Can VMware Workstation on Windows or Linux Open .vmwarevm Files from VMware Fusion on Mac?

Yes, VMware Workstation can open .vmwarevm files created by VMware Fusion on macOS. However, you need to do a bit of manual work to do so. These .vmwarevm files are essentially folders containing virtual machine files such as virtual disk and configuration files.

Step-by-Step Guide to Open .vmwarevm Files in VMware Workstation

Locate the .vmwarevm File: Locate the .vmwarevm file in Finder on your Mac. Extract the Files: Right-click on the .vmwarevm file and select Show Package Contents. This will reveal the file structure, which includes the .vmx file (configuration file) and one or more .vmdk files (virtual disk files). Copy the Files: Copy the .vmx and .vmdk files to a location accessible by your Windows or Linux system. Open in VMware Workstation: Launch VMware Workstation on your Windows or Linux machine. Use the .vmx file you copied. Open the file, and VMware Workstation should recognize the virtual machine configuration. Adjust Settings (if necessary): Depending on the settings and hardware compatibility, you may need to adjust the virtual machine settings in VMware Workstation after opening it.

It's important to remember that while the basic functionality should transfer without major issues, some features specific to VMware Fusion may not be available in VMware Workstation and vice versa. Always ensure you have backups of your virtual machines before making such transfers.

Additional Information

VMware Workstation on Windows or Linux and VMware Fusion on macOS both support .vmwarevm files, though they handle them differently. For instance, on macOS, .vmwarevm files are essentially folders with a “.vmwarevm” extension, whereas in Windows and Linux, they are simply files with the same extension.

To see the folder contents on your Mac, right-click on the .vmwarevm file and select Show Package Contents. You can then copy these files to a Windows or Linux machine and browse the folder contents as you would any other folder. Once you have the .vmx file, you can open it using VMware Workstation on your Windows or Linux machine.

Additionally, Fusion on Mac can open VMs created by Workstation. Simply open the .vmx file. If you want the VM to appear more “Fusion-like,” you can append “.vmwarevm” to the VM’s folder name. This process is straightforward and hassle-free.