Converting Local Machine to use in VM ware

Hello Guys and Gals, I would would like to Convert my Local Machine to a use in VMware, ( I did a test run on a laptop of mine which was successful. )

I would like to do the same thing on my Local machine, i have VMware running on my local machine ( with several OS on it which are working fine )

I would like to add my local machine to the VM that is on my local machine, and use the newly Created Local VM in VMware,

could i use the newly created Local VM as a form of Backup ?

Could i use the newly created local VM as my main OS in VMware ?


Thanks in advance

Although written for hyper-v, basic principle applies to vmware ie create vhd using disk2vhd and open vhd in vmware.

Hyper-V - Create and Use VHD of Windows 10 with Disk2VHD

Hello Again , is there a reason why i cant use VMware vCenter Converter ? since the files are already vmx ?

I would rather not convert the VHD back to a VMX if possible

Thanks in advance

Hello again, yes i would like to convert my host pc ( Local Machine ) to use in a VMware environment not a Hyper V as i have no experience with Hyper V

Thanks in Advance

Hi there

You could have a problem with the VMware converter since it sometimes freezes mouse on ist boot of the VM.

The easiest way is simply to do this

1) Back up existing Physical machine to external HDD. (You only need the OS and system partitions). (Macrium Free is the best for this)

2) define your VM -- give it sufficient Disk space and when using VMware choose "I will install the OS later" option if using the create VM wizard.

3) create an ISO of the bootable macrium Free restore program.

4) attach the HDD where you saved your image of your current OS to the VM

5) set the VM to boot from the ISO file.

6) boot VM -- now it should start the Macrium restore program -- simply follow the on screen instructions to restore from the backup --- macrium will usually restore perfectly to different hardware.

7) when restore complete - boot VM normally and install VMWARE tools.

8) remove / install whatever else you need / don't need.

You will probably be asked again for a key as a VM will need another windows licence --in rare cases *you might be* lucky !!!!.

Cheers
jimbo

Hello Guys and Gals . well i did try the VM converter, i installed it on my C:\ on my main machine , and after a reboot i was unable to get to the desktop, i had a couple of errors saying that the desktop could not be loaded, ( i did not capture the Errors,

i then had to a system restore / reset, luckily i had a image from a few days back and did the reset and restores the Image that i had, the same thing happened on my test laptop, which is now ok

I think i will try Jimbo45 recommendation and see what happens, ( that seems like what i was looking for ) i will be back in between the step to make sure i am on the right track

Thanks in Advance