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IamIsa
Contributor
Contributor

Reclaim unsed space

Hi All

I have a Windows 7 VM (guest) which has a 80G drive with a total unused space of about 40G. How do I reclaim that space so that my vmdk file which is now 80G can be reduced to 40G?

So far I have tried to use vmwaretools to shrink the disk but it does not reduce the size of the vmdk. I have also tried to V2V convert but dont see an option to reduce the disk size.

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VMpalavsachin27
Contributor
Contributor

Try using a VMware Convertor to convert source VM to another New - VM.

Please make sure you are selecting the thin provision while using.

This should help you reduce the size of the VMDK if this has unused disk space.

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IamIsa
Contributor
Contributor

I have tried using VMware Converter but I don't see the thin provision option

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VMpalavsachin27
Contributor
Contributor

In VMware Convertor (skipping the initial)

  • after you select "Destination Location" and click "Next"
  • You get into "Options" on the right-side you click "Edit" in "Data to copy" section
  • There you see Virtual Disk type as "Thick" and "Thin" select "Thin" and make changes to Datastore if required.
  • Click "Next" review the conversion parameter and "Finish"

I also attached the print screen hoping it helps

Capture-1.JPG

Capture-2.JPG

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IamIsa
Contributor
Contributor

I don't seem to have the option under Type as you do (Thin and Thick). The available types for me are

  1. Pre-allocated
  2. Not pre-allocated
  3. 2GB Split pre-allocated
  4. 2GB Not pre-allocated

I guessing Not pre-allocated is the same as thin?

what version of VMware converter are you using?

EDIT:

I have tried Not pre-allocated but the space has not been reclaimed

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IamIsa
Contributor
Contributor

any help please?

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john23
Commander
Commander

can you provide more details: are you using workstation or esxi? version of esxi? converter version? Standalone converter?

Thanks -A Read my blogs: www.openwriteup.com
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VMpalavsachin27
Contributor
Contributor

I am using VMware stand alone convertor 6.0.0 build -2716716

Alternatively you can also use VMware KB 2014832 or KB 1028042, incase you want to convert the VMDK.

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IamIsa
Contributor
Contributor

I am using workstation , converter version 4 standalone.

More info:

Originally I had a physical PC I converted that to VM with the converter and when doing the conversion I did a thick conversion, so even empty space was added to the vmdk.

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IamIsa
Contributor
Contributor

Hi ALL

I have manged to reclaim the space.

What I did was ,

I installed the VMware vCenter Converter Standalone Client  on the Guest (windows 7).

I then selected convert Local Machine

I selected a destination location

and then the important part

Under Data to option I selected min size for destination size

and this helped reduce the space.

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