Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteSome links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Yes—you can use haneWIN NFS Server on Windows as an NFS 3 datastore target for VMware ESXi. Install the haneWIN service and PortMap daemon, export a local NTFS folder to the ESXi VMkernel IP, allow the required traffic through Windows Firewall, and add the export as an NFS 3 datastore. This is a practical arrangement for labs, ISO repositories, backups, and temporary test VMs—not a replacement for redundant, vendor-supported production storage.
What you need
- Windows 7, Windows 10, or Windows 11 with administrator access. Windows 7 is obsolete and should be limited to isolated laboratory use.
- The current haneWIN NFS Server installer. The product page currently lists version 1.2.69; verify the version before downloading at hanewin.net/nfs-e.htm.
- A fixed or DHCP-reserved IP address for the Windows computer.
- A local NTFS directory, for example
D:ESXi-NFS. - An ESXi VMkernel interface that can route to the Windows IP.
- Firewall rules for haneWIN NFS and PortMap traffic.
- Reliable power, storage, and enough free disk space for the intended workload.
haneWIN documents NFS 2 and NFS 3, with TCP and UDP support. It does not list NFS 4.1, so select NFS 3 in ESXi. NFS 3 also supports 64-bit file offsets, avoiding the 2-GB limitation associated with NFS 2 (haneWIN FAQ).
Install haneWIN NFS Server
- Download the service installer from the official haneWIN product page.
- Run the installer as an administrator.
- Install both NFS Server and the PortMap daemon. PortMap (SunRPC port 111) is involved in mount negotiation.
- Restart Windows if the installer requests it.
- Open the haneWIN NFS Server Control Panel applet using Run as administrator. On Windows 7 and later, opening it without elevation can leave configuration controls disabled or greyed out.
The service installer is preferable to portable mode for an always-on lab server because it can start automatically with Windows. On Windows 11, check haneWIN’s current compatibility notice: its update information says Smart App Control can block the installer and software. Do not casually disable a security control; use an approved deployment method or another NFS server if policy forbids it.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Create a suitable Windows folder
Create the directory before configuring the export:
#1 Best Overall
- Entry-level NAS Personal Storage：UGREEN NAS DH2300 is your first and best NAS made easy. It is designed for beginners who want a simple, private way to store videos, photos and personal files, which is intuitive for users moving from cloud storage or external drives and move away from scattered date across devices. This entry-level NAS 2-bay perfect for personal entertainment, photo storage, and easy data backup (doesn't support Docker or virtual machines).
- Set Your Devices Free, Expand Your Digital World: This unified storage hub supports massive capacity up to 64TB.*Storage drives not included. Stop Deleting, Start Storing. You can store 22 million 3MB images, or 2 million 30MB songs, or 43K 1.5GB movies or 67 million 1MB documents! UGREEN NAS is a better way to free up storage across all your devices such as phones, computers, tablets and also does automatic backups across devices regardless of the operating system—Window, iOS, Android or macOS.
- The Smarter Long-term Way to Store: Unlike cloud storage with recurring monthly fees, a UGREEN NAS enclosure requires only a one-time purchase for long-term use. For example, you only need to pay $459.98 for a NAS, while for cloud storage, you need to pay $719.88 per year, $2,159.64 for 3 years, $3,599.40 for 5 years. You will save $6,738.82 over 10 years with UGREEN NAS! *NAS cost based on DH2300 + 12TB HDD; cloud cost based on 12TB plan (e.g. $59.99/month).
- Blazing Speed, Minimal Power: Equipped with a high-performance processor, 1GbE port, and 4GB RAM on Board, this NAS handles multiple tasks with ease. File transfers reach up to 125MB/s—a 1GB file takes only 8 seconds. Don't let slow clouds hold you back; they often need over 100 seconds for the same task. The difference is clear.
- Let AI Better Organize Your Memories: UGREEN NAS uses AI to tag faces, locations, texts, and objects—so you can effortlessly find any photo by searching for who or what's in it in seconds. It also automatically finds and deletes similar or duplicate photo, backs up live photos and allows you to share them with your friends or family with just one tap. Everything stays effortlessly organized, powered by intelligent tagging and recognition.
D:ESXi-NFSUse a local NTFS volume or ordinary directory. Do not export a mapped drive letter: mapped drives are tied to an interactive user session. If the data is on a remote SMB location, haneWIN’s documentation says to use a UNC path instead. Avoid complicated junction chains, mount-point layouts, or subfolders from other volumes until the basic export works.
Configure the haneWIN export
- Open the haneWIN Control Panel as administrator.
- Go to Exported folders and add an entry.
- Select
D:ESXi-NFS. - Authorize the exact ESXi host IP, or the dedicated storage subnet. For example:
192.168.10.21. - Leave the export writable for VM files. Use read-only for an ISO or reference directory.
- Save the configuration and restart the NFS service if haneWIN requests it.
A conservative single-host export is conceptually:
D:ESXi-NFS 192.168.10.21For another host, add its address explicitly rather than opening the share to every network. haneWIN uses a Unix-like export format but retains Windows directory syntax. Its documented options include -name, -readonly, -alldirs, -i32, and -umask. Enter options through the export editor and confirm the resulting export in haneWIN’s display.
Use the advertised NFS path, not the Windows path
An optional export name can make the remote path clearer, for example:
Recommended Free Tools
-name:ESXi-DatastoreDo not assume that ESXi should receive D:ESXi-NFS. VMware needs the remote NFS export path shown by haneWIN, commonly something like:
/ESXi-DatastoreThe exact path depends on your export configuration. Verify it before opening the ESXi wizard.
Rank #2
- 【Advanced Home Data & Media Hub】For advanced home users who need phone backup, file storage, and centralized data management. Centralize family photos, 4K videos, movies, computer backups, and personal files in one place while running multiple apps for home entertainment and everyday data management. Suitable for households with growing digital libraries and multiple NAS use cases.
- 【Built for Creators, Media Servers & Advanced Apps】Powered by the Intel N100 Quad-Core CPU, 8GB DDR5 RAM, 2.5GbE networking, and dual M.2 NVMe slots, DXP2800 handles large files and heavier workloads with ease. Run Docker, virtual machines, and media server applications compatible with Plex—ideal for content creators, tech enthusiasts, and advanced home users managing 4K videos, RAW photos, personal media libraries, and multiple NAS apps.
- 【Up to 80TB for Growing Digital Libraries】 Supports up to 80TB of storage using two HDD bays and two M.2 NVMe SSD slots for family photos, movies, RAW photos, 4K videos, work files, and device backups. AI photo management supports recognition of people, objects, scenes, and locations, album organization, and duplicate photo detection. HDDs and SSDs are not included.
- 【AI-powered Home Surveillance】Turn DXP2800 into a centralized home surveillance hub by connecting compatible network cameras and storing recordings locally on your NAS. AI-powered features include Face Recognition, People Detection, and Pet Detection, helping advanced home users review important events more efficiently while managing home surveillance and personal data in one place.
- 【One data Center Across Your Devices】Keep files from desktops, laptops, phones, tablets, and other devices together instead of scattered across cloud accounts and external drives. Access, back up, organize, and share data across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web browsers, and compatible smart TVs—ideal for creators and advanced home users working across multiple devices.
Inode and permission options
On supported NTFS volumes, haneWIN can use 64-bit NTFS file IDs as NFS inodes. If a client reports inode-size problems, disable that behavior in the control panel or add -i32. haneWIN’s default Unix-style umask is 022; this is not equivalent to ordinary Windows ACL enforcement.
Allow NFS and PortMap through Windows Firewall
haneWIN supplies a firewall.bat example. This is usually the quickest starting point: apply it, inspect the resulting rules, and restrict their remote addresses to the ESXi hosts or storage VLAN. At minimum, review rules for:
- NFS, normally TCP and UDP 2049.
- PortMap, normally TCP and UDP 111.
- Any additional dynamic mount-related port used by your haneWIN configuration.
Do not assume that opening only 2049 is always sufficient. The exact mount behavior depends on haneWIN settings. You can inspect listeners with:
Get-NetTCPConnection -State Listen
Get-NetUDPEndpointKeep NFS off the public internet. Use a dedicated storage VLAN where possible, apply the correct Windows network profile, and restrict inbound rules to the ESXi VMkernel addresses.
Verify ESXi network reachability
A ping from a guest VM or your workstation does not prove that ESXi can mount the export. NFS traffic uses an ESXi VMkernel interface and its routing. From the ESXi shell, test the intended VMkernel:
Rank #3
- Entry-level NAS Home Storage: The UGREEN NAS DH4300 Plus is an entry-level 4-bay NAS that's ideal for home media and vast private storage you can access from anywhere and also supports Docker but not virtual machines. You can record, store, share happy moment with your families and friends, which is intuitive for users moving from cloud storage, or external drives to create your own private cloud, access files from any device.
- Smart Photo Backup & AI Album: Automatically back up photos and videos from your phone in real time and keep growing family memories organized with AI-powered photo albums. Semantic search, custom learning, and recognition of people, objects, pets, and similar photos help you quickly find the moments you want. Duplicate photo removal also helps keep your library organized—ideal for families and users with large photo collections.
- User-Friendly App & Easy Setup: Connect quickly via NFC, set up simply and share files fast on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, web browsers, and smart TVs. You can access data remotely from any of your mixed devices. What's more, UGREEN NAS enclosure comes with beginner-friendly user manual and video instructions to ensure you can easily take full advantage of its features.
- More Cost-effective Storage Solution: Unlike cloud storage with recurring monthly fees, A UGREEN NAS enclosure requires only a one-time purchase for long-term use. For example, you only need to pay $629.99 for a NAS, while for cloud storage, you need to pay $719.88 per year, $1,439.76 for 2 years, $2,159.64 for 3 years, $7,198.80 for 10 years. You will save $6,568.81 over 10 years with UGREEN NAS! *NAS cost based on DH4300 Plus + 12TB HDD; cloud cost based on 12TB plan (e.g. $59.99/month).
- Your Data, You Control：No third-party clouds, no hidden access, UGREEN NAS provides a more secure and private data storage solution. It stores data locally on your private hard drives and does automatic backups. Thus, you can keep full control over it. The advanced encryption is TRUSTe certified in the United States and is awarded the first (and only) ETSI EN 303 645 certification mark for NAS products by TÜV SÜD Group.
vmkping -I vmk0 192.168.10.10Replace vmk0 and the address with your actual storage VMkernel and Windows NFS IP. If this fails, check VLAN tagging, switch access, uplinks, routing, and VMkernel selection. Broadcom’s ESXi network troubleshooting guidance explains why ordinary host reachability can be misleading.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Add the datastore in vSphere Client
- Sign in to vSphere Client.
- Select the ESXi host or cluster, then open Storage > Datastores.
- Choose New datastore.
- Select NFS and choose NFS 3.
- Enter a datastore name.
- Enter the Windows server IP address or hostname.
- Enter the exported remote folder, including its leading slash.
- Select the hosts that should mount it and complete the wizard.
Example values:
Datastore name: ESXi-Windows-NFS
NFS server: 192.168.10.10
NFS version: NFS 3
Folder: /ESXi-DatastorevSphere 8 continues to support NFS datastores, but haneWIN’s documented protocol support is still NFS 2/3—not NFS 4.1 (Broadcom NFS guidance).
Add it with ESXCLI
For ESXi 7 and 8-style command-line administration:
esxcli storage nfs add
-H 192.168.10.10
-s /ESXi-Datastore
-v ESXi-Windows-NFSHere -H is the server identifier, -s is the exported path, and -v is the local datastore label. Verify the mount:
esxcli storage nfs listTo remove it after migrating or shutting down workloads:
Rank #4
- Value NAS with RAID for centralized storage and backup for all your devices. Check out the LS 700 for enhanced features, cloud capabilities, macOS 26, and up to 7x faster performance than the LS 200.
- Connect the LinkStation to your router and enjoy shared network storage for your devices. The NAS is compatible with Windows and macOS*, and Buffalo's US-based support is on-hand 24/7 for installation walkthroughs. *Only for macOS 15 (Sequoia) and earlier. For macOS 26, check out our LS 700 series.
- Subscription-Free Personal Cloud – Store, back up, and manage all your videos, music, and photos and access them anytime without paying any monthly fees.
- Storage Purpose-Built for Data Security – A NAS designed to keep your data safe, the LS200 features a closed system to reduce vulnerabilities from 3rd party apps and SSL encryption for secure file transfers.
- Back Up Multiple Computers & Devices – NAS Navigator management utility and PC backup software included. NAS Navigator 2 for macOS 15 and earlier. You can set up automated backups of data on your computers.
esxcli storage nfs remove -v ESXi-Windows-NFSNever remove an active datastore without first migrating or stopping its workloads.
Keep mounts consistent across ESXi hosts
For a shared datastore, use the same server identifier everywhere: either the IP address on every host or the same FQDN on every host. Also keep the export path and NFS version identical. Broadcom documents an NFS 3 issue in which mounting the same export by IP on one host and FQDN on another can produce different datastore UUIDs (Broadcom KB).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Verify operation before using real workloads
- Confirm the datastore is mounted in vSphere and with
esxcli storage nfs list. - Create a test folder.
- Upload a small ISO or test file.
- Confirm the file appears in the Windows directory.
- Restart the haneWIN services and repeat the test.
- Reboot Windows and observe recovery before placing important VMs on the datastore.
Troubleshooting by symptom
haneWIN controls are greyed out
Close the applet and relaunch it with Run as administrator.
ESXi can ping Windows but cannot mount
Run vmkping from the correct VMkernel. Then check storage VLANs, routing, Windows Firewall, running haneWIN services, PortMap, and whether the ESXi IP is authorized in the export.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
“Folder not found” or invalid path
Use the NFS path advertised by haneWIN, not D:ESXi-NFS, and include the leading slash. A missing slash is a documented ESXi mount error (Broadcom KB).
Best Value
- Your Personal Streaming Server - Build your own Netflix-style media library and stream 4K movies, shows and photos to any device without monthly fees
- Create Your Own Cloud - Store your entire photo, video and music collection; access from anywhere with fast 282 MB/s transfer speeds
- Creator-Grade Backup Solution - Protect your irreplaceable content with automated backups to cloud services, external drives and remote NAS
- Multi-Layered Data Protection - Combine RAID redundancy, automated backups and snapshot technology to prevent data loss from any cause
- Smart Home Surveillance - Support up to 30 IP cameras with AI detection, instant alerts and secure remote monitoring
PortMap is stopped
Check Windows Services for both the haneWIN NFS service and PortMap daemon. A missing or blocked PortMap service can prevent mount negotiation.
Changes do not take effect
Malformed export syntax, a wrong Windows path, or a required service restart can leave the old configuration active. Restart haneWIN after changing version, port, or related NFS settings.
Reads work but writes fail
Check that the export is not read-only and that the Windows service account can write to the directory. haneWIN documents client identity mapping in which root can become NOBODY; -maproot:0 may resolve specific compatibility cases, but broad root mapping reduces isolation and should be used cautiously.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteFiles fail near 2 GB
Confirm that ESXi is using NFS 3, not NFS 2. NFS 2 uses a 32-bit file offset; NFS 3 supports 64-bit offsets.
Different inode behavior
Try the haneWIN inode compatibility setting or -i32 if a client cannot handle 64-bit inode values.
The datastore disappears after a Windows reboot
The NFS server is unavailable while Windows or its services are starting. Use a UPS, automatic service startup, reliable disks, and recovery testing. Avoid critical production workloads on a desktop-hosted export.
Is haneWIN suitable for production?
Usually no. haneWIN provides an NFS protocol endpoint; it does not add RAID, redundant controllers, replicated storage, enterprise snapshots, multipathing, VAAI integration, or vendor-certified VMware support. A single Windows workstation and disk can fail, reboot, install updates, or lose power. For production, use a storage platform with documented VMware compatibility, redundancy, monitoring, backups, and a tested recovery process.
haneWIN is reasonable for a home lab, VMware training, migration staging, ISO storage, backup targets, non-critical test VMs, or a small environment where reusing an existing Windows machine matters more than resilience. For dedicated storage, consider TrueNAS, a Synology or QNAP appliance, a Linux NFS server using Ubuntu Server, or Windows Server’s native NFS role documented by Microsoft.
Quick Recap
Security and reliability checklist
- Use a reserved or static Windows IP.
- Restrict exports to ESXi VMkernel IPs or a storage VLAN.
- Allow only the required NFS, PortMap, and configured mount traffic.
- Never expose the service directly to the internet.
- Keep Windows and haneWIN patched.
- Use a UPS and automatic service startup.
- Back up the datastore; an export is not a backup by itself.
- Test service restart, Windows reboot, and datastore recovery.
- Do not treat haneWIN’s Unix-style mappings as a substitute for a carefully designed Windows ACL and identity model.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
