:56:55 GMT

If the snapshots have been deleted and you still cannot reduce the size of the hard disk, you might try shrinking the one you have.
Double click on the VMWare Tools in the tray.
Click on Shrink.
Click on Prepare to shrink and then shrink.

If that does not produce an acceptable size, you might have to revisit the whole topic of disk size from the start.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

portertm — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:49:29 GMT

Instructions for Vista worked perfectly! Thanks.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

dee24 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:44:32 GMT

I followed all the instructions for increasing the size of the virtual machine. I am on version 2.0.1 and have deleted all available snapshots leaving only the machine state in the snapshot window. However, the slider for changing the size of the hard disk is still grey and not available. The message in the window still indicates that a snapshot is still on the machine when none actually appears. What can be done to delete remnants of a snapshot that may not appear in order to access the hard drive to increase the size?

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

vincentm2 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:43:45 GMT

You might like to try the following:

1. Create a new snapshot
2. Delete the new snapshot
3. Try changing the size of the disk again.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

dmb1 — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:35:16 GMT

I was just infuriated with VMware for their LOUSY support after I increased the size of the hard disk and couldn't understand why XP didn't use the extra space. I even shelled out $25 for the right to have them read e-mail from me (just this once, mind you), only to learn that they might get around to responding within 4 days...FOUR DAYS!

So, you can imagine my delight in finding these instructions and discovering that they, and the EASEUS software, worked exactly as described.

If I could get back that $25, I'd send it to YOU.

Thanks!

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

dmb1 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:15:21 GMT

It looks like vicbarra's Version 8 of this document differs from Version 7 only in the addition of some white space.

Is that correct?

Thanks!

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

etung — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:20:17 GMT

That's what it looks like to me. Keep in mind that (currently for this document) anyone can edit it, so not all changes are guaranteed to be useful (or accurate). We may revisit the open-ness question if people abuse it.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

jcsf — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:59:50 GMT

How about using VMware Converter as an alternative? I expanded the sizes of my XP machine disks when I moved from VirtualBox to Fusion; I presume one can use Converter on a VMware virtual machine as well. Probably a little slower than the system outlined above, but then it doesn't require making a backup, as the original system stays intact. Also does away with any snapshots in the process. Any other pros/cons?

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

techblast — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:53:54 GMT

Seek and ye shall find! A HUGE Thank You Pat! Now the next BIG question. O.K. I am using a 500GB drive WD drive in my Mac Pro (has 4 WD 500GB Drives)and on Drive 4 is my WinXP virtual partition that take up only 200GB (yes I can go to ~450GB using your extraordinary procedure). However, I realize I need to really upsize my drive to 2TB to give me the space I really need going forward. I do a lot of photography for my Real Estate business and I just need to buy time with a bigger drive and not be worried about running out of space. With that said how do you transfer the entire VM Ware Fustion Win XP virtual partition from my 4th Drive to a larger 2TB internal drive so that when this procedure is complete the new 2TB HD with my transfered partition opens and functions just like my current drive / partition?

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

vincentm2 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:02:43 GMT

If your computer can see both drives, all you need is:
copy from one drive and paste to the other.

If you close the VM you wish to copy, locate the VM -
it is probably in your Library - then copy and paste.

When the paste is complete (which could be quite a while),
open you new VM and you will be asked if you copied or moved it.
If you say move, it will retain all its old settings. If you say copy,
some settings will change.

You should then have the desired result.

I have copied and pasted my VM with no problem but
I have never copied one as large as you described.
If the procedure fails, you might consider the size
as the reason.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

etung — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:26:03 GMT

In addition to what vincentm2 said, make sure that Fusion is not running when you do the copy.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

techblast — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:39:00 GMT

Well each journey starts with a single step. I'll give it a try. I have 16 Gigs of RAM onboard with 3 gig quad procesors I'll just remove one of the drives I use for storage. This sounds too easy (maybe that is why I had so much trouble finding online information!) I know from years of trial and error with windows, that migrating from one drive to the other was a "mind field" event even when you use MS software to copy.

Thanks so much! You are a real resource.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

alwysthnkn — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:07:08 GMT

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for pointing out this document. I am encouraged!

As a side note: I did figure out what was eating up my Virtual Drive... As a precaution, before first defragging my hard drive, I ran the Backup and Migration tool from CA. It was taking up 9 GB of my 20 GB HD!

I copied that folder to my iDisk and deleted it from my WIN XP documents and was then able to defrag. So, the good news is that I will be able to do this as an anticipated need vs. a crisis need.

"Full HD" might be a keyword to bring this up in Search, as I didn't have the right keywords to bring this doc up.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

genevish — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:18:40 GMT

You don't need to change the BIOS boot order to use Gparted (Part 2 of the instructions). Once you download the disk image, go to CD settings, select the GParted disk image in the Use Disk Image dialog. Then go to the advanced settings and set it to boot from the CD.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

juliaogris — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:10:04 GMT

GParted worked for me to resize the partition, but the "Capacity" of the drive on XP had stayed the same.
Had to click on check drive in GParted after resizing to ensure resizing of NTFS file system.

Also: adding the following line to *.vmx file enforces bios start (seems easier to me than installing extra software for this):
bios.forceSetupOnce = "TRUE"

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

Turgee — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:44:37 GMT

It may have already been mentioned, but I'm wondering if the re-size will trigger the Windows Product Activation, forcing me to call Mumbai.
(Imac 17" 3GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive/ Tiger 10.4.11 / Fusion 1.1.3- too scared to update, since I'm not too savvy with this stuff).

I am currently running a Virtual machine,( that is 20 GB of hard disk space, I use it mainly for MS office for College, but it's now only got 12.9 GB left after the Office install.

Should I add another Virtual Disk (Advantages vs. Disadvantages), or re-size the one I have? : I also have an external Hard Disk with 40 GB allocated to Windows.

I would greatly appreciate any advice that the enlightened masters might bestow upon me.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

StockTrader — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:44:22 GMT

Fantastic article. Only one suggestion for the GPARTED users:
The tool is nice but using the mouse can be a nightmare due to the X server settings.
So after you boot with GParted it will asks about the keyboard mapping and language then will ask about the video mode.
At this question select 1 "Run Forcevideo" and then 5 (1280x1024)
I found that in this resolution is much better and the mouse works fine.
StockTrader.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

manojranaweera — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:45:31 GMT

I run VMWare Fusion 1.1.1 on Macmini. Follow the thread about how to increase hard disk space, but settings are grayed out so cannot change. There are no snapshots as far as I could see. Many thanks in advance.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

vincentm2 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:25:37 GMT

You could try taking a snapshot and then deleting it to see if that helps.

1. Click on Virtual Machine, Snapshots, Take Snapshot.
2. Click on Virtual Machine, Snapshots, Action, Delete Snapshot.

When that is done, you could try again.

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

manojranaweera — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:30:48 GMT

vincentm2,

As suggested, created snapshot and discarded it. Shutdowned Windows 2000 Pro and the virtual machine. Hard disk is still grayed out!

RE: Resizing Virtual Disks With Step by Step Instructions

vincentm2 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:49:49 GMT

The problems might be due to the version of the software you are using.
You might update the software to version 2.0.6 and try all the steps again.