Convert a HDD backup image to a VMDK image

GG -  
 GG -

Hello,

When we have a Windows 10 or 11 backup image made by Macrium Reflect or AOMEI, can it be converted to "vmdk" to use with "VMware Workstation"?

If yes, how can this image be imported into VMware? Or how can one create a virtual machine without going through installing Windows in VMware?

Thank you in advance

Regards,

1 answer

  1. brucine Posted messages 25106 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 170
     

    Hello,

    The question is curious: why would you want to import an image into VMware without installing it?

    A number of non-VMware software are capable of converting or reading VMDK.

    Of course on reading other virtual machines (VirtualBox, QEMU); historically VMware offered VMware Disk Mount Utility, no longer officially downloadable to my knowledge and it would only work on 32-bit systems, archive decompressors (for example 7-zip), various image mounting software...

    Could the conversion be done from formats like Acronis True Image or Clonezilla, EaseUS Todo Backup, but not Aomei, perhaps VMware vCenter Converter, I don’t know.

     

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    1. GG
       

      Hello “brucine”,


      Thank you for your response.
      Indeed, I would like to test “VMware Workstation”.
      I may be mistaken, but I think it doesn't support the VHD format or any format other than VMDK.


      Best regards,

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      1. brucine Posted messages 25106 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 170 > GG
         

        By default, the format is VMDK (which I "create" from each corresponding ISO).

        It would be necessary to convert VHD to VMDK with VMware vCenter Converter; I have never tried it.

        https://customerconnect.vmware.com/downloads/#all_products

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      2. GG > brucine Posted messages 25106 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         

        Thanks again “brucine”,

        Yes, we can use this software for several tasks, including converting a physical or virtual disk to use it in VMware.
        You have to try it.

        Best regards,

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