Turns out that VMware shared folders in VMware workstation can access network shares (e.g. UNC paths) and network drives mapped on your host (main) computer. This can be really handy if you want to access a network share but can’t work out/be bothered setting it up in the VM (e.g for installing software). Simply add the folder and point to the appropriate network share.

It’s nice when something useful that should work, actually does work…