How to import existing VM in vmware workstation 8 inventory

vmware-workstation

I like to add existing vmware (player) virtual machines to the vmware workstation 8 inventory on linux. When I create a new virtual machine, it is stored in /var/lib/vmware/Shared VMs/. But copying new directories to that folder, does not make them appear in the workstation window.

I found out, the inventory is stored in /etc/vmware/hostd/vmInventory.xml;

<ConfigRoot>
  <ConfigEntry id="0000">
    <objID>1</objID>
    <vmxCfgPath>/var/lib/vmware/Shared VMs/test 1234/test 1234.vmx</vmxCfgPath>
  </ConfigEntry>
</ConfigRoot>

But I don't know if I break anything when adding entries myself, and giving it an unique ID. Besides, adding a large number of VMs this way is a bit cumbersome.

On ESX, it was possible to use vmware-cmd -s register, but I don't have a vmware-cmd installed. In another question it was suggested to use vmware converter. But vmware converter 5 (on windows) only allows a destination file location when I select workstation as destination type. When I select vmware infrastructure as destination type, it says the destination is unsupported; it required vmware vcenter server.

Best Answer

Just open the VMX file with VMware Workstation. It will add it to the inventory.

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