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How to access shared folders in VMware? Try this method

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Virtual machinesare great tools to share folders between differentoperating systemssuch asWindowsandLinux.

However,Windowsshortcuts andLinuxsymbolic links might not work correctly if you access them via the shared folder.

Also, you can share folders betweenvirtual machinesand the host computer.

It is worth mentioning that you need to install the latest version ofWMware Toolson the hostoperating systemto make sure everything will run smoothly.

Moreover, you should not open the same file in multiple applications from differentoperating systems. Opening a file in this manner might cause corruption.

To avoid this problem and other issues, today we will show you how to access shared folders in VMware.

How to enable a shared folder invirtual machines

How to enable a shared folder invirtual machines

In a guest Windows OS, you can view shared files with Windows Explorer. OpenMy Network PlacesunderVMware Shared Foldersto access them.

Alternatively, you can openWindows Explorerand look inMy Network Places. Also, it is worth mentioning thatMy Network Placesis calledNetwork Neighborhoodin Windows NT.

To make things easier, here is the detailed path to access shared files:My Network Places > VMware Shared Folders > .host > Shared Folders > shared files.

In a Linux virtual machine, you can find the shared folders in/mnt/hgfs/shared files.

Moreover, you can add a new shared folder to your list. It’s easier to do this operation in a Windows host. Simply follow the instructions from the wizard.

To change the settings for a shared folder already on the list, highlight the folder by clicking its name, and then selectProperties.

Change the settings you want and then clickOK.

Do you need to change the network adapter type of VMware? Here an easy guide for this!

Conclusion

Viewing shared folders on VMware is a useful feature to transfer certain files to a virtual machine. As you can see, you can do that even for the Linux operating system.

Keep in mind to update VMware and don’t open the same file multiple operating systems. Also, the shared folders feature will not work for Windows shortcuts and Linux symbolic links.

Did our article help you access shared folders in VMware? Let us know in the comments section below!

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More about the topics:folder,vmware

Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.

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Milan Stanojevic

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.