A virtual machine consists of several files that are stored on a storage device. The key files are the configuration file, virtual disk file, NVRAM setting file, and log file. You configure virtual machine settings through the vSphere Client, ESXCLI, or the vSphere Web Services SDK.
Caution: Do not change, move, or delete virtual machine files without instructions from a VMware Technical Support representative.
| File | Usage | Description |
|---|---|---|
| .vmx | vmname.vmx | Virtual machine configuration file |
| .vmxf | vmname.vmxf | Additional virtual machine configuration files |
| .vmdk | vmname.vmdk | Virtual disk characteristics |
| -flat.vmdk | vmname-flat.vmdk | Virtual machine data disk |
| .nvram | vmname.nvram or nvram | Virtual machine BIOS or EFI configuration |
| .vmem | vmname.vmem | Virtual machine paging backup file |
| .vmsd | vmname.vmsd | Virtual machine snapshots information (metadata) file |
| .vmsn | vmname.vmsn | Virtual machine memory snapshot file |
| .vswp | vmname.vswp | Virtual machine swap file |
| .vmss | vmname.vmss | Virtual machine suspend file |
| .log | vmware.log | Current virtual machine log file |
| -#.log | vmware-#.log (where # is a number starting with 1) | Old virtual machine log files |
Additional files are created when you perform certain tasks with the virtual machine.
- A .hlog file is a log file that is used by vCenter Server to keep track of virtual machine files that must be removed after a certain operation completes.
- A .vmtx file is created when you convert a virtual machine to a template. The .vmtx file replaces the virtual machine configuration file (.vmx file).
