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.vmx

VMware VM Configuration

Virtual Machines

VMX stores VMware VM configuration, including hardware and disk references. VMDK data, snapshots and encryption information are separate dependencies; VMX alone may not reconstruct the VM.

Main use
Store VM hardware settings and disk references
Data type
Text data
All sections, questions and sources

Content reviewed： · Editor：Kai

Opening steps

Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.

Compatible VMware product

Preserve the original and inspect a working copy in a compatible application.

  1. Preserve the entire shut-down VM file set.
  2. Select a VMX copy through the compatible product’s Open workflow.
  3. Check disks, hardware and network conditions before starting it.
Inspect the received file and its requirements

Establish dependencies and settings before proceeding.

  1. Identify product, virtual hardware version and target support.
  2. Inventory VMDK/deltas and required state/encryption information.
  3. Distinguish moving from copying and inspect simultaneous-use conditions.

Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.

Troubleshooting by symptom

  • VMDK missing: compare VMX references with the delivered set.
  • Another product rejects it: inspect product/hardware-version support.
  • Wrong state: inspect the snapshot chain and attached disk.
  • Edits not applied: inspect shutdown and configuration reload conditions.

VMX → supported clone / OVF or OVA

  1. Use supported cloning or transfer export, including the necessary disks.
  2. Verify configuration, attached disks, boot and required document state at the target.

Renaming does not migrate to another hypervisor; encryption, TPM and snapshots impose additional conditions.

Do not begin with arbitrary text edits

VMX is readable text, but settings and disk state must remain consistent. Preserve a shut-down backup and prefer product settings or a specific official procedure.

Source for these steps：Broadcom · Locating a hosted virtual machine’s files / Broadcom · Editing the .vmx file

Worked example: checks before handoff

Example: after a move, first check referenced VMDK names/locations rather than guessing by replacing a delta reference with a parent.

Source for these steps：Broadcom · Locating a hosted virtual machine’s files / Broadcom · Editing the .vmx file

Related-format differences

Related-format differences
Format / methodPurpose and preserved information
.vmxStore VM hardware settings and disk references
VMDK / OVFVMDK is disk data; OVF is an exchange descriptor used with accompanying disks.
VMX → supported clone / OVF or OVARenaming does not migrate to another hypervisor; encryption, TPM and snapshots impose additional conditions.

Handling and security

Before starting a received VM, review networking, shared folders and host integration.

Questions and answers

Can VMX alone recover guest documents?

Documents normally reside on disks; the correct disk set is required.

Are VMDK and VMX equivalent?

VMDK is disk data; VMX is VM configuration.

Are moving and copying equivalent?

Identity handling can differ; follow the product workflow matching the real operation.

Format facts: name, steward and MIME type
Formal name
VMware VM Configuration
Steward / specification
Broadcom
MIME type
Consult the producer or delivery system. The extension alone does not establish a MIME type.

Primary and official sources