Windows
Compatible applications
Quick Facts
Basic information about this file format
Extension
.VMDK
File Type
Virtual Machine Disk
Category
Data
Best first step
Use compatible software
Quick Summary
A practical overview of the .vmdk file format
A VMDK (Virtual Machine Disk) file is a disk image format used by VMware virtualization products, such as VMware Workstation, VMware ESXi, and VMware vSphere. It essentially represents a virtual hard drive. A single VMDK file, or a set of VMDK files, contains the complete contents of a virtual mach…
File extension
.VMDK
File type
Virtual Machine Disk
Category
Data
Recommended action
Open with a trusted compatible app
How to open a .vmdk file
Start with a trusted app that supports this format
- Check the file extension carefully and confirm that the file name really ends with .vmdk.
- Use software that supports this file type. If one app does not work, try another compatible program for the same platform.
- Update the application if the file was created by a newer version of the software.
- Scan files from unknown sources before opening them, especially documents, archives, scripts, installers, and executable files.
What is a .vmdk file?
File extension details and usage information
A VMDK (Virtual Machine Disk) file is a disk image format used by VMware virtualization products, such as VMware Workstation, VMware ESXi, and VMware vSphere. It essentially represents a virtual hard drive. A single VMDK file, or a set of VMDK files, contains the complete contents of a virtual machine's hard drive, including the operating system, applications, user data, and configuration settings. These files can be used to create, store, and manage virtual machines. VMDK files allow for portability and easy backup of virtual machines. They can be copied, moved, and restored, making them ideal for disaster recovery and testing purposes. The format supports various disk types, including pre-allocated, thin-provisioned, and sparse disks, offering flexibility in storage management. VMDK files are crucial for virtualization environments, enabling the creation and management of multiple virtual machines on a single physical host.
Software Compatibility
Programs that may open or work with .vmdk files
macOS
Compatible applications
Linux
Compatible applications
Mobile
Mobile applications
No specific software is listed for this platform yet. Try checking the file source, identifying the original application, or using a trusted universal file viewer when appropriate.
Can .vmdk files be converted?
Options for saving or exporting this file to another format
In many cases, a .vmdk file can be converted by opening it in compatible software and using an option such as Save As, Export, or Convert. The available output formats depend on the file type and the application used.
- Use the original software that created the file when possible.
- Check whether the application supports exporting to common formats.
- Be careful with online converters when working with private, business, or sensitive files.
- If conversion fails, the file may be corrupted, incomplete, encrypted, or not actually a .vmdk file.
Why can't I open a .vmdk file?
Common reasons this file type may not open correctly
Wrong software
The file may require a specific program that supports the .vmdk format.
Incorrect extension
The file extension may have been renamed manually, even though the actual file format is different.
Corrupted file
The file may be incomplete, damaged during download, or transferred incorrectly.
Outdated app
Your software may need to be updated before it can open newer versions of this file format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about .vmdk files
To open a .vmdk file, use software that supports this file format.
- VMware Workstation
- VMware Player
- VirtualBox
- PowerISO
- 7-Zip (for extracting contents if it's a compressed VMDK)
Open the file in compatible software and look for options such as Save As, Export, or Convert. If no export option is available, the file may require a specialized converter or the original application that created it.
- Verify that the file extension is correct.
- Install or update compatible software.
- Try another application that supports this format.
- Check whether the file is corrupted, incomplete, or encrypted.
A file extension alone does not guarantee whether a file is safe or unsafe. Only open files from trusted sources, scan unknown files before opening them, and be especially careful with executable, script, archive, and document files.
File safety tips
Use caution with unknown files
Only open files from trusted sources. Before opening a .vmdk file, scan it with antivirus software, verify that the file extension is expected, and avoid running unknown executable, installer, macro-enabled document, or script files.