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How to Copy Files from Windows to VMware Ubuntu
Learn the step-by-step process of transferring files from a Windows host to a VMware Ubuntu virtual machine. This guide provides detailed instructions and useful tips to ensure a seamless file transfer experience.
By Zelia / Updated on August 22, 2024
Why need to copy files from Windows to VM in Ubuntu?
Sometimes, you want to know how to copy file from Windows to VMware Ubuntu due to various purposes, such as
► Development and test: Some developers may use Windows as the primary system but need to test or develop software in a Linux environment. In this case, you may need to transfer files like course code, scripts, or configuration files to an Unbun virtual machine.
► Use Linux-specific software: Some software or tools only run on Linux. Users might need to transfer files from Windows to use these tools on their Ubuntu VM.
► Lightweight VM usage: Running an Ubuntu VM can be resource-efficient, especially when the primary OS is resource-heavy.
Anyway, if you need to copy and paste file from Windows to VMware Unbuntu, you can use the following 3 methods in this article.
Method 1. Copy from Windows to Unbuntu VM via Shared folder
One of the most convenient methods for transferring files between Windows and VMware Ubuntu is to use shared folders. Shared folders provide a simple and efficient way to exchange files between the host and virtual machine. To enable shared folders, follow these steps:
Step 1. In the VMware menu, navigate to "VM" and select "Settings."
Step 2. Go to the "Options" tab and click on "Shared Folders."
Step 3. Add a new shared folder and specify the Windows folder you want to share.
Step 4. Access the shared folder within VMware Ubuntu through the /mnt/hgfs directory.
By utilizing shared folders, you can easily copy files from Windows to VMware Ubuntu and vice versa.
Method 2. Copy file from Windows to VMware Ubuntu
You can also use the drag-and-drop functionality provided by VMware Tools to copy files. This feature allows you to seamlessly drag files from your Windows host system and drop them into the VMware Ubuntu virtual machine. To enable drag-and-drop functionality, follow these steps:
Step 1. Install VMware Tools within the VMware Ubuntu virtual machine, if not already installed.
Step 2. In the VMware menu, go to "VM" and select "Settings."
Step 3. Navigate to the "Options" tab and click on "Guest Isolation."
Step 4. Check the "Enable drag and drop" option and choose the desired direction (from guest to host, from host to guest, or both).
Step 5. Save the changes by clicking "OK."
With drag-and-drop enabled, you can effortlessly transfer files between Windows and VMware Ubuntu by simply dragging and dropping them. This method offers a user-friendly and intuitive approach to file transfer.
Method 3. Transfer files to Linux Ubuntu via the Command Line
For users comfortable with the command-line interface, transferring files from Windows to VMware Ubuntu can be accomplished using command-line tools. The "scp" command (secure copy) allows you to securely copy files between systems over a network.
Here are the steps of how to copy file from Windows to VMware Ubuntu via the command line:
1. Open the Command Prompt or PowerShell in your Windows host system.
2. Use the "cd" command to navigate to the directory containing the file you want to transfer.
3. Use the "scp" command to copy the file to the VMware Ubuntu virtual machine, specifying the destination path.
Example: scp file.txt user@VM_IP:/home/user/destination_folder
Replace "file.txt" with the actual file name, and "user@VM_IP" with the appropriate username and IP address of the VMware Ubuntu virtual machine. During the transfer process, you may need to provide the user's password for authentication.
Additional Tips for Seamless VMware VMs Backup – AOMEI Cyber Backup
Apart from the methods mentioned above, it is essential to ensure the backup and restoration of your VMware virtual machines to prevent data loss. To protect your VM easily, you can use AOMEI Cyber Backup. It is a robust and easy-to-use VM backup solution that can be run on Windows and Linux. This software enables you to centrally backup all VMware and Hyper-V virtual machines and quickly restore them whenever you need.
Main features of AOMEI Cyber Backup:
• Automated backup: "Set-and-forget" workflow. Set up your backup schedule, and it will run backup task automatically at your predetermined time.
• Agentless Backup: Backup all virtual machines without installing agent.
• Multiple Storage Destinations: Support saving backups to a local path, external hard drive, NAS drive, network share, and Amazon S3 storage.
• Restore from Any Point: Support point-in-time recovery. You can Restore entire VM from any backed-up restore points.
Step 1. Launch the AOMEI Cyber Backup web client, navigate to "Source Device" > "VMware" > "+ Add VMware Device". You can enter a vCenter or Standalone ESXi host information to add all related VMs > Click "Confirm".
Step 2. Navigate to "Backup Task" > "+ Create New Task", choose VMware Backup as the backup type, then configure "Backup Name", "Backup Target", "Schedule" and other settings according to your need.
Step 3. Now you can click "Start Backup" to commit and execute the backup task.
Conclusion
This article demonstrates how to copy file from Windows to VMware Ubuntu. You can utilize shared folders, drag-and-drop functionality, or using the command line archive file transfer task. Additionally, It is necessary to backup important VM data to ensure business safeguards. AOMEI Cyber Bakcup can help you. You can use this tool to easily and centrally backup all VMware and Hyper-V virtual machines on Windows or Linux.
