VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

Browse and Manage Files in VMware ESXi VMFS Datastores

Learn how to browse VMFS datastore files in the vSphere Web Client, create folders, upload and download files, and safely delete datastore content.

A datastore is a storage container presented to ESXi for virtual machine files, ISO images, and other files. VMFS, or VMware Virtual Machine File System, is a datastore file system used by ESXi hosts. Datastores can be shared by multiple hosts or accessible by a single host, depending on the storage configuration.

Browsing a datastore lets an administrator inspect folders and files, verify that an upload completed, locate virtual machine files, retrieve logs, and perform basic file-management tasks. It is separate from creating a VMFS datastore or expanding its capacity.

Prerequisites and permissions

  • The ESXi host must have one or more accessible VMFS datastores.
  • Connect to the appropriate vCenter Server or directly to an ESXi host through the vSphere Web Client, the web-based administrative interface for vSphere.
  • Your account needs suitable datastore permissions. Depending on the task, these include privileges to browse, upload, download, create folders, and delete files.
  • Know the correct vCenter, datacenter, host, and datastore context before changing anything.

If permissions are assigned through vCenter roles, review the role and its propagation to the target datastore. For permission administration, see Assign Permissions.

Open the datastore inventory

  1. Sign in to the vSphere Web Client.
  2. Open the Datastore inventory, which is the inventory view listing datastores available within the selected vCenter Server, datacenter, or host context.
  3. Review the datastore list and identify a VMFS datastore that is accessible to the required host or hosts.
  4. Select the target datastore before opening its management and file views.

If the datastore is not listed, first confirm that you are viewing the intended inventory scope and that the datastore is mounted and accessible. Storage administration topics such as configuring an iSCSI datastore are covered in Configure iSCSI Software Initiator.

Open and use the Files view

  1. Open the selected datastore's management area.
  2. Choose the Files view. This is the datastore management view used to inspect and manage directory and file contents.
  3. Use the file browser to view folders at the current level.
  4. Open a folder to navigate into it, use the navigation controls to return to a parent directory, and select an item before using an action.

The exact labels and layout can vary between vSphere releases, but the file browser normally provides actions for creating folders, uploading, downloading, and deleting. Check the datastore's available capacity before uploading files or creating content.

Typical virtual machine folder contents

A folder named for a virtual machine commonly contains a VMX configuration file, VMDK virtual disk files, snapshot-related files, logs, and a virtual machine swap file. The presence and names of some files depend on the VM state, snapshots, hardware, and vSphere version.

File type or extension — Purpose — Deletion or modification risk

VMX configuration file — Stores virtual machine configuration — Removing or changing it can prevent the VM from registering or starting correctly.

VMDK virtual disk files — Store virtual machine disk data; VMDK is VMware's virtual disk format — Deletion can permanently destroy guest data.

Snapshot-related files — Represent snapshot disk state and associated metadata — Manual changes can corrupt the snapshot chain or the VM.

Log files — Record virtual machine events and troubleshooting information — Usually lower risk to remove only when no longer needed, but preserve them for investigation first.

Virtual machine swap files — Support VM memory management while the VM is running — They may be locked or recreated automatically; do not remove them from an active VM.

Datastore browser actions

Action — Where to perform it — Result — Key precaution

Browse files and folders — Files view of the selected datastore — Displays directories and datastore-resident files — Confirm the selected datastore and folder before acting.

Create folder — New-folder action in the file browser — Adds a directory — Use a meaningful, non-conflicting name.

Upload file — Upload-file action in the file browser — Copies a local workstation file to the selected datastore folder — Check free space and wait for completion.

Download file — Select an eligible file and use Download — Saves a copy to the administrator's computer — Browser and permission restrictions may apply.

Delete file or folder — Select the item and use Delete — Removes the selected datastore content after confirmation — Deletion is destructive; never treat VM-owned files as disposable.

Create a datastore folder

  1. Open the VMFS datastore's Files view.
  2. Navigate to the parent directory where the folder should be created.
  3. Choose the New folder or equivalent folder-creation action.
  4. Enter a descriptive name and confirm creation.

Use meaningful names such as ISO, Installation-Media, Drivers, or Support-Files. Avoid ambiguous names and check for an existing folder with the same name before confirming.

Upload a file to a datastore

  1. Check the datastore's free capacity. The file size, required headroom, and any storage reservations must fit within available space.
  2. Open the destination folder in the datastore browser.
  3. Choose the Upload file action.
  4. Select a file from the administrator's local workstation.
  5. Wait for the transfer to finish. Do not close the browser tab or interrupt the management connection during the transfer.
  6. Refresh or inspect the folder and confirm that the uploaded file appears.

Common upload uses include ISO images for guest operating-system installation, OVF or OVA-related files where applicable, scripts, drivers, and supporting files. An ISO image is an optical disc image commonly stored on a datastore for installation media.

Example: upload an installer ISO

  1. Open a VMFS datastore's Files view and create or open a folder named Installation-Media.
  2. Verify that the datastore has enough free space for the ISO.
  3. Choose Upload file and select the ISO on the workstation.
  4. Wait for completion and confirm the ISO appears in the destination folder.

Download a datastore file

  1. Navigate to the folder containing the required file.
  2. Select an eligible file.
  3. Choose Download and select a local destination if the browser prompts for one.
  4. Confirm that the transfer completed successfully before inspecting or sharing the copy.

Downloading can be useful for collecting logs, retrieving installation media, or obtaining small supporting files. Browser security settings, file type restrictions, account permissions, and the vSphere release can affect whether a download is available.

Example: retrieve a log for analysis

  1. Locate the relevant log file in the datastore browser.
  2. Download it to the administrator workstation.
  3. Preserve the original datastore copy until troubleshooting or support review is complete.
  4. Inspect the downloaded copy with an appropriate tool.

Delete a datastore file or folder

  1. Confirm that the item is no longer needed and does not belong to an active or registered virtual machine.
  2. Select the file or folder in the datastore browser.
  3. Choose Delete.
  4. Read the confirmation prompt carefully and confirm only when the target and consequences are understood.
  5. Verify the result in the file browser and, if applicable, check whether the datastore free-space value changes.

Deletion is destructive. A folder may need to be empty before the interface or storage workflow permits its removal. Never use ad hoc deletion to remove VM disks, configuration files, snapshots, swap files, or lock files.

Safe handling of virtual machine files

Do not manually delete, move, rename, or alter files belonging to registered or powered-on virtual machines. A VM's VMDK disks, VMX configuration, snapshot files, logs, swap files, and lock files can have dependencies and may be actively accessed by ESXi.

For VM-level operations, use normal vSphere inventory actions instead of directly changing datastore contents. Depending on the goal, appropriate actions may include migration, unregistering and registering a VM, Delete from disk, cloning, or snapshot management. Review backup and recovery requirements before removing any file.

Datastore browsing versus datastore provisioning

Browsing manages directories and files inside an existing datastore. It does not create a VMFS datastore, format storage, mount a datastore on additional hosts, or expand datastore capacity.

Uploads and folder creation can succeed only when the datastore has sufficient free capacity and is accessible to the selected host. Capacity expansion and storage presentation are separate administrative workflows. For general ESXi concepts, see VMware ESXi Online Course and VMware ESXi.

Troubleshooting datastore file operations

The target datastore is not visible

  • Confirm that the datastore is mounted and accessible to the selected ESXi host.
  • Check that the vSphere Web Client is showing the intended vCenter Server, datacenter, host, or inventory context.
  • Review the user's roles and datastore-view permissions.

Upload fails or the upload control is unavailable

  • Verify that sufficient datastore free space remains.
  • Confirm that the account has datastore browse and upload privileges.
  • Retry with a supported browser, a stable management connection, and a valid local file selection.
  • Wait for the transfer to complete before refreshing or closing the browser.

A file or folder cannot be deleted

  • Determine whether the item belongs to a running or registered VM.
  • Check whether the folder still contains files.
  • Confirm that the account has delete permission.
  • Consider whether a storage or file lock is preventing the operation.
  • Use normal vSphere VM-management workflows for VM-owned files rather than forcing a datastore deletion.

Downloaded content does not open

  • Verify the file type and whether it is intended for direct use on the local workstation.
  • Confirm that the download completed without interruption.
  • Use VMware tooling or another specialized application when the file format requires it.
  • Inspect the content only in a safe copy when its purpose or origin is uncertain.

Exam-relevant notes

  • VMFS is the file system; a datastore is the storage container presented to ESXi.
  • The Files view and datastore browser are used for directory and file operations, not for provisioning or expanding the datastore.
  • Upload, download, folder creation, and deletion each depend on appropriate datastore privileges.
  • Deleting VM-owned files manually can make a virtual machine unusable and can cause permanent data loss.
  • Always verify datastore accessibility, free capacity, inventory context, and permissions before troubleshooting a file operation.