topic Re: Can I run a VM created in ESXi in Workstation? in VMware Workstation Pro Discussions

Can I run a VM created in ESXi in Workstation?

damien32vm — Thu, 05 May 2022 06:46:37 GMT

Does a VM created in vSphere/ESXi is able to be run in Workstation? What cavets should I look out for? Do I need to do any importing or can I just run off the vmx file?

Re: Can I run a VM created in ESXi in Workstation?

fabio1975 — Thu, 05 May 2022 09:56:20 GMT

Ciao

On VMware workstation there is a command that allows you to copy a VM from an ESXi host to the OS where the Workstation is installed.

You need to connect VMware Workstation to the ESXi host

Enter your credentials

The list of VMs on the ESXi server appears, open the VM you are interested in and in the properties select Manage-> Download

Re: Can I run a VM created in ESXi in Workstation?

Mikero — Thu, 05 May 2022 18:25:09 GMT

Should 'just work'.

Might be driver differences depending... (i.e. pvscsi driver), but you should be able to:

- do what the other poster suggests and connect directly
- Copy the VM folder from the data store, put it on your Workstation machine, double-click the .vmx and 'just work'
- Export the VM as 'OVF' or 'OVA', and import that into WS.

Re: Can I run a VM created in ESXi in Workstation?

damien32vm — Fri, 06 May 2022 04:11:32 GMT

Thanks, perhaps I should clarify what I want to do: its restoring a full VM from Veeam (backup of VMs from a ESXI vSphere setup) onto a windows computer and running it. Sounds like it should be similar to a "Copy the VM Folder" and run the vmx. I'll probably test it in Workstation Player to see if "works" and then plan on moving from that point.

Thanks.

Re: Can I run a VM created in ESXi in Workstation?

continuum — Fri, 06 May 2022 12:00:19 GMT

One caveat: snapshots created by ESXi
If you use snapshots in sesparse format you must merge them to the basedisk BEFORE you move over.
If you use snapshots in delta format you can use them in Workstation but not in writeable mode. Means you need to add another snapshot and then the way back to ESXi is closed.

The vmdk format used by ESXi itself "createType = VMFS" can be used inside Workstation when you redefine "createType" VMFS to "createType = monolithicFlat"
Read my VMDK-handbook for more on this.

Ulli