Compact: http://pubs.vmware.com/ws7_ace26/ws_user/ws_disk_shrink.html#1023157
Shrink: http://pubs.vmware.com/ws7_ace26/ws_user/tools.7.29.html#1002701
It's nearly the same...
AWo
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Shrink: inside the VM unused diskspace is wiped with zeroes.
When that is done the existing vmdk is cloned into a new vmdk while skipping all wiped areas during the clone. When the clone was successful the old disk and the newly created one are replaced and the old one will be discarded.
Compact: as far as I know this sorts and checks the grain tables of sparse vmdks. Don't know exactly and have seen no good Kb explaining this in depth.
Shrink is much more effective than Compact as far as size reduction is concerned
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