Mounting VMware Workstation snapshots with split vmdk files

I recently migrated from Hyper-V to VMware Workstation. As someone that has used Parallels Desktop on OS X (now macOS) for years, I find the capabilities (such as VMware Tools integration) of VMware as well as UI superior -- just my opinion.

However, I am attempting to capture an image of a VM created in VMware Workstation to deploy on other PCs (similar to @Kari informative tutorial here). My issue is with Hyper-V, mounting a snapshot image via disk-mgmt was straight forward; but with VMware, my VM disk is based on split .vdmk files and am not sure which file to mount using the "File --> Map Virtual Disk" function.

Also, out of curiosity, is there a way to mount the hard-disk of one VM inside another VM Guest OS? I would appreciate help from anyone and would also like to hear from @jimbo45 as you seem familiar with VMware as well.

Kari said:

Why don't you just capture the image on VM instead? Instructions on tutorial you mentioned show how to do it. First check step 7.7 and create those two folders told in that step before sysprepping, then continue from 7.10 to change VM boot order, booting it either from Windows install media or WinPE, and just follow the instructions to do the capture.

Thnx for the response. And that's definitely a great option. I was still curios nonetheless on understanding which file to mount when dealing w/ split files.

Kari said:

Open elevated Command Prompt, CD to folder containing your split VHD files. Enter following command to merge split VHD to one single VHD file:

"C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Workstation\VMware\vdiskmanager" -r SplitFileName.vmdk -t 0 NewMergedSingleVHDName.vmdk

Am glad you brought up the "merging split .vdmk" file option @Kari as it's a segue to my next question...

Personally, do you recommend using split .vdmk files or a single .vdmk monolithic files in regards to performance. When I was creating my VM, I had the option to go with either but chose split files based on the post from other users here and here and I figured as the split VHD option was the default, VMware must have a good reason why?

Hi folks

@KabyBlue

@Kari

I'm confused as to what the OP wants to do

If you've got both VM's up and running concurrently then just simple network sharing the HDD's (the fact they are virtual HDD's as far as the HOST is concerned is irrelevant.

The other way is simply in the 2nd VM's configuration is to "Use existing Virtual Hard Disk" in the add hardware section.



Although this is for create virtual machine -- same process is for existing VM's just go into edit config -- I'm running 4 VM's now so I cant edit those on the fly -- same idea though.

Of course cloning VM's is easy enough either take a Macrium image from within the VM or just copy the whole thing (vmx, vdmk etc).

Note though if creating / moving Windows VM's -- when the new VM starts up answer "I Moved it" rather than "I copied it" at first power on the VM otherwise you'll probably lose Windows activation.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi there

I still think the easiest way would be to just use something like Macrium on the VM

then in new vm's you can boot the bootable macrium restore program (set that as the .iso in boot to firmware in the VMware workstation before powering on) and then capture the image created from the original VM. If the VM has networking with the host just copy the macrium image to the Host. Job done as you can then use the macrium program to restore the image to any number of VM's you want.

But do say you MOVED rather than Copied the VM at first power on or windows activation will go bonkers.

Cheers
jimbo

Kari said:

After sysprepping a custom Windows installation on a VM, OP wants to capture it to an install.wim file. To do that there are two options: either boot the VM from WinPE and capture image with DISM, or mount the virtual hard disk of the VM on host and capture image on host.

Thnx for clarifying my intent @Kari to @jimbo45. Appreciate you guys' help...

I have run into a new issue, but this is in relation to capturing the image so am hoping any of you could help. I was successfully able to merge my .vdmk files into a single file and am now trying test capturing the image via my host -- Windows 10 ver. 1709 Pro x64. When I run the /capture-image command I get the following error...

... When I was creating my VM, I had the option to go with either but chose split files based on the post from other users here and here and I figured as the split VHD option was the default, VMware must have a good reason why?

Split VHD is probably the most conservative and less performant option, if you need to move/backup to file system with size limit you're out of luck when your virtual disk is something like 100 Gb; top (among other vmware options) performance with preallocated disk space.