Migrate a powered-down VM from Azure

[Aliz2017]

Can I find anywhere a step-by-step guide on how to migrate a powered-down VM from Azure to a local server using VMware standalone converter? The converter's user guide does not mention anything about Azure. Thanks.

[rcporto]

You will need to power on the virtual machine, configure the appropriate network connectivity between the virtual machine and your vCenter/ESXi host and install vCenter Converter on the virtual machine or another workstation/server with access to the virtual machine to be converted and the vCenter/ESXi.

[Aliz2017]

Thank you for the reply. I do not have a vCenter/ESXi host but only FUSION, so want to create a VM that works with FUSION. Can I do it with the free vCenter converter only?

[patanassov · Accepted solution]

It is possible but you need additional free space. Conversion to Workstation/Fusion is basically creating the VM files. They should be accessible from converter server. So if you can convert it to somewhere in Azure and then transfer it (e.g. via FTP) to where to be run.

[Aliz2017]

Here is an update, now that I have got this done, for anyone who may be in a similar situation:

1. Download the VHDs from the Azure VM using the Microsoft Azure Storage Explorer (in my case it was two disks, one holding the OS and another data disk).

2. Start VMware Workstation and create a new VM using the OS disk, then attach the other data disk.

3. Configure the VM to have the same settings (cores, memory) as in Azure.

4. Fire up the VM (it worked perfectly in my case).

If doing development on the local VM then the disks can be uploaded again to Azure and attached to the same or new VM afterwards.