Adding and Removing Devices

Adding new devices to a virtual machine is easier than connecting new devices to a real computer. Removing or disconnecting devices is also easy. The following types of virtual devices can be added to the configuration or removed from it:

• Hard drive

• Optical drive

• Network adapter

• Printer port

• Serial port

• TPM chip

Note: Any aforementioned devices can only be added to the corresponding virtual machine when it is stopped. The Add becomes disabled when the virtual machine is running.

Adding a New Device to a Virtual Machine

1. Choose Configure from the Actions menu to open Virtual Machine Configuration.

2. Click the Hardware button at the top of the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog to open the pane for editing hardware devices.

3. Click the Add button (+) in the bottom part of the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog and select the device to be added to your virtual machine.

4. If you select any device except for a hard disk, the corresponding device with a typical configuration is added at once and ready for use.

   If you selected a hard disk, you should specify some parameters:

   • The hard disk type: a new image file, an existing image file, or a physical disk. Select Boot Camp if you want to add an existing Boot Camp partition as a hard disk to your virtual machine.

   • If you're adding an existing image file, provide the path to it on your Mac. If you're adding Boot Camp or a physical disk, specify its location.

   • The hard disk size for the new hard disk image file. Click OK to add the hard disk. After you add a new virtual hard disk to the virtual machine configuration, it will be invisible to the operating system installed inside the virtual machine until the moment you initialize it. For detailed information on how to initialize the newly added hard disk, please refer to the documentation and help resources of the operating system installed in your virtual machine.

After the new device is added, you can manage its properties as usual and start using it.

Removing Devices from the Virtual Machine Configuration

1. Choose Configure from the Actions menu to open Virtual Machine Configuration.

2. Click the Hardware button at the top of the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog to open the pane for editing hardware devices.

3. Select the device you want to remove and click the Remove button (-) in the bottom part of the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog.