Unable to download VM files from datastore browser when there is period before the virtual machine name

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Downloading VM files from datastore browser fails when the virtual machine name starts with a period (for example, .vmTest).
• This issue also occurs when you are using an API call.
• GetVMFiles.java sample shipped with vSphere Management SDK - Java , also reproduces this issue. The sample runs successfully, but there are no VM files in the destination local folder. 

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 6.7.x

Cause

This issue occurs because internal code is not implemented to support such scenarios (virtual machines name starting with period).

Resolution

This is an expected behavior.

Currently, there is no resolution.

Workaround:
To work around this issue, use the OVF tool to download VM files.

Additional Information

Download of VM files starting with a period is not possible