{"id":8148,"date":"2019-06-24T02:35:22","date_gmt":"2019-06-24T02:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/?p=8148"},"modified":"2019-07-15T08:16:51","modified_gmt":"2019-07-15T08:16:51","slug":"how-to-expand-a-virtual-disk-in-vmware-or-virtualbox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/how-to-expand-a-virtual-disk-in-vmware-or-virtualbox\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Expand a Virtual Disk in VMware or VirtualBox"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>VMware and VirtualBox are 2 popular virtualization software, which enables us to operate several systems in one physical computer. When you create a virtual machine on them, a virtual disk is needed to be made firstly and you can allocate the maximum space for it. What&#8217;s more, the maximum space is changeable, which means that you can increase the disk space when it&#8217;s not enough for usage. So, how can you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/how-to-expand-a-virtual-disk-in-vmware-or-virtualbox\/\">expand a virtual disk in VMware or VirtualBox<\/a>? Here, you can get 3 helpful answers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"353\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8149\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/expand-virtual-disk-in-vmware-or-virtualbox.png\" alt=\"expand a virtual disk in VMware or VirtualBox\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/expand-virtual-disk-in-vmware-or-virtualbox.png 600w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/expand-virtual-disk-in-vmware-or-virtualbox-300x177.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#part1\">Part One: How to Increase Hard Disk Space in VMware Virtual Machine<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#part2\">Part Two: How to Expand a Virtual Disk in VirtualBox<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Preparations before applying the following ways:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/computer\/3-reliable-ways-to-backup-important-files-on-your-computer.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Back up files<\/a> on the virtual disk which will be expanded.<\/li>\n<li>Remove all the snapshots from the virtual machine.<\/li>\n<li>Power off the virtual machine.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"part1\">Part One: How to Increase Hard Disk Space in VMware Virtual Machine<\/h2>\n<h3>Solution 1: Increase the Disk Space in VMware with its Extend Function<\/h3>\n<p>Step 1. Open VMware, choose the virtual machine and click Edit virtual machine settings.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"183\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8150 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/open-settings-window-of-virtual-machine.png\" alt=\"open the Settings window of virtual machine\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/open-settings-window-of-virtual-machine.png 600w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/open-settings-window-of-virtual-machine-300x92.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Step 2. Select the virtual disk and click Expand in the right panel. In the pop-out window, set a maximum space you want, then choose Expand to execute the operation.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8151 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/set-maximum-space-for-virtual-disk.png\" alt=\"set maximum space for virtual disk\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/set-maximum-space-for-virtual-disk.png 600w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/set-maximum-space-for-virtual-disk-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Step 3. Start the virtual machine &gt; go to Computer Management &gt; select Disk Management. And you will see that the disk space is enlarged to the storage you set.<\/p>\n<h3>Solution 2: Add Disk Space to VMware via Command Prompt<\/h3>\n<p>Step 1. Open the VMware installation folder. Then, press Shift and right-click the interface of the folder. In the context menu, choose Open command window here to open the Command Prompt.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"329\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8152 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/open-cmd-in-vmware-folder.png\" alt=\"open CMD in VMware folder\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/open-cmd-in-vmware-folder.png 600w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/open-cmd-in-vmware-folder-300x165.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Tips: If you can&#8217;t find the VMware installation folder, you can right-click the VMware software, select Properties and click Shortcut to check it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"355\" height=\"255\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8153 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/vmware-installation-location.png\" alt=\"VMware installation location\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/vmware-installation-location.png 355w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/vmware-installation-location-300x215.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Step 2. After that, input <strong>vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -x Maximum size Gb &#8220;the location of the virtual disk file&#8221;<\/strong> like <em><span style=\"background-color: #ebebeb;\">vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -x 100Gb &#8220;E:\\Windows 10 x64.vmdk&#8221;<\/span><\/em>. At last, you can check the expanded disk space in the Disk Management after powering on the virtual machine.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"159\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8154 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/expand-vmware-disk-in-cmd.png\" alt=\"expand VMware disk in CMD\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/expand-vmware-disk-in-cmd.png 600w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/expand-vmware-disk-in-cmd-300x80.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Tips: To check the location of the virtual disk file, you can realize it by choosing the virtual machine in VMware &gt; double-click the virtual disk.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"142\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8155 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/location-of-vmware-disk-file.png\" alt=\"location of the VMware disk file\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/location-of-vmware-disk-file.png 600w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/location-of-vmware-disk-file-300x71.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"part2\">Part Two: How to Expand a Virtual Disk in VirtualBox<\/h2>\n<p>Step 1. Locate to the place where installs VirtualBox and enter it. In the VirtualBox installation folder, hold down Shift and right-click the interface. Then, select Open command window here.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"339\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8156 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/run-cmd-in-virtualbox-folder.png\" alt=\"run CMD in the VirtualBox folder\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/run-cmd-in-virtualbox-folder.png 600w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/run-cmd-in-virtualbox-folder-300x170.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Tips: The installation location of VirtualBox can be found by right-clicking the VirtualBox icon &gt; click Properties &gt; switch to Shortcut interface.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"377\" height=\"258\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8157 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/virtualbox-installation-place.png\" alt=\"VirtualBox installation place\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/virtualbox-installation-place.png 377w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/virtualbox-installation-place-300x205.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Step 2. To expand a virtual disk in VirtualBox, type the following command line in the CMD.<\/p>\n<p><strong>VBoxManage modifyhd &#8220;the virtual disk file&#8217;s location&#8221; \u2013\u2013resize expansion space(in Mb)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"background-color: #ebebeb;\">VBoxManage modifyhd &#8220;C:\\Users\\pc\\VirtualBox VMs\\Windows 10\\Windows 10.vdi&#8221; \u2013\u2013resize 96120<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Note: There are double dashes before &#8220;resize&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"96\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8159 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/expand-virtualbox-disk-in-cmd.png\" alt=\"expand the VirtualBox disk in CMD\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/expand-virtualbox-disk-in-cmd.png 600w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/expand-virtualbox-disk-in-cmd-300x48.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Tips: If you forget the location of the virtual disk file, you can get it through opening the Settings window in the VirtualBox &gt; select Storage and choose the virtual disk.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"255\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8160 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/disk-location-of-virtualbox.png\" alt=\"disk location of VirtualBox\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/disk-location-of-virtualbox.png 600w, https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/disk-location-of-virtualbox-300x128.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Step 3. When the virtual disk is expanded successfully, there is unallocated space for the virtual disk in the Disk Management.<\/p>\n<p>To use the unallocated space, you can add it to the adjacent partition by the Extend Volume option or create a new volume with it.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Related Articles:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/how-to-increase-c-drive-space-from-d-drive-in-windows-without-data-loss\/\">How to Increase C Drive Space from D Drive in Windows without Data Loss<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/reviews\/virtualbox-or-vmware-which-one-is-better.html\">VirtualBox or VMware, Which One Is Better?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/windows-10\/expand-windows-10-os-partition.html\">[Tested and Worked] 4 Ways to Expand Windows 10 OS Partition<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/computer\/free-up-space-on-c-drive-of-windows.html\">6 Tips to Free up Space on Your C Drive of Windows Computer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>VMware and VirtualBox are 2 popular virtualization software, which enables us to operate several systems in one physical&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[252,50],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-virtualbox","category-vmware"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8148"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8148\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8292,"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8148\/revisions\/8292"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.isunshare.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}