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Converting a Virtual Machine or System Image Using the Import Command
To convert a virtual machine or system image using the Import command:
1. If you are importing a Virtual PC virtual machine, make sure the virtual machine is powered off.
Note: You cannot import a virtual machine while it is operating.
2. Choose File > Import to launch the VMware Virtual Machine Importer Wizard. From the opening panel, click Next.
3. Select the configuration and click Next.
Typical — This configuration is appropriate for most use.
Custom — Custom configurations are useful if
You run Workstation 5, but you need to create a legacy virtual machine for use with VMware Workstation 4, GSX 3.x, ESX 2.x, or VMware ACE1.x.
You run Workstation 5, and you prefer not to make a copy of the virtual disks of the source virtual machine or system image. You might make this choice to save disk space. The migrated VMware virtual machine uses the virtual disks of the source virtual machine or system image.
4. Browse (or type the path) to the source virtual machine or system image. Click Next.
The importer inspects the file.
5. Browse or type the path to the location you want for the VMware virtual machine and click Next.
6. Steps 7 and 8 refer to the custom configuration. If you selected the typical configuration in
step 3, skip to
step 8.
Select the format of the virtual machine.
Select New if you want to use the virtual machine only with Workstation 5.x.
Select Legacy if you want to use the virtual machine with Workstation 4, ESX 2.x, GSX Server 3.x or VMware ACE 1.x.
Click Next.
7. Select the import options for the new virtual machine
Make a complete copy of the source virtual machine — This creates a VMware virtual machine with no dependencies on the original virtual machine or system image.
Link to the existing virtual machine — This creates a VMware virtual machine that shares the virtual disk of the source virtual machine or system image. If you chose to create a legacy virtual machine in step 7, this option is disabled.
Note: If you choose to link to the existing virtual machine for a Virtual PC virtual machine, opening the original source virtual machine in Virtual PC may invalidate the imported virtual machine.
Click Next.
8. Review the description of the migration settings. To make changes, click Back. To proceed, click Next.
Virtual Machine Importer creates a VMware virtual machine from the source virtual machine or system image.
A progress bar appears. To stop the migration, click Cancel.
The migration process can often take more than a minute per gigabyte of disk space of the migrated virtual machine. When the migration is complete, the wizard displays a completion panel.
9. Click Finish.
