How to Resize VMware Virtual Disk for Windows?

When your VMware virtual disk is running out of disk space, you have two ways to add more disk space to your virtual machines: add a second virtual disk to your virtual machine or resize existing virtual disk to be larger. Generally speaking, it is simple to add a second virtual hard disk. However, many users would rather increase the size of their existing virtual disk so that they don't have to change application or data locations.

In order to resize virtual disk, the VMware provides "vdiskmanager.exe" command line tool which can increase the size of virtual disk, but not extend VMware virtual partition. Therefore, to resize VMware partition, you still have to use third party partition software, for example, Aomei Partition Assistant.

Preparation work before VMware disk resize

Shut down your Windows virtual machine to confirm VMware is powered off.
Remove the snapshots in your VMware, if any.
Find out where your "vmware-vdiskmanager.exe" is. It would typically locate in the VMware installation directory, e.g. C:/Program Files/VMware/VMware Server/vmware-vdiskmanager.exe
Locate the full path to your Windows virtual machine disk (vmdk). For example, D:/Virtual Machines/Server2003Ent-x64/Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition.vmdk

Note: Before you perform the resize operation, I highly recommend you backup the VMDK in case operation fails.

How to resize VMware disk with Windows operating system?

Step1: Open "Run" from "Start" menu. Type "cmd" and hit "Enter" to open the "Command Prompt".

Step2: In the pop-up "command prompt" window. Type or paste the following command: "C:/Program Files/VMware/VMware Server/vmware-vdiskmanager.exe" –x 31GB "D:/Virtual Machines/Server2003Ent-x64/Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition.vmdk"

The capacity should be in line with the new size that you want, MB or GB, for example, 31GB will resize virtual disk to 31 gigabytes.

As mentioned above, this command tool can only resize VMware disk, but not virtual partition. After VMware resize disk done, you need third party utility like Aomei Partition Assistant Server Edition to extend system partition (C drive).

How to resize VMware partition with Aomei Partition Assistant?

With its user-friendly interface, it is very easy to use. First of all, launch Aomei Partition Assistant Server Edition, then right click on the partition you want to resize and select "Resize". In the pop-up window, drag the right and left handle to change the partition size. Do not forget to click "Apply" on the toolbar to perform the changes.

As all-in-one partition manager, Aomei Partition Assistant enables you to perform basic and advanced features without losing data. Apart from resizing partition, you can also create/delete/format partition, extend NTFS system partition without reboo, copy partition and clone hard drive, etc. Why not Free download and try it now?

For more detailed steps about increase VMware disk and extend C drive, please visit the following articles:

How to Increase Your VMware Virtual Disk Size Easily and Safely?

Extend/Expand C Drive in Windows Server 20032008 with Vmware.