How to Share Files Between macOS and Windows on VMware Fusion

Edited 2 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

VMware FusionMacWindowsFile SharingVirtual MachinesNetworkConfigurationSoftwareAppleComputersFile ManagementCross-PlatformSetupmacOSDesktop Virtualization

When working with virtual machines, there is often a need to share files between the host operating system and the guest operating system. For users of VMware Fusion on macOS, sharing files with a Windows virtual machine can be important for tasks such as data analysis, software testing, and cross-platform development. Below, we will discuss in detail how to facilitate file sharing between macOS and a Windows environment running in VMware Fusion.

Understanding the basics of VMware Fusion and file sharing

VMware Fusion is a software hypervisor that enables users to run Windows operating systems on a Mac without rebooting. One of its key features is the ability to share files between the macOS host and the Windows virtual machine. This is done through a process called "shared folders", which allows the virtual machine to access specified folders on the Mac.

Setting up VMware Tools

The first step in sharing files is to ensure that VMware Tools is installed and up-to-date on your Windows virtual machine. VMware Tools is a suite of utilities that enhance the performance and management capabilities of virtual machines.

1. Start your Windows virtual machine in VMware Fusion.
2. Once Windows boots up, go to the top menu bar where the VMware Fusion options are available.
3. Click on Virtual Machine.
4. Select Install VMware Tools if the option is available. If it says "Reinstall" or "Update" VMware Tools, it means an installation already exists, which you can update for better functionality.
5. A window will appear in your Windows environment prompting you to run setup.exe. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Once you have installed or updated VMware Tools, you may need to restart your Windows virtual machine to apply the changes.

Configuring shared folders in VMware Fusion

Shared folders can be configured through VMware Fusion's settings, allowing you to specify which directories on the macOS host are accessible from the Windows virtual machine.

1. Go to the VMware Fusion Library and select Virtual Machines.
2. Click Settings (depending on your version this may also be called Virtual Machine → Settings).
3. In the Settings window, find Sharing and click on it.
4. Here you will see an option named Shared Folders.
5. Check the box to enable shared folders. Then, you can select Add to manually choose which macOS folders you want to share, or you can choose to share your entire home directory by enabling the appropriate option.
6. After selecting the folders you want to share, confirm the settings and close the configuration window.

Accessing shared folders in Windows

Now that the shared folders are set up on your virtual machine, you can access and manage these files within Windows.

To access these shared folders:

1. Open File Explorer on your Windows virtual machine.
2. On the left navigation panel, find the option called Network.
3. Click on vmware-host under the Network section to view the available shared folders.
4. You'll see shared folders from the macOS host available here. You can use them just like any other folder on your system, such as opening, copying, or saving files.

Enabling drag and drop

Another useful feature is VMware Fusion's ability to directly drag and drop files between your macOS desktop and Windows virtual machine:

1. Make sure your virtual machine is running with VMware Tools properly installed.
2. Find the file you want to transfer on macOS or Windows.
3. Click and drag the file from its source and drop it to the destination desktop or folder.

Using the Windows Clipboard between macOS and Windows

The ability to copy and paste text or files between systems is another feature enabled by VMware Tools:

• Select the content or file on macOS that you want to copy.
• Use the normal Mac shortcut (Command + C) for copy.
• Switch to your Windows virtual machine.
• Use the Windows paste shortcut (Ctrl + V) at the desired location.
• Conversely, you can copy content from Windows using Ctrl+C and paste it into macOS using Command+V.

Troubleshooting common problems

There may be cases where file sharing doesn't work smoothly. If you encounter problems, here are some general troubleshooting tips:

• Make sure VMware Tools is up to date: Most sharing issues can be resolved by updating VMware Tools, so make sure it's the latest version.
• Check network settings: Make sure your virtual machine is properly connected to a network (NAT or bridged) that allows file sharing.
• Restart the services: Sometimes, restarting the VMware services on both the host and the guest can resolve file-sharing issues.

Advanced sharing features

VMware Fusion also offers advanced features such as mapping network drives, which can create a more convenient user interface for persistent sharing.

To map a network drive, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer in your Windows virtual machine.
2. Click on This PC.
3. Select Map Network Drive from the top ribbon menu.
4. Select the drive letter you want to assign to the shared folder and enter the network path of the folder on macOS, usually something like \\vmware-host\Shared Folders\YourSharedFolder.
5. Authenticate using your macOS user credentials if necessary.

When using this feature, the shared folder gets a permanent location in This PC for easy access.

Safety and security considerations

When sharing files across different systems, always consider security best practices:

• Avoid sharing sensitive data: Share only necessary directories and avoid including sensitive personal data.
• Check firewall settings regularly: Adjusting firewall settings may be necessary, but be sure to maintain a secure configuration to prevent unauthorized access.
• Stay protected from malware: Make sure both macOS and Windows operating systems have active and updated antivirus protection.

Conclusion

Sharing files between macOS and Windows using VMware Fusion can significantly streamline workflow and productivity, especially in environments where cross-platform compatibility is required. With time-saving features like shared folders and drag-and-drop functionality, VMware Fusion stands out as a powerful tool for users requiring seamless integration between different operating systems.

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