What is a .VMEM file?
A .VMEM file is a special kind of computer file used by programs called VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion. These programs let you run a different computer system, like Windows or Linux, inside your current computer. This is like having a computer within a computer, and this setup is called a virtual machine (VM).
When you use VMware Workstation or Fusion to run a virtual machine, it needs a place to store information that the virtual machine is currently using, just like your brain needs to remember what you are doing while you are doing it. The .VMEM file is like the virtual machine's short-term memory. It keeps a backup of everything the virtual machine is "thinking about" while it's running. This file is automatically made by the VMware software and is the same size as the memory the virtual machine is allowed to use.
You can find the .VMEM file in a specific place on your computer that is related to where the virtual machine is stored. For example, if you are using VMware Fusion on a Mac, the .VMEM file is inside the .VMWAREVM file of the running virtual machine, usually located in the "Virtual Machines" folder under your user directory.
However, it's important to know that .VMEM files are not meant to be opened or used by you directly. They are for the VMware software to use as it runs the virtual machine. If you see a .VMEM file, it's usually because the virtual machine is currently running or it didn't shut down properly, like if the program crashed.
If you come across a .VMEM file and you're sure you don't need it (for example, if the virtual machine it belongs to is no longer running or needed), you can delete it to free up space on your computer. But, be careful not to delete files unless you're sure they're not needed, as it could affect the virtual machine's ability to run correctly next time.
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