diff --git a/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/ConfigureMappingsStep.vue b/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/ConfigureMappingsStep.vue
index 0cb5370b..561e4dd0 100644
--- a/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/ConfigureMappingsStep.vue
+++ b/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/ConfigureMappingsStep.vue
@@ -7,10 +7,15 @@ import { STORAGE_CLASS, NETWORK_ATTACHMENT } from '@shell/config/types';
 import { useI18n } from '@shell/composables/useI18n';
 import { randomStr } from '@shell/utils/string';
 import { HCI } from '../../types';
+import { VOLUME_MODE, ACCESS_MODE } from '../../config/types';
 import { FORKLIFT_NAMESPACE } from '../../config/harvester-map';
 import { buildNetworkMapEntries, buildStorageMapEntries } from '../../utils/forklift';
 import { isInternalStorageClass } from '../../utils/storage-class';
 import MappingColumn from './MappingColumn.vue';
+import StorageDefaultsModal from './StorageDefaultsModal.vue';
+
+const DEFAULT_VOLUME_MODE = VOLUME_MODE.FILE_SYSTEM;
+const DEFAULT_ACCESS_MODES = [ACCESS_MODE.READ_WRITE_MANY];
 
 const props = defineProps({
   providerName:       { type: String, default: '' },
@@ -35,6 +40,10 @@ const allStorageMaps = ref([]);
 const errors = ref([]);
 const loading = ref(true);
 
+// Storage defaults edit modal state.
+const showStorageDefaultsModal = ref(false);
+const editingStorageEntry = ref(null);
+
 const { networkEntries, storageEntries } = toRefs(props.stepData);
 
 const NAMESPACE = FORKLIFT_NAMESPACE;
@@ -105,7 +114,7 @@ const applyNetworkMapTargets = (mapSpec) => {
   });
 };
 
-const applyStorageMapTargets = (mapSpec) => {
+const applyStorageMapTargets = (mapSpec, { markOverridden = false, captureInherited = false } = {}) => {
   if (!mapSpec) {
     return;
   }
@@ -117,6 +126,30 @@ const applyStorageMapTargets = (mapSpec) => {
 
     if (match?.destination?.storageClass) {
       entry.target = match.destination.storageClass;
+
+      if (captureInherited) {
+        entry.inheritedFromProvider = true;
+      }
+
+      if (match.destination.volumeMode) {
+        entry.volumeMode = match.destination.volumeMode;
+
+        if (captureInherited) {
+          entry.inheritedVolumeMode = match.destination.volumeMode;
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (match.destination.accessMode) {
+        entry.accessModes = [match.destination.accessMode];
+
+        if (captureInherited) {
+          entry.inheritedAccessModes = [match.destination.accessMode];
+        }
+      }
+
+      if (markOverridden) {
+        entry.overridden = true;
+      }
     }
   });
 };
@@ -134,12 +167,39 @@ const applyDefaultStorageMap = () => {
     (sm) => sm.metadata.name === `${ props.providerName }-storage-map-default`
   );
 
-  applyStorageMapTargets(defaultMap?.spec?.map);
+  applyStorageMapTargets(defaultMap?.spec?.map, { captureInherited: true });
 };
 
 const allNetworksMapped = computed(() => networkEntries.value.length > 0 && networkEntries.value.every((e) => !!e.target));
 const allStorageMapped = computed(() => storageEntries.value.length > 0 && storageEntries.value.every((e) => !!e.target));
 
+// The "Inherited from provider" hint only appears in the migration plan wizard
+// (where mappings inherit from the provider default), not on the provider creation page.
+const inheritedProviderName = computed(() => (props.useAllProviderData ? '' : props.providerName));
+
+const openStorageDefaults = (entry) => {
+  editingStorageEntry.value = entry;
+  showStorageDefaultsModal.value = true;
+};
+
+const closeStorageDefaults = () => {
+  showStorageDefaultsModal.value = false;
+  editingStorageEntry.value = null;
+};
+
+const applyStorageDefaults = ({ volumeMode, accessModes }) => {
+  if (editingStorageEntry.value) {
+    editingStorageEntry.value.volumeMode = volumeMode;
+    editingStorageEntry.value.accessModes = accessModes;
+
+    const inheritedVolumeMode = editingStorageEntry.value.inheritedVolumeMode;
+    const inheritedAccessMode = editingStorageEntry.value.inheritedAccessModes?.[0];
+    const selectedAccessMode = accessModes?.[0];
+
+    editingStorageEntry.value.overridden = volumeMode !== inheritedVolumeMode || selectedAccessMode !== inheritedAccessMode;
+  }
+};
+
 const canSave = computed(() => {
   if (props.useAllProviderData) {
     return true;
@@ -202,13 +262,19 @@ const buildStorageEntries = () => {
         if (ds && ds.id) {
           if (!datastoreMap[ds.id]) {
             datastoreMap[ds.id] = {
-              name:     ds.name || t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.generic.unknown'),
-              id:       ds.id,
-              type:     ds.type || '',
-              capacity: 0,
-              target:   '',
-              usedBy:   [],
-              _key:     `stor-${ ds.id }`,
+              name:                  ds.name || t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.generic.unknown'),
+              id:                    ds.id,
+              type:                  ds.type || '',
+              capacity:              0,
+              target:                '',
+              volumeMode:            DEFAULT_VOLUME_MODE,
+              accessModes:           [...DEFAULT_ACCESS_MODES],
+              inheritedVolumeMode:   DEFAULT_VOLUME_MODE,
+              inheritedAccessModes:  [...DEFAULT_ACCESS_MODES],
+              inheritedFromProvider: false,
+              overridden:            false,
+              usedBy:                [],
+              _key:                  `stor-${ ds.id }`,
             };
           }
 
@@ -238,13 +304,19 @@ const buildNetworkEntriesFromProvider = (networksData) => {
 
 const buildStorageEntriesFromProvider = (datastoresData) => {
   storageEntries.value = (Array.isArray(datastoresData) ? datastoresData : []).map((ds) => ({
-    name:     ds.name || ds.id,
-    id:       ds.id || '',
-    type:     ds.type || '',
-    capacity: ds.capacity || 0,
-    target:   '',
-    usedBy:   [],
-    _key:     `stor-${ ds.id || ds.name }`,
+    name:                  ds.name || ds.id,
+    id:                    ds.id || '',
+    type:                  ds.type || '',
+    capacity:              ds.capacity || 0,
+    target:                '',
+    volumeMode:            DEFAULT_VOLUME_MODE,
+    accessModes:           [...DEFAULT_ACCESS_MODES],
+    inheritedVolumeMode:   DEFAULT_VOLUME_MODE,
+    inheritedAccessModes:  [...DEFAULT_ACCESS_MODES],
+    inheritedFromProvider: false,
+    overridden:            false,
+    usedBy:                [],
+    _key:                  `stor-${ ds.id || ds.name }`,
   }));
 };
 
@@ -461,7 +533,7 @@ const init = async() => {
 
   if (!hasExistingStorageTargets) {
     if (props.existingStorageMap?.spec?.map) {
-      applyStorageMapTargets(props.existingStorageMap.spec.map);
+      applyStorageMapTargets(props.existingStorageMap.spec.map, { markOverridden: true });
     } else {
       applyDefaultStorageMap();
     }
@@ -511,6 +583,9 @@ init();
         :placeholder="t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.configureMappings.storageMapping.placeholder')"
         :show-used-by="!useAllProviderData"
         :clearable="useAllProviderData"
+        :show-volume-settings="true"
+        :inherited-provider-name="inheritedProviderName"
+        @edit-defaults="openStorageDefaults"
       >
         <template #source-detail="{ entry }">
           <span
@@ -520,6 +595,19 @@ init();
         </template>
       </MappingColumn>
     </div>
+
+    <StorageDefaultsModal
+      v-if="showStorageDefaultsModal && editingStorageEntry"
+      :storage-class-name="editingStorageEntry.target"
+      :provider-name="providerName"
+      :show-inherited="!!inheritedProviderName"
+      :volume-mode="editingStorageEntry.volumeMode"
+      :access-modes="editingStorageEntry.accessModes"
+      :inherited-volume-mode="editingStorageEntry.inheritedVolumeMode"
+      :inherited-access-modes="editingStorageEntry.inheritedAccessModes"
+      @apply="applyStorageDefaults"
+      @close="closeStorageDefaults"
+    />
   </div>
 </template>
 
diff --git a/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/MappingColumn.vue b/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/MappingColumn.vue
index 3264b757..1e3d7176 100644
--- a/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/MappingColumn.vue
+++ b/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/MappingColumn.vue
@@ -3,20 +3,27 @@ import { useStore } from 'vuex';
 import LabeledSelect from '@shell/components/form/LabeledSelect';
 import { RcItemCard } from '@components/RcItemCard';
 import { useI18n } from '@shell/composables/useI18n';
+import { VOLUME_MODE } from '../../config/types';
 
 const store = useStore();
 const { t } = useI18n(store);
 
 const props = defineProps({
-  title:       { type: String, required: true },
-  description: { type: String, default: '' },
-  entries:     { type: Array, default: () => [] },
-  options:     { type: Array, default: () => [] },
-  placeholder: { type: String, default: '' },
-  showUsedBy:  { type: Boolean, default: false },
-  clearable:   { type: Boolean, default: false },
+  title:                 { type: String, required: true },
+  description:           { type: String, default: '' },
+  entries:               { type: Array, default: () => [] },
+  options:               { type: Array, default: () => [] },
+  placeholder:           { type: String, default: '' },
+  showUsedBy:            { type: Boolean, default: false },
+  clearable:             { type: Boolean, default: false },
+  // Storage-specific: show the volume/access mode defaults row with an Edit action.
+  showVolumeSettings:    { type: Boolean, default: false },
+  // When set, the defaults row shows an "Inherited from provider" hint (migration plan wizard only).
+  inheritedProviderName: { type: String, default: '' },
 });
 
+const emit = defineEmits(['edit-defaults']);
+
 // Only offer "Remove Map" for entries that already have a target selected;
 // entries without a selection just show the regular options.
 const optionsFor = (entry) => {
@@ -38,6 +45,13 @@ const optionsFor = (entry) => {
     ...props.options,
   ];
 };
+
+const formatModes = (entry) => {
+  const volumeMode = entry.volumeMode || VOLUME_MODE.FILE_SYSTEM;
+  const accessModes = (entry.accessModes || []).join(', ');
+
+  return t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.summary', { volumeMode, accessModes });
+};
 </script>
 
 <template>
@@ -87,6 +101,29 @@ const optionsFor = (entry) => {
               />
             </div>
           </div>
+          <div
+            v-if="showVolumeSettings && entry.target"
+            class="storage-defaults-row"
+          >
+            <div class="storage-defaults">
+              <div class="storage-defaults-info">
+                <span class="storage-defaults-summary">{{ formatModes(entry) }}</span>
+                <span
+                  v-if="inheritedProviderName && entry.inheritedFromProvider && !entry.overridden"
+                  class="text-deemphasized storage-defaults-inherited"
+                >
+                  {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.inherited', { provider: inheritedProviderName }) }}
+                </span>
+              </div>
+              <a
+                role="button"
+                class="storage-defaults-edit"
+                @click.prevent="emit('edit-defaults', entry)"
+              >
+                {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.edit') }}
+              </a>
+            </div>
+          </div>
           <div v-if="showUsedBy && entry.usedBy && entry.usedBy.length">
             <span class="used-by">
               {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.generic.usedBy') }} <b>{{ entry.usedBy.join(', ') }}</b>
@@ -173,6 +210,41 @@ const optionsFor = (entry) => {
     line-height: 20px;
   }
 
+  .storage-defaults-row {
+    width: 100%;
+  }
+
+  .storage-defaults {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: space-between;
+    gap: 12px;
+    padding: 8px 12px;
+    border-radius: 4px;
+    background-color: var(--body-bg);
+
+    .storage-defaults-info {
+      display: flex;
+      flex-direction: column;
+      min-width: 0;
+    }
+
+    .storage-defaults-summary {
+      font-size: 13px;
+      line-height: 20px;
+    }
+
+    .storage-defaults-inherited {
+      font-size: 12px;
+      line-height: 18px;
+    }
+
+    .storage-defaults-edit {
+      flex-shrink: 0;
+      cursor: pointer;
+    }
+  }
+
   .bg-light-gray {
     background-color: var(--category-active) !important;
     border: 0;
diff --git a/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/SelectVmsStep.vue b/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/SelectVmsStep.vue
index 6ec93f03..33be7e1d 100644
--- a/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/SelectVmsStep.vue
+++ b/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/SelectVmsStep.vue
@@ -25,8 +25,9 @@ const { discoveredVMs, selectedVMIds, tableRows } = toRefs(props.stepData);
 
 const selectedVMs = ref([]);
 const loading = ref(true);
-const networkMap = ref({});
-const datastoreMap = ref({});
+// Restored from stepData so friendly names survive step navigation / remount.
+const networkMap = ref(props.stepData.networkMap || {});
+const datastoreMap = ref(props.stepData.datastoreMap || {});
 const sortableTableRef = ref(null);
 const allVMsSelected = ref(false);
 const errors = ref([]);
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ const showSelectAllBanner = computed(() => {
 
 const theadElement = computed(() => sortableTableRef.value?.$el?.querySelector('thead'));
 
-const headers = [
+const headers = ref([
   {
     name:     'vmName',
     labelKey: 'harvester.addons.vmMigration.selectVms.columns.vmName',
@@ -139,7 +140,7 @@ const headers = [
     subLabel: t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.generic.identifier'),
     width:    200,
   },
-];
+]);
 
 const buildTableRows = () => {
   return discoveredVMs.value.map((vm) => {
@@ -190,6 +191,7 @@ const buildTableRows = () => {
     return {
       _original:        vm,
       _key:             vm.id || vm.vmId || vm.metadata?.name,
+      selectedSort:     selectedVMIds.value.has(vm.id) ? 0 : 1,
       vmName:           vm.name || vm.metadata?.name || '-',
       vmId:             vm.id || vm.vmId || vm.metadata?.name || '-',
       os:               vm.guestName || vm.guestOS || vm.os || '-',
@@ -239,6 +241,10 @@ const clearSelection = () => {
 
     if (table) {
       table.clearSelection();
+
+      if (typeof table.setPage === 'function') {
+        table.setPage(1);
+      }
     }
   });
 };
@@ -249,6 +255,49 @@ const selectAllVMs = () => {
   selectedVMs.value = discoveredVMs.value.slice();
 };
 
+// Moves currently-selected VMs to the first page(s) and re-checks them.
+const sortSelectedToFront = () => {
+  if (selectedVMIds.value.size === 0) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  tableRows.value.forEach((row) => {
+    row.selectedSort = selectedVMIds.value.has(row._original?.id) ? 0 : 1;
+  });
+
+  headers.value = headers.value.map((h) => (
+    h.name === 'vmName' ? { ...h, sort: ['selectedSort', 'vmName'] } : h
+  ));
+
+  skipNextSelectionEvent = true;
+
+  nextTick(() => {
+    const table = sortableTableRef.value;
+
+    if (!table) {
+      skipNextSelectionEvent = false;
+
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (typeof table.changeSort === 'function') {
+      table.changeSort('vmName', false);
+    } else if (typeof table.setPage === 'function') {
+      table.setPage(1);
+    }
+
+    nextTick(() => {
+      const rowsToReselect = (table.pagedRows || []).filter((row) => selectedVMIds.value.has(row._original?.id));
+
+      if (rowsToReselect.length > 0) {
+        table.update(rowsToReselect, []);
+      }
+
+      skipNextSelectionEvent = false;
+    });
+  });
+};
+
 watch(
   () => sortableTableRef.value?.page,
   () => {
@@ -318,6 +367,9 @@ const fetchVMs = async() => {
     return map;
   }, {});
 
+  props.stepData.networkMap = networkMap.value;
+  props.stepData.datastoreMap = datastoreMap.value;
+
   lastFetchedAt.value = Date.now();
   tableRows.value = buildTableRows();
 };
@@ -374,6 +426,10 @@ const init = async() => {
     tableRows.value = buildTableRows();
     loading.value = false;
 
+    // Returning to the step with an existing selection: bring selected VMs forward and re-check them.
+    await nextTick();
+    sortSelectedToFront();
+
     return;
   }
 
@@ -441,7 +497,6 @@ init();
       :row-actions="false"
       :groupable="false"
       :paging="true"
-      :rows-per-page="20"
       key-field="_key"
       @selection="onSelect"
     >
@@ -450,7 +505,20 @@ init();
           <h3 class="m-0">
             {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.selectVms.availableVms') }}
           </h3>
-          <span class="text-deemphasized">{{ selectedCount }} {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.selectVms.selected') }}</span>
+          <span class="selected-actions">
+            <span class="text-deemphasized">
+              {{ selectedCount }} {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.selectVms.selected') }}
+            </span>
+            <template v-if="selectedCount > 0">
+              <span class="text-deemphasized">|</span>
+              <a
+                role="button"
+                @click.prevent="clearSelection"
+              >
+                {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.selectVms.clearAll') }}
+              </a>
+            </template>
+          </span>
         </div>
       </template>
       <template #cell:vmName="{ row }">
@@ -466,7 +534,7 @@ init();
       <template #cell:powerState="{ row }">
         <BadgeState
           :label="row.powerState"
-          :color="row.powerStateClass === 'power-on' ? 'bg-warning' : 'bg-darker'"
+          :color="row.powerStateClass === 'power-on' ? 'bg-success' : 'bg-darker'"
         />
       </template>
       <template #cell:network="{ row }">
@@ -533,6 +601,23 @@ init();
     .text-deemphasized {
       font-size: 13px;
     }
+
+    .selected-actions {
+      display: flex;
+      align-items: center;
+      gap: 8px;
+      font-size: 13px;
+
+      a {
+        cursor: pointer;
+
+        &.disabled {
+          color: var(--muted);
+          cursor: default;
+          pointer-events: none;
+        }
+      }
+    }
   }
 
   .vm-name-cell {
diff --git a/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/StorageDefaultsModal.vue b/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/StorageDefaultsModal.vue
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3226834c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/StorageDefaultsModal.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+<script setup>
+import { ref } from 'vue';
+import { useStore } from 'vuex';
+import { Card } from '@components/Card';
+import LabeledSelect from '@shell/components/form/LabeledSelect';
+import AppModal from '@shell/components/AppModal';
+import { useI18n } from '@shell/composables/useI18n';
+import { VOLUME_MODE, ACCESS_MODE } from '../../config/types';
+
+const VOLUME_MODE_OPTIONS = [VOLUME_MODE.FILE_SYSTEM, VOLUME_MODE.BLOCK];
+const ACCESS_MODE_OPTIONS = [ACCESS_MODE.READ_WRITE_ONCE, ACCESS_MODE.READ_WRITE_MANY, ACCESS_MODE.READ_ONLY_MANY];
+
+const props = defineProps({
+  storageClassName:     { type: String, default: '' },
+  providerName:         { type: String, default: '' },
+  showInherited:        { type: Boolean, default: false },
+  volumeMode:           { type: String, default: VOLUME_MODE.FILE_SYSTEM },
+  accessModes:          { type: Array, default: () => [ACCESS_MODE.READ_WRITE_MANY] },
+  inheritedVolumeMode:  { type: String, default: VOLUME_MODE.FILE_SYSTEM },
+  inheritedAccessModes: { type: Array, default: () => [ACCESS_MODE.READ_WRITE_MANY] },
+});
+
+const emit = defineEmits(['apply', 'close']);
+
+const store = useStore();
+const { t } = useI18n(store);
+
+const localVolumeMode = ref(props.volumeMode || VOLUME_MODE.FILE_SYSTEM);
+const localAccessMode = ref(props.accessModes?.[0] || ACCESS_MODE.READ_WRITE_MANY);
+
+const volumeModeOptions = VOLUME_MODE_OPTIONS.map((value) => ({ label: value, value }));
+const accessModeOptions = ACCESS_MODE_OPTIONS.map((value) => ({ label: value, value }));
+
+const apply = () => {
+  emit('apply', {
+    volumeMode:  localVolumeMode.value,
+    accessModes: [localAccessMode.value],
+  });
+  emit('close');
+};
+
+// Repopulate the dropdowns with the provider default values; the user then applies.
+const reset = () => {
+  localVolumeMode.value = props.inheritedVolumeMode || VOLUME_MODE.FILE_SYSTEM;
+  localAccessMode.value = props.inheritedAccessModes?.[0] || ACCESS_MODE.READ_WRITE_MANY;
+};
+
+const cancel = () => {
+  emit('close');
+};
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <app-modal
+    class="storage-defaults-modal"
+    name="storageDefaultsDialog"
+    :width="620"
+    height="auto"
+    :click-to-close="false"
+    @close="cancel"
+  >
+    <Card
+      class="storage-defaults-card"
+      :show-highlight-border="false"
+    >
+      <template #title>
+        <h4 class="text-default-text">
+          {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.title', { name: storageClassName }) }}
+        </h4>
+      </template>
+
+      <template #body>
+        <p class="text-deemphasized description">
+          <template v-if="showInherited">
+            {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.descriptionInherited', { name: storageClassName, provider: providerName }) }}
+          </template>
+          <template v-else>
+            {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.description', { name: storageClassName }) }}
+          </template>
+        </p>
+
+        <div class="settings-box">
+          <LabeledSelect
+            v-model:value="localVolumeMode"
+            class="volume-mode"
+            :label="t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.volumeMode')"
+            :options="volumeModeOptions"
+            :searchable="false"
+            :clearable="false"
+          />
+
+          <LabeledSelect
+            v-model:value="localAccessMode"
+            class="access-mode"
+            :label="t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.accessMode')"
+            :options="accessModeOptions"
+            :searchable="false"
+            :clearable="false"
+          />
+        </div>
+      </template>
+
+      <template #actions>
+        <div class="buttons">
+          <button
+            class="btn role-secondary"
+            @click="cancel"
+          >
+            {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.cancel') }}
+          </button>
+          <div class="right-buttons">
+            <button
+              v-if="showInherited"
+              class="btn role-secondary mr-10"
+              @click="reset"
+            >
+              {{ t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.resetToProviderDefault') }}
+            </button>
+            <button
+              class="btn role-primary"
+              :disabled="!localAccessMode"
+              @click="apply"
+            >
+              {{ showInherited ? t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.applyOverride') : t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.storageDefaults.apply') }}
+            </button>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </template>
+    </Card>
+  </app-modal>
+</template>
+
+<style lang="scss" scoped>
+  .storage-defaults-modal {
+    z-index: 45;
+  }
+
+  .storage-defaults-card {
+    margin: 0;
+    padding: 20px;
+  }
+
+  .description {
+    margin-bottom: 16px;
+    line-height: 20px;
+  }
+
+  .settings-box {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 20px;
+    padding: 16px;
+    border-radius: 6px;
+    background-color: var(--category-active);
+  }
+
+  .volume-mode {
+    max-width: 280px;
+  }
+
+  .access-mode {
+    max-width: 280px;
+  }
+
+  .buttons {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: space-between;
+    width: 100%;
+
+    .right-buttons {
+      display: flex;
+    }
+  }
+</style>
diff --git a/pkg/harvester/l10n/en-us.yaml b/pkg/harvester/l10n/en-us.yaml
index 5e2e4417..f4cdd073 100644
--- a/pkg/harvester/l10n/en-us.yaml
+++ b/pkg/harvester/l10n/en-us.yaml
@@ -1922,6 +1922,7 @@ harvester:
         refreshNow: Refresh now
         availableVms: Available Virtual Machines
         selected: selected
+        clearAll: Clear All
         saveSelection: Save Selection and Continue
         selectAllBanner:
           pageOnly: "Your current selection includes only VMs currently shown on the page."
@@ -1982,6 +1983,19 @@ harvester:
           description: Map VMware datastores to Harvester storage classes
           placeholder: Choose a Harvester Storage Class
           template: Use existing storage mapping as template
+      storageDefaults:
+        title: 'Storage defaults — {name}'
+        description: 'Set the volume mode and access modes applied to every datastore in this storage map that maps to {name}.'
+        descriptionInherited: 'Applies to every datastore in this storage map that maps to {name}. The provider default for {provider} stays unchanged.'
+        summary: 'Volume mode: {volumeMode} · Access mode: {accessModes}'
+        inherited: 'Inherited from provider {provider}'
+        volumeMode: Volume Mode
+        accessMode: Access Mode
+        edit: Edit
+        cancel: Cancel
+        apply: Apply
+        resetToProviderDefault: Reset to Provider Default
+        applyOverride: Apply Override
       reviewMigration:
         title: Review Migration Plan
         description: Confirm your migration settings before starting the transfer of VMs to the target cluster.
diff --git a/pkg/harvester/pages/c/_cluster/vm-migration/provider-wizard.vue b/pkg/harvester/pages/c/_cluster/vm-migration/provider-wizard.vue
index 196453c4..2790424e 100644
--- a/pkg/harvester/pages/c/_cluster/vm-migration/provider-wizard.vue
+++ b/pkg/harvester/pages/c/_cluster/vm-migration/provider-wizard.vue
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import CruResource from '@shell/components/CruResource';
 import Loading from '@shell/components/Loading';
 import { SECRET } from '@shell/config/types';
 import { useI18n } from '@shell/composables/useI18n';
+import { exceptionToErrorsArray, stringify } from '@shell/utils/error';
 import ConfigureProviderStep from '@pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/ConfigureProviderStep.vue';
 import ConfigureMappingsStep from '@pkg/harvester/components/vm-migration/ConfigureMappingsStep.vue';
 import { PRODUCT_NAME } from '@pkg/harvester/config/harvester';
@@ -163,7 +164,7 @@ const onFinish = async(buttonCb) => {
     buttonCb(true);
     currentRouter().push(providerListLocation);
   } catch (err) {
-    errors.value = [err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err)];
+    errors.value = exceptionToErrorsArray(err).map((e) => (typeof e === 'string' ? e : stringify(e)));
     buttonCb(false);
   }
 };
@@ -233,7 +234,7 @@ const init = async() => {
       // Maps may not exist yet
     }
   } catch (err) {
-    errors.value = [t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.errors.failedLoadProvider', { error: err.message || err })];
+    errors.value = [t('harvester.addons.vmMigration.errors.failedLoadProvider', { error: err.message || stringify(err) })];
   }
 
   initialLoading.value = false;
diff --git a/pkg/harvester/utils/dynamic-nav.js b/pkg/harvester/utils/dynamic-nav.js
index 5c23968c..4909e3c9 100644
--- a/pkg/harvester/utils/dynamic-nav.js
+++ b/pkg/harvester/utils/dynamic-nav.js
@@ -24,13 +24,14 @@ export function registerAddonSideNav(store, productName, {
   const kickSideNav = () => {
     const TRIGGER = 'ui.refresh.trigger';
 
-    store.dispatch('type-map/addFavorite', TRIGGER);
-
-    // SideNav component seem to ignore rapid state changes.
-    // Wait 600ms to ensure the toggle event triggers a re-render.
-    setTimeout(() => {
-      store.dispatch('type-map/removeFavorite', TRIGGER);
-    }, 600);
+    // Toggle the trigger a few times so an early kick (fired before the SideNav
+    // has mounted on first login) is retried once the component is listening.
+    [0, 600, 1500].forEach((delay) => {
+      setTimeout(() => {
+        store.dispatch('type-map/addFavorite', TRIGGER);
+        setTimeout(() => store.dispatch('type-map/removeFavorite', TRIGGER), 300);
+      }, delay);
+    });
   };
 
   const hasAccessibleSchema = (t) => {
@@ -92,16 +93,25 @@ export function registerAddonSideNav(store, productName, {
         // Store is ready. Stop polling.
         clearInterval(waitForStore);
 
-        // Watch the specific addon resource for changes to its enabled status.
+        // Watch the addon's enabled status together with the schema availability
+        // of the gated types. Schemas (e.g. forklift CRDs) can load after the
+        // addon is already enabled, so the watcher must also re-run when they
+        // become accessible; otherwise the menu never updates until a refresh.
         store.watch(
           (state, getters) => {
             const addons = getters[`${ productName }/all`](resourceType);
             const addon = addons.find((a) => a.metadata.name === addonName);
+            const isEnabled = addon?.spec?.enabled === true;
 
-            return addon?.spec?.enabled === true;
+            const schemaReady = requireSchema ? types.every(hasAccessibleSchema) : true;
+
+            return `${ isEnabled }:${ schemaReady }`;
           },
-          (isEnabled) => {
-            setMenuVisibility(isEnabled);
+          () => {
+            const addons = store.getters[`${ productName }/all`](resourceType);
+            const addon = addons.find((a) => a.metadata.name === addonName);
+
+            setMenuVisibility(addon?.spec?.enabled === true);
           },
           { immediate: true, deep: true }
         );
diff --git a/pkg/harvester/utils/forklift.js b/pkg/harvester/utils/forklift.js
index 8387c5ec..502d74c1 100644
--- a/pkg/harvester/utils/forklift.js
+++ b/pkg/harvester/utils/forklift.js
@@ -73,8 +73,21 @@ export function buildNetworkMapEntries(entries = [], defaultNamespace) {
 export function buildStorageMapEntries(entries = []) {
   return entries
     .filter((entry) => !!entry.target)
-    .map((entry) => ({
-      source:      { name: entry.name, id: entry.id },
-      destination: { storageClass: entry.target },
-    }));
+    .map((entry) => {
+      const destination = { storageClass: entry.target };
+
+      if (entry.volumeMode) {
+        destination.volumeMode = entry.volumeMode;
+      }
+
+      // Forklift StorageMap destination expects a single `accessMode` value.
+      if (Array.isArray(entry.accessModes) && entry.accessModes.length) {
+        destination.accessMode = entry.accessModes[0];
+      }
+
+      return {
+        source: { name: entry.name, id: entry.id },
+        destination,
+      };
+    });
 }