Use the datastore file browser to manage the contents of your datastore. You can perform a number of tasks that include uploading files to the datastore, downloading datastore files to your system, moving and copying datastore folders or files, and creating new datastore directories.

Upload Files to a Datastore in the VMware Host Client

Use the datastore file browser to upload files to datastores on your host.

Note: Virtual Volumes do not support uploading files directly to the virtual datastores. You must first create a folder on the virtual datastore, and then upload the files into the folder.

In addition to their traditional use as a storage for virtual machine files, datastores can serve to store data or files related to virtual machines. For example, you can upload ISO images of operating systems from a local computer to a datastore on the host. You then use these images to install guest operating systems on the new virtual machines.

Prerequisites

Required privilege: Datastore.Browse Datastore

Procedure

  1. Click Storage in the VMware Host Client inventory and click Datastores.
  2. Click Datastore browser.
  3. Select the datastore that you want to store the file on.
  4. (Optional) Click Create directory to create a new datastore directory to store the file.
  5. Select the target folder and click Upload.
  6. Locate the item that you want to upload from your local computer and click Open.
    The file uploads to the datastore that you selected.
  7. (Optional) Refresh the datastore file browser to see the uploaded file on the list.
  8. Click Close to exit the file browser.

Download Files from a Datastore to Your System in the VMware Host Client

Use the datastore file browser to download files from the datastores available on the host that you are managing to your local system.

Prerequisites

Required privilege: Datastore.Browse Datastore

Procedure

  1. Click Storage in the VMware Host Client inventory and click Datastores.
  2. Click Datastore browser.
  3. Select the target datastore.
  4. Click the folder that contains the file that you want to download.
    The available files in the folder are displayed.
  5. Click the file that you want to download.
  6. Click Download.
    The file is downloaded to your system.
  7. Click Close to exit the file browser.

Delete Files from a Datastore in the VMware Host Client

You can permanently remove files from any datastore if you no longer need them.

Prerequisites

Required privilege: Datastore.Browse Datastore

Procedure

  1. Click Storage in the VMware Host Client inventory and click Datastores.
  2. Click Datastore browser.
  3. Select the target datastore.
  4. Select the folder that contains the file that you want to delete.
    The available files in the folder are displayed.
  5. Click the file that you want to remove from the datastore, click Delete, and click Delete again.
  6. Click Close to exit the file browser.

Move Datastore Folders or Files in the VMware Host Client

Use the datastore file browser to move files or folders to a new location, either on the same datastore or on a different datastore.

Note: Virtual disk files are moved and copied without format conversion. If you move a virtual disk to a datastore on a type of host that is different from the type of the source host, you might need to convert the virtual disks before you can use them.

Prerequisites

Required privilege: Datastore.Browse Datastore

Procedure

  1. Click Storage in the VMware Host Client inventory and click Datastores.
  2. Click Datastore browser.
  3. Select the target datastore.
  4. Select the file or folder that you want to move to another location and click Move.
  5. Select your target destination and click Move.
  6. Click Close to exit the file browser.

Copy Datastore Folders or Files in the VMware Host Client

Use the datastore file browser to copy folders or files to a new location, either on the same datastore or on a different datastore.

Note: Virtual disk files are moved and copied without format conversion. If you move a virtual disk to a datastore on a type of host that is different from the type of the source host, you might need to convert the virtual disks.

Prerequisites

Required privilege: Datastore.Browse Datastore

Procedure

  1. Click Storage in the VMware Host Client inventory and click Datastores.
  2. Click Datastore browser.
  3. Select the target datastore.
  4. Select the file or folder that you want to move to another location and click Copy.
  5. Select your target destination and click Copy.
  6. Click Close to exit the file browser.

Create a New Datastore Directory in the VMware Host Client

You can create new datastore directories if you want to store files in a particular location.

Prerequisites

Required privilege: Datastore.Browse Datastore

Procedure

  1. Click Storage in the VMware Host Client inventory and click Datastores.
  2. Click Datastore browser.
  3. Click Create directory.
  4. Select the target datastore.
  5. (Optional) Enter a name for the new directory.
  6. Click Create directory.
  7. Click Close to exit the file browser.