Shrink a Thin Provisioned VMDK

[VSprague]

I have a thin provisioned VMDK that is 500GB. The actual Windows Partition is only 150gb. I would like to change the VMDK to a 150GB thick provisioned disk. What is the best way for me to go about doing that?

[sumitgoel17 · Accepted solution]

If you prefer GUI then use Converter otherwise vmkfstools is a powerful CLI command.

[admin]

vmkfstools -i will clone the disk to the exact size . but again we could change the descriptor value and then clone which would result the disk size to be shrinked. but its not advisable and could result in corruption.

I would recommend to use the VMware converter ( free software from VMware ) which is the best option. And the best part you can do it on the fly. where as vmkfstools would require a downtime.

Thanks,
Avinash

[abhilashhb]

As Avinash said use the converter. I did it using vmkfstools once for doing this and ran into multiple issues which included corruption. But i was working on a test machine. To be safe use the converter.

[VSprague]

I used the converter, thank you all.

[admin]

Or even goto the VM folder, select and right click  the .vmdk file.

You will get and option "INFLATE". Inflating will make the disk from thin to thick. But the VM needs to be powered off

~dGeorgey

[Shocko]

I surprised this cannot be accomplished in the vCentre/Web gui at this stage.