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thecoffeeshop
Contributor
Contributor

Proper way to move a VM to another location on same host

As the subject states.

I am plugging in a new SSD drive into my computer. I want to move one of my current VM's to that new SSD drive.

I've done some research on this and found a few documents, but thought I would ask here as I wanted to get other peoples feedback if they have done this before.

It is critical I dont mess it up. The VM i am moving I have spent hours building and working on, so I need to make sure I do not break it when I move it.

I appreciate it.

Cheers,

TCS

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rakotomandimby
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

I think you can just test by copying this VM first.

Just copying might be successful.

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thecoffeeshop
Contributor
Contributor

Oddly enough, my option to 'copy' from within VMWare Station is greyed out. Not sure why.

What I have read is that I should commit any snapshots and find the working directory as well as the VMDK file. That is easy enough to do. I guess where I am slightly confused is, do I just move the VMDK file, or do I need to move everything in the working directory.

Thanks.

TCS

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mfelker
Expert
Expert

There already is  an answered thread on tthis subject but basically

1)  Copy the   entire VM  source  folder (not just  the hard disk (vmdk(s) to the new location (target)

2)  Remove the  old VM entry from the library (do not delete yet)

3)  Open the VM (.vmx file) in the new location.

4)   Everything will  work!

YOu may or may not want to delete the VM source VM folder.

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