Working with virtual disks in VMware Workstation gives you powerful flexibility—especially when you need direct access to files from a virtual machine without booting it. Whether you’re troubleshooting, recovering data, or just copying files, knowing how to map and disconnect a virtual disk (VMDK) can save you time.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you safely map and disconnect virtual disks in VMware Workstation.

What Is a Virtual Disk (VMDK)?

A VMDK file is a virtual hard disk used by VMware virtual machines. It contains the operating system, applications, and data just like a physical hard drive.

Mapping a virtual disk lets you mount it directly on your host system (Windows) without starting the VM.

When You Might Map a Virtual Disk

• Recover data from a VM that won’t boot
• Copy files from a VM without powering it on
• Inspect or modify files inside the VM
• Back up important VM data

Before You Begin

• Make sure the VM is powered off.
• VMware Workstation must be installed on a Windows host (disk mapping is only supported on Windows).
• Use Administrator privileges to avoid access issues.

How to Map a Virtual Disk in VMware Workstation

Step 1: Open VMware Workstation

Launch VMware Workstation and ensure the VM is powered off.

Step 2: Go to the Disk Mapping Tool

1. From the top menu, go to: File > Map Virtual Disks
2. Click Browse and select the .vmdk file of the virtual disk you want to map.

Tip: If the VM uses split disks or snapshots, be sure to select the correct base or current snapshot file.

Step 3: Select the Volume

• Once the disk is loaded, VMware will list the partitions inside it.
• Choose the partition you want to map and click OK.

The virtual disk will now appear in Windows Explorer as a new drive letter (e.g., E:).

How to Safely Disconnect a Mapped Virtual Disk

Once you’re done, it’s important to cleanly unmap the disk:

1. Go back to: File > Map Virtual Disks
2. Click Disconnect next to the mapped volume.

Never just eject it from Windows Explorer—it could cause corruption.

Limitations and Notes

• You cannot write to virtual disks with snapshots when mapped—read-only access is enforced.
• Mapping may not work with encrypted VMs or compressed disks.
• Linux host systems do not support disk mapping via GUI.

Conclusion

Mapping and disconnecting virtual disks in VMware Workstation is a quick way to access VM data without starting the full virtual machine. Just remember to map with care, especially when working with snapshots or critical data.

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