VMware Virtual Machine Status: Currently Active or In Use

Key Notes

  • Perform basic troubleshooting before advancing to complex solutions.
  • Delete lock files if they are causing issues with access.
  • Reinstall VMware Workstation if problems persist.

How to Resolve VMware’s ‘Virtual Machine In Use’ Error

If you’ve faced the frustrating issue of a virtual machine being marked as ‘in use’ in VMware Workstation, you are not alone. This comprehensive guide will walk you through practical solutions to tackle this common error effectively.

Resolving the Virtual Machine In Use Error

Step 1: Basic Troubleshooting Techniques

Begin by restarting both VMware Workstation and your computer. This can clear minor issues like stuck processes. To ensure no VMware processes are running, close the application, then press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to bring up Task Manager and terminate any lingering processes. After this, perform a reboot to refresh the system and free up resources before relaunching VMware.

Step 2: Remove Lock Files

Lock files serve to prevent simultaneous access to a VM but can cause issues if corrupted. To remove them:

  1. Ensure the VM is powered off and exit VMware Workstation.
  2. Navigate to the directory where the VM files are stored and back up any necessary files. Locate folders suffixed with.lck.
  3. Right-click each identified lock file and delete them.

After this, attempt to start the VM again to see if the issue persists.

Step 3: Rebuild Your Virtual Machine

Unexpected shutdowns or file conflicts may necessitate the recreation of the VM:

  1. Open VMware Sphere Client, locate the VM, right-click, and select Remove.
  2. In VMware Workstation, go to File > New Virtual Machine and create a new instance for the desired operating system.
  3. After setup, right-click the new VM, select Settings, and under Hard Disk choose Add > Next.
  4. Select Use an existing virtual disk, browse to the original VM’s vmdk file, click Next, then Finish to finalize.

Launch the VM and verify if the problem has been resolved.

Step 4: Check for VMware Updates

Sometimes, bugs or compatibility problems can be resolved with updates:

  1. Open VMware and click Help from the top menu.
  2. Select Software Update and wait for VMware to search for updates.
  3. Click Download and Install to complete the process.

After updating, check if you can now access the VM.

Step 5: Reinstall VMware Workstation

If all else fails, consider reinstalling VMware Workstation:

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings, go to Apps, then Installed apps.
  2. Find VMware, click the three dots, and select Uninstall.
  3. Download the latest version of VMware Workstation Pro and follow the installation prompts.
  4. Restart your PC, relaunch the application, and configure a new Virtual Machine.

Hopefully, these solutions will restore functionality to your VM.

Additional Tips

  • Ensure backups are made regularly for all VMs.
  • Run VMware as an administrator to avoid access issues.
  • Consider using snapshots for easy recovery.

Summary

This guide provided actionable steps for resolving the ‘virtual machine is currently in use’ error in VMware Workstation, covering basic troubleshooting, lock file deletion, VM rebuilding, software updates, and reinstallation solutions.

Conclusion

By employing the recommendations outlined in this guide, users should be able to effectively mitigate the ‘in use’ error and gain uninterrupted access to their VMware virtual machines. Remember that keeping your software updated is key to avoiding future issues.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How can I set my virtual machine to start automatically?

To enable automatic startup, right-click on the Virtual Machine in the inventory, select the Autostart option, configure your settings, and click Save.

How can I forcefully shut down a virtual machine?

To force shutdown, click on the VM, navigate to VM in the top menu, then Power, and select Power off. If this option is unresponsive, use Task Manager to forcibly close the application.