How to open vmdk files in VMware?

From VMware workstation, either:

File
Open
Browse to the directory containing the virtual machine's files (both the vmdk and the vmx files)
Open the .vmx file.

Done. You now have the virtual machine in your setup.

Alternatively, if you just want to browse what is in the disk files without starting the vm:

From VMware workstation:

File
Map virtual disks
Map
Browse
Browse to the directory containing the files.
Select the disk file
[OK]

Done.

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Hennes

Posted 2012-11-15T17:32:49.323

Reputation: 60 739

if its someone like me who came after downloading only the vmdk file, then create a new vm by choosing I'll install OS later. Choose the OS whose vmdk you have downloaded. Choose "store virtual disk as a single file". When you are done replace the vmdk you downloaded with the one that is created. Start the vm. enjoy! – shabby – 2018-08-31T13:06:16.920

oh my ... didn't see that file sitting at the end in finder ... thank you! – daniel – 2012-11-15T18:07:35.747

3Hi, have you read the VMWare docs at all? This seems like the kind of basic question the documentation would cover. – Peter Jenkins – 2012-11-15T17:35:15.587

1Maybe your question is "how to I import lots of VMWare images as the same time". Do you need to batch import images? – Peter Jenkins – 2012-11-15T17:35:56.600

How to open vmdk files in VMware?

Answers