Creating a Workstation virtual machine using existing VMDK virtual disks

Products

• VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps to create a Workstation virtual machine using existing virtual disks.

Symptoms:

• When powering on a virtual machine in Workstation, you see the error:
  
  virtual_machine_path.vmx is not a valid virtual machine configuration file
   
• The virtual machine configuration file (.vmx) is corrupt or deleted
• You have received a vmdk file from a source, but the configuration file for the virtual machine is not available

Environment

VMware Workstation 8.x (Windows)

VMware Workstation 9.x (Windows)

VMware Workstation 10.x (Windows)

VMware Workstation 11.x (for Windows)

VMware Workstation Pro 14.x (for Windows)

VMware Workstation Pro 15.x (Windows)

VMware Workstation Pro 16.x (for Windows)

VMware Workstation Pro 17.x (for Windows)

Resolution

Note: When you select the existing .vmdk file(s) to create the virtual machine, these files are locked and are not available to other virtual machines that may want to use them. Therefore, if you want to continue using the virtual disks ( .vmdk) with your current virtual machine, you must make a copy of the .vmdk file(s).

 

To create the Workstation virtual machine using existing .vmdk file(s):

1. In Workstation, go to File > New > Virtual Machine.
2. Select Custom and click Next.
3. Select the hardware compatibility you require and click Next.
4. In the Guest Operating System Installation selection screen, select I will install the Operating System later and click Next.
5. Select the guest operating system that is installed, including the version.
6. Click Next.
7. Provide a file name and choose the location where you want to save the virtual machine.
8. Click Next.
9. If necessary, adjust the number of processors and number of cores per processor required by the virtual machine and then click Next.
10. Adjust the amount of memory to be allocated to your virtual machine and click Next.
11. Select the desired networking type for your virtual machine and click Next.
12. Select Use an Existing Virtual Disk and click Next.
13. Click Browse and navigate to the location of your existing .vmdk file.
14. Select the .vmdk file and click Next.
    
    Note: Ensure that all child .vmdk files are in the same location as the selected .vmdk file.
     
15. Review the settings displayed in the Summary window.
16. If necessary, click Customize Hardware and make the required changes.
17. Click Finish.
    
    Your virtual machine is now created and the guest operating system starts. After the guest operating system starts, the VMware Tools installer begins automatically.

For more information on installing VMware Tools, see Install VMware Tools in VMware products.