Size of VM? Keeps growing? .vmdk file

[UT123]

Seems like my .vmdk file is growing rapidly, even though I'm not doing a ton or saving a lot. I understand it will grow as you save stuff, and populate it further.

Do they grow a lot naturally for other reasons, or is it just the space you take up with files and stuff?

[continuum · Accepted solution]

when ever you add or delete a file the virtual disk will grow.

When you defragment inside the guest the disk will grow.

if you empty the trashbin the disk will grow ...

There is no way around that - get used to it.

if you have installed the vmware-tools there is a function called "shrink" which can be used to reclaim the wasted space.

use it regularly

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description of vmx-parameters:

VMware-liveCD:

[IamTHEvilONE]

the vmware-vdiskmanager does have a shrink command and is particularly useful.

Also, if you took a snapshot, the VMDKs will seem larger than you may expect. since there will be a revert point as well as the current state.

Regards,

EvilOne

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[UT123]

Never knew the shrink tool was there in VMtools. Amazing, went from 50GB to 32GB. Thanks!