Windows doesn't have a native driver for APFS formatted file systems (the format is Apple proprietary). That's why a re-directed USB drive can't be seen by the VM when using Fusion. The reason ExFAT works is that Windows does understand ExFAT file systems (as well as macOS which has evidently licensed the ExFAT format from Microsoft).
Until Fusion implements folder sharing for Windows ARM guests, you can use this workaround. Share the external SSD using the Windows file sharing that's built into macOS. You'd then access that share using built-in SMB file sharing from the Windows VM.
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- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
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Original Message:
Sent: Apr 06, 2025 08:51 PM
From: Pavel Nikerov
Subject: External SSD Not Recognized in VMware Fusion
Hi! Does VMware Fusion support accessing external SSD APFS drives, like Parallels does? I've got a Kingston XS2000 2TB, which is not showing in the Windows 11 drives list. However, when I try to plug ExFAT 128GB flash drive everything works fine.
Thanks in advance.