VMware Fusion Pro 13.6.3 "Directory Not Empty" Error

[Nathan Waibel]

I decided to uninstall and reinstall Fusion

[Technogeezer]

First, make sure you have quit the VMware Fusion GUI before doing anything.

Can you re-run the command

ls -alR "/Users/n8dagr8/Virtual Machines.localized/Windows 11 64-bit Arm.vmwarevm"

See if the folder “Virtual Disk.vmdk.lck” still exists.

if it does, you may have mis-typed the command to remove the folder based on what you posted. The proper command should be:

rm -rf  “/Users/n8dagr8/Virtual Machines.localized/Windows 11 64-bit Arm.vmwarevm/Virtual Disk.vmdk.lck”

(You omitted a space in the file name in the “rm” command)

If the folder does not exist, then try to power on the VM and then post the vmware.log file found in the VM’s bundle folder for further examination. 

[Technogeezer]

Did uninstalling and reinstalling Fusion fix your issue?

A common cause of that error is that Fusion is terminated uncleanly when a VM is running and has left a lock file left behind in the VM. Uninstalling and reinstalling Fusion won't fix that cause because the VMs don't get touched when you uninstall and reinstall Fusion. 

If you get that error again, please post a copy of the log file - it should be noting the directory that isn't empty.

[Nathan Waibel]

This did not help solve my problem, and I'm afraid I've only created a new problem. Now Windows won't load. 

I am way out of my league with all of this. A basic end user. Feeling now that I might have created more work in my haste to not wait and try the prompt with additional space that I mistakenly removed. I really appreciate the help and patience with my ignorance around all this.

[Technogeezer]

The screen shot you're posting is indicating that you're booting from the Windows installation ISO and not your VM's "hard drive". (the "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD" is the tip off that's happening.)

Assuming that you successfully went through the Windows installation process, you should disconnect the virtual CD/DVD drive before powering up the VM. You do that by going to the virtual machines's settings (right click on the virtual machine name in the left hand panel of the Virtual Machine Library window, and select "Settings". Then in the Settings window, click on CD/DVD (SATA). You should then  uncheck the Connect CD/DVD Drive check box. 

Then power up the VM.

If that doesn't power up the VM, then something else is wrong (and you may be experiencing the same problem that you originally posted about).. That's where the log file I asked for will help. 

[Technogeezer]

By the way, what happened immediatly before you first got the "Directory Not Empty" error? Did the Mac reboot or shut down (for example to apply a system update) when the VM was running?

[Nathan Waibel]

Sent the message in duplicate as the first one didn't seem to be posting

[Nathan Waibel]

Unfortunately, nothing seemed to happen prior to the first time I received the error message. My Macbook did not update or restart. I had quit VMware a few days prior, and was reopening it when I received the message asking if I copied it or moved it. I had done neither, and I've received this message intermittently in the past. I clicked that I copied it, and then I got the directory error.

Here is the log file.

[Technogeezer]

What you posted was helpful, but is not the vmware.log file that I was looking for. Here's how to find them:

• Locate the Virtual Machine in the Finder
• Right click on it, and select "Show Package Contents"

In the Finder window that opens, you'll find the files that make up your virtual machine (configuration, log files and virtual disk files). Please copy the files with the .log extension into an empty folder on your Desktop, compress that folder, and attach the resulting .zip file to a reply.

What you posted is helpful for is that there does not appear to be a lock file present any longer. That's good news.

By the way, if you ever get that "Moved or Copied" message again and you know that you didn't make a copy of the VM, answer "Moved", NOT "Copied". It's counter-intuitive based on what the error message wants you to do, but in this case "Moved" is the safer answer.

[Nathan Waibel]

Thank you again for your help and your patience. This is really is all beyond me. I was able to locate what you actually requested (never knew what "Show Pacakage Contents" did). Here is the zip file.

[Technogeezer]

Ok. From what I see, you have not installed Windows onto the hard drive of the virtual machine. You also may be suspending the virtual machine, not powering it off.

Here's how I'd proceed:

Power on this virtual machine from the Fusion GUI, then power it off - from the Fusion menu bar, click Virtual Machine > Shut Down

Now open the VM's settings, click on CD/DVD (SATA), and check the box to connect the CD/DVD drive to the VM.

Please read the following before doing anything else:

When you see the "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD" prompt, you must quickly click the mouse pointer in the VM's window and press any key on the keyboard. You have to do this within about 5 seconds -- or else the VM won't boot from the CD/DVD drive and moves on to  oot from the hard drive (where there is no installed operating system) or the network. If you don't do it quickly enough, don't worry. Simply shut down the VM (from the menu bar, click Virtual Machine > Shut down) and then power up the VM again and retry things.

Now, power on the VM, click the mouse pointer in the VM's window once you see the "Press any key" message, and press any key on the keybard. You should now see the first screen of Windows Setup (it's asking for language settings, if I remember correctly). 

At that point you go through an installation of Windows the same way you would as if you were installing it on a PC with no operating system installed.

You may want to look at the Unofficial Fusion for Apple Silicon Companion Guide that can help you through the installation process. 

[Nathan Waibel]

I had downloaded Windows from the network, but didn't appreciate that I still needed to hit a button to get it to load/run. It is now installed and I am back in. Thank you again for all your help with this!