# VMware backup is missing some files

## Issue

> **VMware** backup is missing files and/or folders.

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## Cause

If your **VMware** backup ends with warnings, the task details may indicate that one or more files failed to back up. Permissions for the **Datastore Browser** are managed by the **vCenter** server — in some cases, access to the **Datastore Browser** may be disabled for security reasons or to prevent users from accessing core virtual machine files and folders stored on the datastores.

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## Resolution

Enable the **Datastore Browser** feature: 

1. Stop the **VirtualCenter Server** service.
2. Back up the configuration file:
   1. For **Windows vCenter Server:** `C:\ProgramData\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter\vpxd.cfg`
   2. For **vCenter Server Appliance:** `/etc/vmware-vpx/vpxd.cfg`

{% hint style="warning" %}
Optionally, create a snapshot of the **vSphere** server VM to enable restoration in case of a failure.
{% endhint %}

3. Open the **vpxd.cfg** file in a text editor.
4. Locate the `<vpxd>` tags and add the following entry within them:

   ```xml
   <enableHttpDatastoreAccess>true</enableHttpDatastoreAccess>
   ```
5. Save the changes.
6. Start the **VirtualCenter Server** service.
7. You should now be able to back up the previously problematic files.