How To Use A VMDK File In VMware Workstation

To use a VMDK file in VMware Workstation, you either create a new virtual machine from it or add it as an additional hard disk to an existing virtual machine. A VMDK (Virtual Machine Disk) file is a virtual hard drive that stores the guest operating system, applications, and user data for a VMware virtual machine.

What is a VMDK file?

It functions as a container that mimics the structure and functionality of a physical hard disk, allowing virtual machines to read from and write to it independently. VMDK files can be stored as a single monolithic file or split into multiple smaller files, and they support features such as snapshots for saving and restoring the state of a virtual machine.

Before you use a VMDK file in VMware Workstation

Before proceeding, ensure you have VMware Workstation installed on your system and a VMDK file ready to use. If your VMDK file originates from VMware ESXi, note that there are typically two files: a small descriptor .vmdk file and a larger -flat.vmdk file containing the actual disk data, both are required. Additionally, if you intend to use an existing VMDK with a new virtual machine while preserving the original for another VM, you must make a copy of the .vmdk file(s) first. You cannot directly "open" a VMDK file like a document; it requires virtualization software like VMware Workstation to access its contents.

Method 1: Create a new VM from a VMDK file

This method is ideal when you want to build a complete virtual machine around an existing VMDK file, such as when you need to import a virtual machine into VMware Workstation. Follow these steps:

1. Open VMware Workstation and go to File > New Virtual Machine.
2. Select the Custom (advanced) configuration option and click Next.
3. Choose I will install the operating system later and click Next.
4. Select the guest operating system type and version, then click Next.
5. Provide a name and location for the new virtual machine.
6. When prompted for a disk, select Use an existing virtual disk and browse to your .vmdk file.
7. Ensure all associated child .vmdk files (if any) are in the same directory as the selected .vmdk file.
8. Review the summary and click Finish to create the VM.

This approach lets you quickly boot into an existing operating system without needing to install an operating system on a VMware virtual machine from scratch.

Method 2: Add a VMDK file as an extra disk to an existing VM

Use this method when you already have a running virtual machine and want to attach a VMDK file as a secondary storage device, for example, to access data or expand capacity. This is also useful if you want to use VHD in VMware Workstation by first converting the VHD to VMDK format. Follow these steps:

1. Select the VM in VMware Workstation and click Edit virtual machine settings (or right-click the VM and choose this option).
2. In the Hardware tab, click the Add... button.
3. Select Hard Disk as the hardware type and click Next.
4. Select Use an existing virtual disk and click Next.
5. Click Browse to locate and select your .vmdk file, then click Finish.
6. Click OK to save the virtual machine settings.

After adding a VMDK as an additional disk, you may need to initialize and format it within the guest operating system using its disk management tools (e.g., Disk Management in Windows).

Start your virtual machine

Power on the virtual machine by selecting it and choosing Power On from the right-click menu or toolbar. Once the operating system loads, log in with the appropriate credentials to access the VMDK's contents. You can now use the applications, files, and settings stored within the virtual disk as you would on a physical machine.