Cannot export virtual machines in OVA format from vSphere Client

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

The following situation occurs when attempting to export a virtual machine using the vSphere Client:

• The OVF format is automatically selected as the export format, and the option to select OVA is not displayed.
  
  
• There is no field available on the user interface to specify a destination for saving in OVA format.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 6.5
VMware vCenter Server 6.7
VMware vCenter Server 7.0
VMware vCenter Server 8.0

 

Cause

This is a product specification in vSphere Client for vSphere 6.5 and later. The option to export directly in OVA format from the vSphere Client has been deprecated.

Resolution

If you need to export in OVA format, use the command-line tool, OVF Tool.

1. Obtaining the OVF Tool
   
   From the Broadcom Developer portal, download and install the OVF Tool that matches the OS of your workstation.
   
   
2. Executing the export by command
   
   Open a command prompt or terminal and execute with the following syntax.
   
   
   • When via ESXi:
     
     ovftool.exe --noSSLVerify vi://<ESXi_IP>/<VM_NAME> "<SAVE_PATH>\<FILE_NAME>.ova"
     
     
   • When via vCenter Server:
     
     ovftool.exe --noSSLVerify "vi://<USER>@<VC_FQDN>/<DATACENTER>/vm/<FOLDER>/<VM_NAME>" "<SAVE_PATH>\<FILE_NAME>.ova"

Additional Information

Deploy and Export OVF and OVA Templates

OVF Tool Command Syntax to Export and Deploy OVA/OVF Packages (340425)

vSphere Client から仮想マシンを OVA 形式でエクスポートできません (434890)