• On TechRepublic: Do video games make you fat & depressed?
November 11, 2009 4:51 PM PST

Rename a virtual machine in VMware Fusion

by Tom Merritt
  • Font size
  • Print
  • Post a comment
When I upgraded my VMware Fusion virtual machine image of Windows Vista to Windows 7, all went smoothly, except updating its name. Trouble was, it was still called Windows Vista in the Library. Here's how I changed that annoying little issue.

First, make sure your virtual machine is powered off, not suspended.

Then, find your virtual machine's folder, most likely in Documents. Right- or control-click on the virtual machine file you want to rename and select "Show Package Contents."

Find the VMX file, right- or control-click it and open it with Text Edit or your favorite text editor.

Find the line called displayName and change it to the name you want. In my case, "Windows 7." Then save the file.

Now go launch VMware Fusion. In the library, select the wrongly named machine and delete it, but choose "Keep File."

Go back into the finder to your virtual machine's folder and rename the virtual machine file name to the correct name.

Now go back to the VMware Library. Choose File, then Open.

Browse to the newly renamed virtual machine. Select it. When it asks if the VM is moved, select "I copied it."

Voila! Your VM has a new name.

Recent posts from CNET TV
The Real Deal 188: Tech Turkeys
Enable Ctrl-Alt-Del log-in window in Windows 7
Top 5 best products of the fall
The Real Deal 187: Should you buy that warranty?
Rename a virtual machine in VMware Fusion
Top 5 most popular products for November
Seven essential free software apps for a new PC
Top 5: Free software
advertisement
Click Here

About CNET TV

CNET TV is where you get your video fix on the coolest gadgets, the latest gear, and up-to-the-minute tech reviews and news. And the CNET TV blog provides you a behind-the-scenes look at our shows, personalities, and even upcoming site features.

Add this feed to your online news reader

CNET TV Twitter Feeds

CNET TV topics

CNET TV bloggers

Brian Cooley
Molly Wood
Tom Merritt
Justin Eckhouse
Brian Tong

Get the CNET TV newsletter

Would you like a wrap-up of the week's hottest CNET TV videos delivered directly to your in-box? Then sign up for the weekly CNET TV newsletter, delivered every Friday.
Subscribe now!