Virtual machine files

Each VM consists of several types of files usually stored on the host operating system.

Here is a list and description of files that make up a virtual machine:

• Configuration file (<VM name>.vmx) – the primary configuration file that stores the settings of a virtual machine
• BIOS file (<VM name>.nvram) – a file that contains the virtual machine’s BIOS
• Log files (vmware.log or <VM name>.log) – a virtual machine log file
• Paging file (<VM name>.vmem) – the virtual machine paging file
• Disk file (<VM name>.vmdk) – virtual disk file that stores the contents of the virtual machine hard disk.
• Snapshot data file (<VM name>.vmsd) – a file that stores information and metadata about snapshots
• Snapshot state file (<VM name>.vmsn) – a file that stores the running state of a virtual machine at the time you take the snapshot
• Suspend state file (<VM name>.vmss) – a file that stores the state of a suspended virtual machine.

Here is a list of files that make up an Ubuntu virtual machine: