This virtual machine appears to be in use in VMware Workstation - How To Fix Take Ownership Error ✅

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👉 Are you seeing the “This virtual machine appears to be in use” error in VMware Workstation and can’t start your virtual machine? In this video, I’ll show you how to fix this VMware error step by step and get your VM running again.

This problem commonly appears after a Windows system crash, Blue Screen error (CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT), forced shutdown, or when VMware is closed unexpectedly. In many cases, VMware thinks the virtual machine is still running even though it isn’t, and you’ll need to solve the ownership and lock file issue properly.

You may encounter messages like:

This virtual machine appears to be in use.
If this virtual machine is not in use, press the Take Ownership button to obtain ownership of it.
Otherwise, press Cancel to avoid damaging it.
Configuration file: C:\VMs\.123.vmx

This tutorial also helps you repair virtual machines that fail to start after upgrading VMware Workstation Pro (for example from version 17.5.2 to 17.6). Some users see the “Failed to start the virtual machine” error due to unsupported VMX variables, which we safely correct in this guide.

If VMware cannot open your VM, this video explains how to remove leftover lock files, restore missing virtual machines, and safely access your VM without data loss. By following these steps, you can finally get rid of the “virtual machine appears to be in use” message for good.

✔️ Works on:

All VMware Workstation versions and editions
(VMware Workstation Pro, Player, 12, 15, 16, 17, 17.5, 17.6, and older)

All Windows versions: Windows 11 / 10 / 8 / 7 (all editions)

Laptop, PC, desktop, and computer

💻 Compatible with most laptop & PC brands:

Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, MSI, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony VAIO, LG, Microsoft Surface, Huawei, Razer, Fujitsu, Gigabyte, Alienware, and more.

This step-by-step guide is ideal if VMware says your virtual machine is already running when it’s not, or if clicking Take Ownership doesn’t work. Follow the full tutorial to safely restore your VM and prevent this error from happening again.


⏱ Timestamps / Chapters
0:00 – Intro
0:10 - How to fix the “This virtual machine appears to be in use” error in VMware Workstation
1:42 - More VMware Suggested Videos

📺 More Related Videos

▶️ VMware + Virtualbox Tutorials : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFStktVg2e4kpFLbmz4Lv_rHeYXRtnwmF
▶️ Windows 11 Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFStktVg2e4lzGCbhRYBPhCB8vFncdToj
▶️ Windows 10 Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFStktVg2e4leA44bjCdxOg4u4sGB1ZGQ


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This video is for educational purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976 allows for “fair use” for teaching, comment, research, and more.

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