Can't see Shared Folders (\\VMware-host) (Z:) on my virtual machine

[Ganache]

Hi Everyone,
I have a Macbook Pro - MacOS Big Sur v11.4, running VMware Fusion 12.1.2 for Windows 7 Home Premium x64bit
Have been running successfully until early January.
Somehow (no idea how) I must have deleted the virtual machine, as the file to start windows couldn't be found.
After a few hours I've created a new virtual machine in VMware Fusion and it works EXCEPT I cannot see my Mac desktop (need to access the folders/files there).
Previously, in Windows I could see;
Computer > Shared Folders (\\VMware-host) (Z > 7 folders on my Mac that I need to access.
Perhaps I didn't do something right when creating the new virtual machine?
I've tried to look but can't find where or what I need to do so I can see these folders. Service Pack 1 is installed.
Can't seem to get any help from VMware without a support contract.
I'm sure it's something simple.
Would appreciate any help to resolve this.

 

[bobcomer]

Did you install VMWare tools in the VM and configured it in the VM Settings, Options tab?

 

[Ganache]

Hi Bobcomer,
Thanks for responding.
I'm not sure. How can I find them in VMware 12.1.2?
Note that VMware and Windows were working and I could also see my Mac desktop before this happened.
I haven't had to reload VMware this time, only Windows, so I can't remember if VWware tools were loaded initially.
Looking under VMware Settings, there is nothing that says 'Tools'.
BTW I've just loaded VMware update 12.2.1

 

[bobcomer]

Sorry, I run too many similar thigs.

The sharing settings are on the VMWare menu, "Virtual Machine" menu, "sharing" at the very bottom. VMWare should complain if you don't have the VM tools installed.

 

[Ganache]

Sorry, I run too many similar thigs.

The sharing settings are on the VMWare menu, "Virtual Machine" menu, "sharing" at the very bottom. VMWare should complain if you don't have the VM tools installed.

No probs at all. I find my way around things and try and problem solve but it's hard when I have limited computer configuration knowledge.
Here is a screenshot...so reading the message at the bottom of the screen it looks like I don't have them. Not sure why it worked before I messed it all up (somehow)? I'll do a search and load them.

 

[Ganache]

Hi again Bob,
I've found VMware tools here https://customerconnect.vmware.com/...adGroup=VMTOOLS1135&productId=1073&rPId=74478
and there is a huge list! I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium x64bit, so do I download 'VMware Tools for Windows, 64-bit in-guest installer'? or should I download 'VMware Tools packages for Windows' (VMware Tools packages for Windows. These packages support the following operating systems: Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and later)?

 

[bobcomer]

Hi!

I don't think you'll need to download them yourself, VMWare always did it for me. On that same "Virtual Machine" menu, there's either an "Install VMWare Tools", or a "Reinstall VMWare Tools" Try clicking on that.

You also may need to turn on file sharing in Windows 7.

This looks like a decent description:

How to Enable File Sharing: Windows 10/11 & Mac

A step-by-step guide with screenshots and tipsIf you're the administrator of a local network, enabling file sharing will ensure that your users always have access to important files. You'll always able to control which folders are shared...

www.wikihow.com