VMware is a great tool in terms of virtual installation and configuration of operating systems, multiple examples can be given to support this tool. VMware Guarantee the highest availability of IT services with VMware desktop & server virtualization. Reduce costs, run enterprise applications with the highest possibilities. VMware lets you run another computer in your computer. Try out another operating system, test a different platform, preview a new distro. I think that’s enough to support the VMware platform the real thing is title of this post “How to Increase Hard disk space in VMware”. Unlike other virtual tools VMware don’t let the users to automatically grow their disk space (Disk management selection at virtual machine setup ask you how much space you will allocate this virtual machine) if required by the operating system or large amount of data stored on that virtual machine. There is a simple tool given in the VMware 5.0 and above versions to increase the disk space (There are lots of other options I will share them some other time). Under given is are few simple steps to increase the disk space;
1. Open a command prompt in windows
2. Open the VMware installation folder from root drive
C:Program FilesVMwareVMware Workstation
Search the vmware-vdiskmanager.exe tool
3. Enter the command given as under;
vmware-vdiskmanager.exe –x 15Gb “Path to virtual machine“
Command Example command is given as under;
C:Program FilesVMwareVMware Workstation>vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -x 15Gb "E:itoperationzitoperationz.vmdk"
Copy the entire command and replace the paths
Let me share a picture for the above command;
The allocation process completed and here comes the real thing where you will see new allocated space in your “My Computer”.
1. Right click on my Computer
2. Go to Manage
3. Go to Disk Management
There you will see your free unallocated space. You need to create another partition to use that space in your virtual machine.
4. if you like to join that free space in windows drive or already created drive use any software given for your appropriate operating system like GParted, easeus partition resizer.
Note: Its better to take the backup or make a copy of the virtual machine before performing this task. Better safe than sorry.
