# Create a virtual file system

Data Mover provides **two different interfaces** for creating a Virtual File System (VFS). Both methods ultimately open the **New Virtual File System** window, where you define the VFS name, assignment, and configuration.

### **Create a VFS from Setup** → **Virtual File Systems** → **New**

This method creates an unassigned VFS (later bindable to Actors):

1. Navigate to **Setup** → **Virtual File Systems**.
2. Click the **NEW** button.
3. Fill in the fields in the **New Virtual File System** window to complete the creation.

### **Create a VFS from Actor** → **VFS Tab** → **New**

This method creates a VFS and automatically associates it with the selected Actor:

1. Open **Actors** and select the desired Actor.
2. Go to the **VFS** tab.
3. Click **NEW** to create a VFS that will be automatically assigned to the selected Actor.
4. Complete the **New Virtual File System** window.

### **New Virtual File System** window fields

These are the fields of the **New Virtual File System** window:

* **Name** **(\*)**: enter the name of the Virtual File System.
* **Description (\*)**: enter a description for the Virtual File System.
* **Select storage class (\*)**: choose the **Storage Class** that defines how and where the files stored in this Virtual File System will be physically managed. For details, refer to the [Storage Classes](/data-mover-1.21/virtual-file-systems/storage-classes.md) page. 
* **Select retention class** **(\*)**: choose the **Retention Class** that determines how long files in this Virtual File System must be retained. For more information, see the [Retention Classes](/data-mover-1.21/virtual-file-systems/retention-classes.md) page. 
* **Assign to Actor**: select the **Actor** that will have access to the Virtual File System by clicking **ADD**. If no Actor is selected, the Virtual File System will be assigned to the **Company** by default.
* **Assign to Group**: select the **Group** whose users will access the Virtual File System by clicking **ADD**. Permissions applied to the Virtual File System depend on the permissions granted to the Group.
* **Limits about folders and files**: these limits override the global limits defined in the [Limits panel](/data-mover-1.21/virtual-file-systems/manage-virtual-file-systems.md#limits-panel) and apply only to the Virtual File System being created or edited.
  * **Max folders**: set the maximum number of folders allowed in this Virtual File System.\
    0=unlimited.
  * **Max nested levels**: define how deep the folder structure can be:
    * 0 = unlimited
    * 1 = only folders directly under the Virtual File System root (no sub‑folders)
    * 2 = folders under the root can have one level of sub‑folders
    * … and so on
  * **Max total file count**: set the maximum number of files that can exist in this Virtual File System. This value represents the **sum of all files** across all Virtual Paths in the Virtual File System.
  * **Max total file size**: set the maximum total size of all files stored in the Virtual File System. You can choose among **KB**, **MB**, **GB**, or **TB**.
* **Enable ACL**: choose whether the Virtual File System and its Virtual Paths require explicit access control:
  * **OFF** (default): ACLs are disabled. All users and groups can access the Virtual File System without restrictions.
  * **ON**: ACLs are enabled. Access must be explicitly granted to each user or group at a later stage.

{% hint style="danger" %}
This setting is **permanent**. Once ACLs are enabled, the option **cannot be changed later**.
{% endhint %}

Click **SAVE** to create the Virtual File System.

The new Virtual File System will appear in the result list, sorted by **Name** or **Actor**, together with any existing entries.

Click the **VFS name** in the list to open it and configure its Virtual Paths and advanced options.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.primeur.com/data-mover-1.21/virtual-file-systems/create-a-virtual-file-system.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.