Why VMware Cannot Scan Local Directories and What to Do About It

Quick Tips

• If you cannot scan a local directory, you may still be able to transfer files or folders into the virtual machine using VMware Workstation’s drag-and-drop or shared-folder features, if they are supported and enabled.
• Windows’ built-in compression tool can create a ZIP archive that may be easier to copy into the virtual machine. Alternatively, you can use an archive utility such as WinRAR.
• Windows’ built-in compression tool can create a ZIP archive that may be easier to copy into the virtual machine. Alternatively, you can use an archive utility such as WinRAR.

In most cases, if VMware Workstation cannot scan local directory, chances are there’s a folder access issue surrounding the file. In rarer cases, the virtual machine itself might not have been set up properly to access your files. When you cannot scan local directory, VMware might be able to overcome this with a few setting changes or by using a different file. Here’s how.

Fix 1 – Cannot Scan Local Directory, VMware Needs Read Access.

In some cases, VMware Workstation may not be able to access a folder because the Windows account lacks the necessary permissions. You can check the folder’s permissions in File Explorer.

Step 1. Find the folder you’re trying to copy from.

Step 2. Right-click on the folder and select “Properties.”

Step 3. Go to the “Security” tab.

Step 4. Find your account’s name. It should have either “Full Control” or both “Write” and “Read” permissions. If not, go to “Edit” and add the permissions.

Step 5. Click on “Apply” to save the changes, close out of the dialogs, and try again.

Fix 2 – Move the Folder Out of Protected Space

In some cases, security settings or file permissions may prevent VMware Workstation from accessing files in protected folders, such as Desktop, or folders managed by OneDrive.

Step 1. Find the folder you’re trying to access.

Step 2. Create a new folder in an accessible location on your C: or D: drive. Name it something you’ll remember, such as “VM Copy” or “VM Backup.”

Step 3. Add the files you’re trying to copy to the new folder.

Step 4. Try to access the new folder from VM Workstation.

Fix 3 – Close All Apps That Might Be Interfering

If another application is using or locking a file you’re trying to copy, it may prevent the file from being accessed or transferred. Closing the application can help rule out this possibility.

Step 1. Open the Task Manager on the host PC.

Step 2. Find any active apps that might be using files that you’re accessing. These could include Office applications, other file-transfer utilities, terminal windows running file operations, or backup and synchronization tools such as OneDrive.

Step 3. Right-click on the apps and select “End task.”

Fix 4 – Create a Zipped Folder

If you can’t drag and drop from the operating system into the virtual machine, a separate zipped folder might work since it doesn’t contain the entire path or branches that VMware can’t parse.

Step 1. Use Windows’ built-in ZIP support or download WinRAR and install it.

Step 2. Right-click the folder you want to copy, open the “WinRAR” submenu, and select “Add to [name].rar.” This creates a RAR archive in the same directory.

Step 3. Copy over the new zipped file to the virtual machine by dragging and dropping.

Fix 5 – Disable Controlled Folder Access

One setting that might override traditional read/write permissions is Microsoft Defender’s “Controlled folder access.” It can block untrusted applications from making changes to files in protected folders, so check whether it has blocked VMware Workstation.

Step 1. Search for “Windows Security” in the search bar or “Settings” and open it.

Step 2. Select “Virus & threat protection.”

Step 3. Scroll down and select “Manage Controlled folder access.”

Step 4. Set the setting to “Off” or select “Allow an app through Controlled folder access,” then add VMware Workstation to the list.