Configure VM to share my PC's drive

[AndyS01]

I would like to configure VB so the VM and my PC share the contents of my PC's C drive. I've search the forums and I see some that look like what I want, but I can't get enough detailed instructions to configure VM. How can I configure VM?

[mpack]

A VM cannot share a drive that is already being used by your host OS.

Configure shared folders instead. See the user manual chapter 3 for how.

[AndyS01]

OK, I read the doc and I guess I will have to use a mapped network drive or a shared folder, but I get errors trying to make a connection.

Here is my network info:

my PC Network adaptors
Atheros AR9485 Wireless Network Adaptor
Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adaptor
Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
VirtualBox Host-only Ethernet Adaptor

my VM Network adaptor
AMD PCNET Family PCI Ethernet Adaptor

On my PC (with my VM not running), I ran this command:
VBoxManage sharedfolder add "XP_on_my_laptop" --name "VMD" --hostpath "C:\Util\temp"

I get this error:
VBoxManage.exe: error: The machine is not mutable (state is Saved)
VBoxManage.exe: error: Details: code VBOX_E_INVALID_VM_STATE (0x80bb0002), component SessionMachine, interface IMachine, callee IUnknown
VBoxManage.exe: error: Context: "CreateSharedFolder(Bstr(name).raw(), Bstr(hostpath).raw(), fWritable, fAutoMount)" at line 978 of file VBoxManageMisc.cpp

I launched VM, then, on my PC, I ran the VBoxManage command again:

I got this error:
VBoxManage.exe: error: The machine 'XP_on_my_laptop' is already locked for a session (or being unlocked)
VBoxManage.exe: error: Details: code VBOX_E_INVALID_OBJECT_STATE (0x80bb0007), component Machine, interface IMachine, callee IUnknown
VBoxManage.exe: error: Context: "LockMachine(a->session, LockType_Write)" at line 971 of file VBoxManageMisc.cpp

[mpack]

Shut the VM down, then use the GUI to configure shared folders. You also need to install the Guest Additions (chapter 4).

Also, please read Minimum information needed for assistance, as a log file will no doubt save a great deal of back and forth.

[AndyS01]

I found what I was looking for: I mapped a network drive to \\vboxsrv\<some directory> and I was able to share files.

Thank you.