With the isolation option, you can restrict file operations between the virtual machine and the host system, and between the virtual machine and other virtual machines.

To configure guest isolation options for a selected virtual machine, select Virtual Machine > Settings and select Isolation.

The following restrictions apply:
  • VMware Tools must be installed in the guest operating system to use guest isolation features.
  • You cannot configure these options for a remote virtual machine.
  • If the virtual machine is running macOS as the guest operating system, you can copy and paste text between the guest operating system and the host, but copying files is not supported.
Note: The drag and drop and copy and paste operations are enabled by default. You might want to disable these operations to prevent files from being accidentally transferred between the virtual machine and the host system.
Table 1. Isolation Options
Option Description
Enable drag and drop When this check box is deselected, the following options are restricted.
  • Drag and drop files from the host system to a Linux or Windows guest operating system.
  • Drag and drop files from the guest operating system to the host system.
  • Drag files from a file manager to an application that supports drag and drop, or from applications such as zip file managers that support drag-and-drop extraction of individual files.
To enable these operations, select the check box.
Enable copy and paste When this check box is deselected, the following operations are restricted.
  • Copy and paste text and files from the host system to a Linux or Windows guest operating system.
  • Copy and paste from the guest operating system to the host system.
  • Copy and paste text and files from one virtual machine to another.
To enable these operations, select the check box.