How do I rename a VM?

[Jake1042]

I have created a Win11 VM and the files are named e.g. "Windows 11 x64 Pro.vmx" and other extensions.

I would like the name to we different.

Can I (and how do I) rename all the VMware files - and still have a working VM afterwards?

Alternatively I must create a new one - and pay attention to the naming... but it would be nice if I could just rename the existing one (because I have activated the license..).

[Ben Merryman]

I typically leave the VM as is and rename the folder that contains the files. This way I can "know" the origin of the VM and the rename of the folder will allow me to name it whatever I want to name the PC in the VM itself (my typical way of "knowing" what the system is) and then renaming in the tree when I relaunch the VMX file.

Otherwise you could try using the Power Rename tool in the MS PowerToys suite and renaming all the files then repointing the config files.

Gemini AI (I'm really sorry! This may be incorrect info that follows) suggests the following method:

• Shut Down the VM: Ensure the VM is completely powered off, not just suspended.

• Open VMware Workstation.

• Locate the VM in the Library: Find "Windows 11 x64 Pro" (or its current name) in the list on the left.

• Rename in Library:

  • Right-click on the VM name in the library.

  • Select Manage > Rename... or simply Rename (the exact menu item might vary slightly depending on your Workstation version).

  • Enter the new desired name for the VM (e.g., "Win11-Dev-Pro").

• Check Files (Optional but Recommended): VMware should handle renaming the core files (.vmx, .vmxf, etc.) and updating the internal references when you use this feature. Navigate to the VM's directory in File Explorer (you can right-click the VM in the library and choose "Open VM Directory") and see if the files (.vmx, .nvram, .vmsd, .vmxf) have been renamed to match the new VM name.

  • Important Note: This built-in rename often renames the configuration files but might not rename the large virtual disk files (.vmdk). The VM will still work perfectly fine as the .vmx file will be updated to point to the correctly named (even if it's the old name) .vmdk file. If you absolutely need the .vmdk files renamed as well, you'll likely need to use Method 2.

[RaSystemlord]

Just adding to the discussion that you already have ...

... the filenames are not really an issue and personally, I would leave them alone.

One VM = One folder. Thus there is nothing to know about filenames. VM name is something that you can change at any time in the particular VM menu. A good naming convention is of benefit, when you have many of them. VM name and Folder should match for your own convenience - how they match, well, whatever, but for me they are exactly the same. A good name might be something like "Win10TestApril_1". What the Windows Host name is, doesn't matter in this respect - obviously, for other purposes you want to select a good name. Windows Host name can or cannot be changed easily - it depends what you are running there. For instance, if you have a SQL Server database with possible application data in it, then it would make changing the Windows host name next to impossible (I mean, directly changing, without some backup/delete/reinstall workflow of some kind, depending on what you have there).

There are some (bad) workflows where the vm-files can get into a wrong place and be there without them working - I mean adding a disk, which requires perhaps one not anticipated OK-press, in the end of the workflow of adding a disk. Then you might need to be fiddling with the disk files to get them organized in a decent manner. Obviously, a fool-proof backup of everything is recommended before touching and deleting the non-working files.

As such, you can move your VM=One Folder, anywhere you like (be sure that Pro window doesn't "allocate" you VM while moving). Just select "I moved it" after the move. At least previously, you did need to say "I copied", if your architecture changed, like from Intel to Ryzen - otherwise, the VM stopped working ... not sure if this is universally true anymore. "I copied" is the safe bet, but some Win-related activation might be required after that. If not obvious, a fool-proof backup should be made before doing anything mentioned above. This move/copy, works without problems between Windows and Linux, too. (I hope the thing that you cannot run VM computer from NTFS on Linux bug (=too slow to even open up, like ever), is corrected now). On Linux, you obviously run VM on ext* filesystem.

[Lossa]

Hi
You can also rename it:  Edit Virtual Machine Settings
Options
General: Virtual Machine Name
Cdlt

[Jake1042]

Thank you for the input and considerations.

I'll leave the name as it was created. I'll keep track of the use through the name of the folder with the VMware files.

It was mainly to comfort my want for a consistency with historic naming - and it is not really important..

[Morc001]

You can clone the VM by right-clicking on the VM in the left panel, Manage -> Clone... then choose full clone. This will rename/update all files except the VMDK files. If the VM does not have any snapshots you can rename the VMDK file manually, then edit the VMX file in a text editor, find the reference to the VMDK file and modify it to the new name. If you have snapshots and you don't need them, then deleted the snapshots and then rename the VMDK. Don't rename the VMDK if you have snapshots and you need them as it'll break the VM!