VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

Change a Virtual Machine Working Directory in VMware Workstation Player

Learn how to change a VMware Workstation Player VM working directory while keeping its .vmx file, logs, and virtual disks in their original folder.

A VMware Workstation Player working directory is a host-side folder used for virtual machine runtime and temporary state files. Changing it can place high-I/O activity on a faster disk or move temporary storage away from a nearly full volume.

This setting does not relocate the entire virtual machine. The VM configuration file, virtual disks, and VMware log files remain in the VM's primary folder unless you use a separate VM relocation or migration procedure.

What the VMware working directory is

The working directory is a host folder designated for runtime and temporary VM data. It is separate from the VM's main installation or project folder, which normally contains the VM configuration and virtual disk files.

Depending on the VM's operations and configuration, the working directory can contain or be used for files such as:

.vmss: a suspended-state file that stores information needed to resume a suspended VM.
.vmsn: a file associated with virtual machine snapshot state.
.vmem: a file used for virtual machine memory or paging-related data.
Redo-log files: files that record virtual disk changes during relevant VM operations or configurations.

A virtual disk is the file-backed disk presented to the guest operating system. Its location is controlled separately from the working-directory setting.

Why change the working directory

Improve runtime I/O performance

Suspending, resuming, snapshot activity, paging, and other temporary operations can generate substantial disk input and output. Placing the working directory on a fast internal SSD can improve responsiveness when the VM's main files are stored on a slower disk.

For example, you can keep a VM's configuration and virtual disk on a large secondary drive while directing its working files to a fast SSD with sufficient free space.

Use a volume with more free capacity

Memory-related files, snapshot state, suspend data, and temporary disk activity can consume considerable host storage. Moving the working directory to another internal drive can reduce pressure on a nearly full VM storage volume without moving the entire VM.

The amount of host storage required varies with the VM's allocated memory, workload, snapshots, and suspend or resume activity. Do not assume that a small VM configuration means that its temporary storage requirements will always be small.

Keep the VM organized

A separate working folder lets you retain the VM's primary project folder in its existing location. This can be useful when the configuration and virtual disks are already organized on a large drive but temporary runtime data should use another drive.

Files and locations affected by the working-directory setting

Item	Typical purpose	Affected by changing working directory	Notes
.vmss suspended-state file	Stores suspended VM state	Typically yes	Used when the VM is suspended
.vmsn snapshot-state file	Stores snapshot-related VM state	Typically yes	Associated with snapshot operations
.vmem memory or paging-related file	Supports virtual memory or paging-related activity	Typically yes	Size and use can depend on VM memory and activity
Redo-log files	Records virtual disk changes during relevant operations	Typically yes	Can grow during disk-intensive activity
.vmx configuration file	Defines VM hardware and configuration settings	No	Remains in the VM's existing primary directory
VMware log files	Records VM and runtime events	No	Remains in the VM's primary directory
Virtual disk files	Provide storage to the guest operating system	No	Not relocated by this setting

Prepare the destination folder

Choose a stable local folder on the destination host drive.
Confirm that the drive is available and writable for the host account running VMware Workstation Player.
Check that enough free space is available for memory-related files, snapshots, suspend data, redo logs, and other temporary activity.
Prefer a path that will remain connected and retain the same drive letter on Windows or mount point on another host operating system.

Consideration	Recommended condition	Reason
Performance	Use fast local storage, preferably an SSD for frequent high-I/O activity	Paging, snapshots, and suspend or resume operations can be disk-intensive
Free disk capacity	Leave substantial space beyond the current VM footprint	Temporary and memory-related files can grow during use
Connection reliability	Use a continuously available internal or dependable fixed host volume	VM startup and runtime operations require the path to remain accessible
Write permissions	Choose a folder the VMware host process can create and modify files in	Insufficient permissions can prevent startup or runtime operations
Path consistency	Keep the same drive letter or mount point	A changed path can make the configured working directory unavailable
Storage type	Avoid removable or intermittently connected storage	Disconnects can interrupt VM operations and cause errors

Change the working directory in VMware Workstation Player

The VM must be fully powered off. Powered off means the guest has shut down completely. Do not make this change while the VM is running or suspended.

In the VMware Workstation Player VM library, select the virtual machine you want to change.
Open the VM management menu and choose Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings.
Open the Options tab.
Select the General category.
Locate the Working directory setting.
Use the browse control to select an existing destination folder or create a new folder.
Save or apply the settings.
Start the VM when you are ready to test the new location.

The navigation path is:

Select VM in Library > Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings > Options > General > Working directory

What moves and what remains

The working-directory setting changes the location used for eligible runtime and temporary VM files. It is not a method for moving the complete VM to another disk.

The .vmx configuration file remains in its existing directory.
VMware log files remain in the VM's primary directory.
Virtual disk files remain where they were stored.
Working-directory files such as suspend state, snapshot state, memory-related files, and applicable redo logs use the selected working location.

If your goal is to move every VM file, use a dedicated workflow for moving or copying a complete virtual machine rather than changing only this setting.

Storage planning examples

Faster runtime activity

Keep the VM folder and virtual disk on a large secondary drive, then select a fast internal SSD as the working directory. This arrangement can help when the VM frequently pages, takes snapshots, or is suspended and resumed.

Relieve a nearly full volume

Choose another internal drive with adequate free space for the working directory. The original VM folder can remain unchanged while temporary and state-related files use the roomier volume.

Preserve project organization

Create a dedicated host folder for runtime data and retain the .vmx file, virtual disks, and logs in the existing VM project folder. This separates temporary activity from the main VM files without relocating the VM itself.

Verify the new location

Open the VM's settings again and confirm that the Working directory field shows the intended path.
Start the VM and verify that the guest operating system runs normally.
When applicable, observe the destination folder during suspend, snapshot, or memory-intensive activity to confirm that relevant runtime files appear there.
Check the original VM folder and confirm that the .vmx file and VMware logs remain there.
Confirm that the virtual disk files are still in their original location.

Troubleshooting

The Working directory setting is unavailable

The VM may still be powered on or suspended, or the settings window may belong to a different VM.

Shut down the guest operating system.
Ensure the VM state is fully powered off rather than suspended.
Select the intended VM in the library and reopen its settings.

The VM fails to start after changing the path

The destination drive may be disconnected, the drive letter or mount point may have changed, the folder may no longer exist, or the host user may lack write permission.

Reconnect or remount the storage and restore the expected path.
Select an existing writable folder on a reliable local drive.
Correct the host filesystem permissions.
Recheck the Working directory value in the VM settings dialog.

The destination drive fills during VM use

Memory-related temporary files, snapshot or suspend operations, and multiple VMs sharing the same volume can consume more space than expected.

Free space or select a larger target volume.
Review and remove unnecessary snapshots where supported and appropriate.
Plan capacity using the VM's allocated memory, workload, snapshot use, and expected suspend activity.

The original folder still contains files

This is expected when only the working directory was changed. The .vmx file, logs, and virtual disks are not relocated by this setting. Use a complete VM relocation or migration workflow if all VM files must move.

Exam-relevant points

The working directory is a host folder for runtime and temporary VM state.
The VM must be fully powered off before changing the setting.
The path is changed through Player > Manage > Virtual Machine Settings > Options > General.
The .vmx configuration file, VMware logs, and virtual disks remain in their original locations.
Fast, writable, reliable storage with adequate free capacity is the safest destination.
A working-directory change is not the same as moving the complete virtual machine.

For the related procedure, see changing the working directory of a virtual machine.