How to Download a VMDK File from a VMware Datastore (3 Easy Methods)
But the option isn’t always obvious. You won’t find a shiny “Download VMDK” button in most modern vSphere clients. So, how do you actually get that file onto your local machine? vmware download vmdk from datastore
Always ensure your VM is either powered off or the disk is not actively writing data when you download the -flat.vmdk – otherwise, you may end up with a corrupted or inconsistent file system inside the disk. How to Download a VMDK File from a
If you found this useful, bookmark it or share it with another VMware admin. Have another method? Let me know in the comments below. Always ensure your VM is either powered off
Need to pull a VMDK file off an ESXi datastore for backup, migration, or analysis? Here are three reliable ways to download it—using the vSphere Client, the ESXi web interface, and the command line (SCP). Introduction Whether you’re troubleshooting a VM, moving a disk to another host, or just creating an emergency backup of a single virtual disk, downloading a .vmdk file directly from a VMware datastore is a common task.
scp root@esxi-ip:/vmfs/volumes/datastore1/MyVM/MyVM-flat.vmdk ~/Desktop/ ✅ This method is and supports resume on large files. Method 3: Using vmkfstools + Export (Advanced) If you want to export only a thin-provisioned VMDK as a thick disk or clone it without snapshots, use the command line directly on ESXi.
Below are three proven methods that work for and free ESXi as well. Method 1: Using the vSphere Client (Datastore Browser) – Easiest This is the quickest method if you have direct access to vCenter Server or the ESXi host’s web client.