I keep a basic installation of the Windows OS (XP, Server, etc) in a VMWare machine and keep it updated and patched. Whenever I need to do a software evaluation, I simply use a copy of the basic installation. In this way, I don't spend time re-installing the basic OS for every test.
Today I was in the need to install various softwares which require several GB more than what I have pre-allocated in my basic installations. (I still does not understand what is with so many software coded for Windows the it requires to be installed on "C:". I have always found that so absurd!!! But that is not what I am talking about here.)
So, bottom line, I need to expand the Virtual Disk. After a short search I found that it is actually quite easy. Since I know I will be doing it again in the future I want to have it documented here:
- Stop the virtual machine
- Identify your virtual disk. Lets call it "mydisk.vmdk"
- VMWares have the Virtual Disk manager tool, so lets expand the disk to 20 GB. For that, you will have to do "vmware-vdiskmanager -x 20Gb mydisk.vmdk"
- You will see a progress indication showing you that it is doing what you ask.
- Once it finish you will need to make the host OS (in this case Windows) to recognize the new capacity of the Virtual Disk
- The easiest way to do this is to load the Virtual Disk as a secondary in another Windows VM
- Boot the Windows machine a run "diskpart" Windows utility
- Here, you can do "list disk" to see the actual disks assigned to your virtual machine
- Now identify your new volume "list volume" and select the proper one "select volume=#"
- Finally extend it executing the "extend" command
- Shutdown the VM and remove the disk.
- Boot the VM with the new extended hard disk.
- Done.
A more detailed explanation is available here.
Thanks for sharing the method of expanding a VMWare Virtual Disk with your readers.It was much needed as I have been searching the method since last few week but didn't find any authentic one.
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