6

I have a few VMs that I am moving between two hosts every so often. Every single time VMware will prompt me whether I moved or whether I copied it (not affecting or affecting the MAC address respectively).

Since ACE was retired with VMware Workstation 8, how can I configure my VMs such that VMware will not prompt and assume either of the offered answers?

Affected VMware versions: VMware 9 and 8.

1 Answer 1

9
+50

The VMware KB article Changing or keeping a UUID for a moved virtual machine explains the concept of unique identifier (UUID) and offers a solution that involves editing the VM configuration file (.vmx) and adding the line :

uuid.action = "keep"

This should always keep the existing unique identifier (UUID).

It is not specified starting from which version was this added to all VMware products.

4
  • 1
    I need to see whether this works for encrypted VMs, though. And whether it works on VMware Workstation at all. Thanks for answering. Sep 9, 2013 at 19:27
  • 1
    Does the job, but one doesn't get around decrypting the VM end then re-encrypting it, it seems. Thanks. Sep 9, 2013 at 20:26
  • I deal with creating multiple VMs over time - Isn't there a universal way to just disable the darn thing at the application level instead of having to going into the vmx everytime (after remembering to) ? I can understand this being required in production mode but in dev mode, who cares - let it just assume it was copied. It changes the internal IP address anyway.
    – killjoy
    Apr 19, 2018 at 22:18
  • @killjoy: Some versions of VMware allow to select "Always Keep" in this dialog for this one VM, so avoids editing. I don't know of a general mechanism.
    – harrymc
    Apr 20, 2018 at 6:00

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .