My VMware Network Is Not Connecting to the Host Shared Files

VMware produces a line of virtual machine programs that run operating systems in a virtual computer inside another operating system. Users can access shared files from the host operating system in VMware. Recent versions of VMware store these files in a different network location, resulting in connection errors for users with old shortcuts.

Cause

Older versions of VMware make the host's shared files accessible to the guest virtual machine at the network location "\\.host\Shared Folders." Newer versions of VMware use the location "\\vmware-host\Shared Folders."

Versions

VMware Fusion 3.0 and Workstation 7.0, released in October 2009, were the first versions to use the new location. VMware virtual machines created with earlier versions have links to the outdated shared files folder.

Solution

Connect to the host's shared files inside the VMware virtual machine through the "Shared Folders on vmware-host" link in the My Network Places window. VMware doesn't delete outdated links automatically, you'll have to delete links to the outdated ".host" network location in the My Network Places window manually.

References

• VMware: .Host Shared Folder Alias in My Network Places Inaccessible or Unavailable
• VMware: VMware Announces the Availability of VMware Fusion 3--the Best Way to Run Windows and PC Applications on a Mac
• VMware: Using Shared Folders