VMware Workstation: The Right Way to Open Your VM Files

To open a virtual machine in VMware Workstation, you should use File > Open and select the .vmx file, or double-click the .vmx file in your file manager if the file association is set correctly. This is the only reliable method because the .vmx file is the actual configuration file that defines the virtual machine’s hardware, settings, and connected disk files.

What Are the Different VM File Types?

VMware Workstation creates several files for each virtual machine, and knowing what each one does helps you avoid opening the wrong one. The primary file is the .vmx file, which is a plain-text configuration file that stores the VM’s name, memory, CPU count, network settings, and paths to the virtual disks. The virtual disks themselves are stored in .vmdk files, which contain the actual data. You may also see .nvram (BIOS/UEFI state), .vmsd (snapshot metadata), .vmsn (snapshot memory state), and .log files. When you want to start a VM, you must open the .vmx file—not the .vmdk or any other file.

Why Double-Clicking the .vmx File Sometimes Fails

On Windows, VMware Workstation typically registers the .vmx file extension so that double-clicking it launches the VM. However, this association can break after a Windows update, a reinstall of VMware, or if you have multiple hypervisors installed (e.g., VirtualBox). If double-clicking opens a text editor or prompts you to choose a program, you can manually re-associate the extension: right-click the .vmx file, select Open with, choose VMware Workstation, and check the box for Always use this app. On Linux hosts, the association depends on your desktop environment; you may need to set the default application for the .vmx MIME type.

How to Open a VM from Within VMware Workstation

If double-clicking is not working, the most reliable method is to open the VM from the application itself. Follow these steps:

1. Launch VMware Workstation.
2. Click File in the top menu bar.
3. Select Open from the dropdown menu.
4. Navigate to the folder containing your VM files.
5. Select the .vmx file and click Open.

The VM will appear in the library pane on the left. You can then select it and click the Power on button (the green play icon) to start it. This method works regardless of file associations because it explicitly tells VMware which file to load.

What If You Only Have a .vmdk File?

Sometimes you might have a virtual disk file (.vmdk) but no .vmx configuration file—for example, if you extracted a disk from an old backup or received it from a colleague. In that case, you cannot directly open the .vmdk as a VM. Instead, you need to create a new virtual machine and attach the existing disk. In VMware Workstation, click File > New Virtual Machine, choose Custom (advanced), and when you reach the Select a Disk step, select Use an existing virtual disk and browse to the .vmdk file. The new VM will use that disk as its storage, and you can then power it on. This is a common recovery scenario, and it works as long as the .vmdk is intact and the guest OS is compatible with the hardware settings you choose.

Common Mistakes When Opening VM Files

One common mistake is trying to open the .vmdk file directly by double-clicking it. This will either do nothing or open a file manager, because VMware Workstation does not treat .vmdk as a launchable file. Another mistake is opening a snapshot file (.vmsn) or a suspend state file (.vmem)—these are not entry points for starting a VM. Also, be careful with .vmx files that are locked by another running instance; if you try to open a VM that is already running (or was not shut down cleanly), you may see a message about a lock file (.lck folder). In that case, you should either open the VM from the running instance or, if the previous instance crashed, delete the .lck folder after confirming no VMware process is using the VM.

Opening VM Files from a Different Host or Version

VMware Workstation can open VMs created on other hosts, but there are compatibility considerations. If you move a VM from VMware ESXi or VMware Player, Workstation will usually open the .vmx file directly, but it may prompt you to upgrade the virtual hardware version. You can accept the upgrade, but note that after upgrading, the VM may no longer be compatible with older VMware products. Conversely, if you try to open a VM with a newer virtual hardware version than your Workstation supports, you will get an error. In that case, you need to either upgrade VMware Workstation or, if you have access to the original host, downgrade the virtual hardware version. For VMs from other hypervisors like VirtualBox or Hyper-V, you cannot open their configuration files directly; you must export them as OVF/OVA files or convert the disk to a .vmdk using a conversion tool.

Using the Command Line to Open VMs

Advanced users can also open VMs from the command line using the vmrun utility that ships with VMware Workstation. The command to start a VM is:

vmrun start "C:\path\to\your.vmx"

You can also use vmrun stop, vmrun list, and vmrun snapshot for other operations. This is useful for scripting or automation. However, for most users, the graphical interface is simpler and less error-prone. The command-line method requires that the VM be registered or that you provide the full path to the .vmx file, and it will open the VM in the Workstation GUI if the GUI is installed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a .vmx file with VMware Player?

Yes, VMware Player (now called VMware Workstation Player) can open .vmx files. The process is identical: use File > Open and select the .vmx file. Player is free for personal use and supports the same file format. If you have both Workstation and Player installed, the file association may point to one or the other; you can change it in your operating system’s default apps settings.

What should I do if VMware says the .vmx file is corrupt?

If you get a message that the .vmx file is corrupt, first check if you have a backup of the file. The .vmx file is plain text, so you can open it with a text editor to see if it is empty or truncated. If you have a recent backup, restore it. If not, you can try to create a new VM with the same settings and attach the existing .vmdk disk, as described above. This will reconstruct the configuration without the corrupt file.

Why does opening a VM show a lock error?

The lock error appears when a .lck folder exists in the VM’s directory, indicating that another process is using the VM. This can happen if Workstation crashed or if you have the same VM open in another instance. To resolve it, close all VMware applications, then delete the .lck folder. Be careful to ensure no VMware process is still running in the background (check Task Manager on Windows or ps on Linux) before deleting.

Can I open a VM file directly from a network drive or USB drive?

Yes, you can open a .vmx file from a network share or USB drive, but performance may suffer, especially for the virtual disk. VMware Workstation can run VMs from external drives, but it is recommended to copy the VM to a local disk for better speed and stability. If you do run from a network drive, ensure the network latency is low and the connection is reliable, because a dropped connection can corrupt the VM’s disk.

Is it safe to open a .vmdk file with a text editor?

No, do not open a .vmdk file with a text editor. A .vmdk file is a binary disk image (or a small descriptor file if it is a split disk). Opening it with a text editor will not show readable content and could confuse you. If you need to inspect a .vmdk, use VMware’s tools or a disk imaging utility. The only text-based file you should edit is the .vmx configuration file, and even then, it is safer to use the Workstation GUI for changes.

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