Turn on Shared Folders for VMWare Fusion

Question

How can I access my local Macintosh hard drive from within my VMware Windows XP image? I want to access files on my Desktop or in my Documents directory, amongst other places. For example, I need to open a BrioQuery file that I've saved on my Mac.

Answer

These instructions pertain to turning on Shared Folders, in a Windows XP VMware image, installed on Macintosh. The instructions detail adding a shortcut to the user's home directory on the Macintosh, as well as the user's Macintosh desktop.

1. Follow the menu path Virtual Machine > Settings
2. From the panel on the left, select Shared Folders
3. Place a check next to Enabled, and Enabled at Power On.
4. Under the left hand panel, select the plus sign, then select Add Shared Folder.
5. To add a Shared folder
   • for the user's home directory on the Macintosh:
     1. Select Enabled.
     2. Add user home as the Name of the shared folder.
     3. In the drop-down menu for path, leave the default value, with the home icon and your username.
     4. Select Apply.
   • for your Macintosh desktop:
     1. Select Enabled.
     2. Add user home as the Name of the shared folder.
     3. In the drop-down menu for Path, select Choose.
     4. In the dialog box that opens, select the Desktop icon in the left-hand panel, then press Open.
        Result: The drop-down menu for Path reflects Desktop.
     5. Select OK to close the Settings dialog box.
6. Create a shortcut to the shared folders on your Windows image desktop:
   1. Navigate to Start > My Computer. You should see a mapped drive, with a drive letter, such as: Shared folders on '.host' (Z:)
   2. Right click on each shared folder name, and select Create Shortcut.
      Result: A message pops up:

      Windows cannot create the shortcut here.
      Do you want the shortcut to be created on your desktop instead?

   3. Select Yes.
      Result: Shortcuts to your shared folders, used for accessing your local Macintosh, appear on the Windows desktop.