Encrypt a Virtual Machine

You can encrypt a virtual machine to secure it from unauthorized use.

Depending on the size of the virtual machine, the encryption process can take several minutes or several hours.

Prerequisites

• Power off the virtual machine.
• Familiarize yourself with the encryption feature limitations. See Virtual Machine Encryption Limitations.

Procedure

1. Select the virtual machine and click Edit virtual machine settings on the right pane.
2. On the Options tab, select Access Control.
3. Click Encrypt.
4. Choose the appropriate encryption type.
5. Click Encrypt, type an encryption password, and click Encrypt.

   The encryption password is required to gain access to the virtual machine. It does not prevent the user from changing the virtual machine configuration.

   Important: Record the encryption password you use. If you forget the password, Workstation Player does not provide a way to retrieve it. You can select Remember password option to save the password to the local password vault.
   Workstation Player begins encrypting the virtual machine.
6. Click OK in the Virtual Machine Settings dialog box.