Question: I am trying to configure a VMware VM to have a non-persistent disk. ?This is as simple as making the disk independent f the VM, and selecting the non-persisent option. ?How do I do this in VMWare fusion?

Answer: For some reason VMware Fusion 5 (Even VMware Fusion 5 Professional) lacks a UI option to create Independent, Persistent VMDKs. But it can easily be done in the .vmx file using a text editor:

VMware documentation about changing disk mode says that the disk must not have any snapshots, so you may need to delete all snapshots. Consider making a backup first

  • Shut down your virtual machine and quit VMware Fusion. (Yes, this is necessary)
  • Locate the Virtual Machine’s package in the Finder. Right click on it and select “Show Package Contents”
  • Locate the .vmx file and open it with a text editor (you can right click and select “Open with > Text Edit”)
  • Search through until you find the line containing name of the virtual disk (vmdk) which you want to make persistent. It should look something like:

    scsi0:1.fileName = “Virtual Disk-000001.vmdk”

    (Though it might be ide0:0, or the bus numbers might be different)

  • Add below that line the following:

    scsi0:1.mode = “independent-nonpersistent”

    Make sure to match the bus description. So if your device is ide0:0 you’d write ide0:0.mode

  • Save the file and relaunch VMware Fusion, you should be good to go.