vmware vmem file delete: vm is hanging, won’t shutdown, won’t startup or restart

the issue: you’re running vmware fusion and your vm is hanging — won’t shutdown, won’t startup or restart

the vmem file is the virtual machine’s paging file, which backs up the guest main memory on the host file system. This file exists only when the virtual machine is running, or if the virtual machine has crashed.

Each snapshot of a virtual machine that is powered on has an associated .vmem file, which contains the guest’s main memory, saved as part of the snapshot.

sometimes you need to delete this file if you have problems shutting down the vm or other weird things like that.
need to delete the vmem file? sure:

1. go to the file for the virtual machine in question

2. for example:

   /users/yourname/Documents/Virtual Machines/Windows XP Professional 

3. right click the file and click “show package contents”

4. fine the .vmem file

5. trash the vmem file then open the Activity Monitor and force close the process “vmware-vmx” and “VMWare Fusion”

6. note: you may need to change the “Show” drop-down to “All Processes”
   if you are unable to trash the file because some other process is using it then you should restart your computer and attempt to trash it after that — sometimes the restart can actually remove the file for you :)

7. empty your trash and load up VMWare again