VMware Fusion: Virtual Machine Location?

By default virtual machines are stored in the user's home directory. Of course you can copy/move them somewhere else. As I don't wanna be reinstalling the machine over and over again, I installed the VM once and copied it to an external disc. Every once in a while I start the machines there to perform the Windows Update game, but for the rest they're just parked there.

In other words, you can put the machine anywhere you like as long as users have read/write access to them. I wouldn't put them in /Applications though as I don't see it as a part of the application. Is a document you write part of the word processor?

Also, VM discs are normally created as resizeable, so creating a machine with a 100 GB hard disc doesn't mean you need 100 GB to use them. When you install stuff on them the disc will grow and grow, and eventually need the 100 GB but that would take time.

You can create a virtual machine from the BootCamp partition as well, though I have no experience with it. Simple logic would say though that all user's should be able to access it. Simply create a VM that is linked to the BootCamp one, right?

I have just confronted the same problem. Fusion worked fine from the bootcamp partition on my user account; but it did not even recognize the bootcamp partition under my wife's account.

I wrote to fusion support and they gave me an elaborate way to "attempt" to fix the problem using the terminal. As a newbie I am unconfortable using terminal and the email did not inspire confidence that it would work.

I previously read that the vms could be copied. So i tried that last night. So far it has worked fine.

The folder to copy is located in the library folder (i think--am not at my mac now) and is called Fusion or something like that. I copied the whole folder and placed in the same location under my wife's account. I also changed the permissions on the folder to allow her to read/write (I am not sure if that was necessary--but I did it). If you have trouble finding the folder to copy post again and I will check tonight.

I created a shared folder and authorize all the 3 users on the Mac for Read/Write access.

Put the VMWare machine in there.

Make sure you check the authorization of the VMWare machine.

Everyone can use the same VMWare machine.

Bunker -- I have done the same thing with iTunes and iPhoto.

How do you point Fusion to the single virutal machine?

Thanks

RobColorado said:

Bunker -- I have done the same thing with iTunes and iPhoto.

How do you point Fusion to the single virutal machine?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Firstly, create the shared folder and set authorization that everyone can read and write.

Log in using user A:
- Creating your Virtual Machine, save it to this folder.
- Update authorization for all the files in this folder to allow everyone to read and write.

Log in using User B:
- Run VMWare Fusion.
- On menu, File --> Open and select the VM machine in the shared folder


note:
A and B cannot run the same virtual machine simultaneously.

/users/shared

Conventional practice says it goes here.