When I upgraded my VMware Fusion virtual machine image of Windows Vista to Windows 7, all went
smoothly, except updating its name.
It was still called Windows Vista in the Library. Here's how I changed that annoying little issue.
First, make sure your virtual machine is powered off, not suspended.
Then, find your virtual machines folder, most likely in Documents. Right- or Control-click on the virtual
machine file you want to rename and select "Show Package Contents."
Find the VMX file, right- or Control-click it and open it with Text Edit or your favorite text editor.
Find the line called displayName and change it to the name you want. In my case, "Windows 7." Then
save the file.
Now go launch VMware Fusion. In the library, select the wrongly-named machine and delete it. But
choose "Keep File."
Go back into finder to your virtual machines folder and rename the virtual machine file name to the
correct name.
Now go back to the VMware Library. Choose File. Then Open.
Browse to the newly renamed virtual machine. Select it. When it asks if the VM is moved, select "I
copied it."
Voila! Your VM has a new name.
Pick a good name, OK.
I'm Tom Merritt, CNET.com.
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