sharing external hard drive between Win 7 and 8

t-4-2

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Not sure which forum is for this question.

Guest OS - Windows 8 in VMware Player
Host OS - Windows 7.

I have an external hardrive containing almost all my files. I leave the C drive pretty empty.

Right now, if I were on VMare player, my ext. hard drive was grayed-out. I would have to Connect (disconnect from host).

Is there a better way so that I can switch back and forth from the 2 OS and still use the hard drive automatically ?

Thank you.

t-4-2
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 7741Z
Hi there

Simple

On the HOST set the C drive properties to shared and the share name such as VOLC and ensure you give yourself the read / write access etc you want. Ensure that Networking is enabled in your VM.

Now in the VM you should be able to see the Host computer with a C drive .

If you don't see it then you'll have to mount it manually in the VM via windows explorer.====> Mount network drive

when you get the prompt enter \\Hostname\VOLC

If the HOSTNAME can't be resolved then enter the IP address of the Host (use ipconfig to do this)

Some networks are fussy so you might have to try any combination of NAT, BRIDGED or HOST ONLY networking on your VM --just trial and error it.

You might also have to re-boot the VM especially if it's XP -- sometimes XP has a real problem with Network mapping.

BTW you can do this in REVERSE as well == you can share your VM's Virtual drives with your host machine --just do the same as above (you can even share any External Network drives that the VM is attached to as well if you can set these as shareable --in the VM).

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Sorry.
Nothing works... direct, reversed, mapping network drive.

I give up. Win 8 is just a " curiosity " to me. I'll stay with Win 7.

Thank you for the instructions.

t-4-2
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 7741Z
Hi there
don't give up so easily -- or is this a "Generational thing" -- if it doesn't work immediately then we're stuffed'.

Screenshots enc screen shot of how the W2003 Server VM sees it as a network drive

It REALLY is that simple.

I'd hate to be in an actionable situation with a load of youngsters who just give up at the first hurdle.

(Modern educational systems are to blame for that I suppose but if you spend just a TEENY bit more effort it will work !!).



1) VM looking at HOST DRIVE volume C
2) Host drive volume C data directories so you can see VM is getting whole directory.


cheers
jimbo
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 7741Z
Image 30.png

Finally, the Insert Image button allows me to browse to my desktop. Above is the screenshot I intended to post.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 7741Z
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