Virtual machines are helpful in some ways. You should utilize them to check out new working programs, take a look at experimental software program, run older purposes, and so forth. Two of probably the most broadly held digital machine software program are VMware and VirtualBox. Every has its personal professionals and cons, however the perfect factor is that you could simply swap your digital machines between them: convert VMware to VirtualBox and vice versa. You’ll by no means need to restructure the identical digital machine in a special software program ever once more.
Good to know: Can’t resolve between VMware and VirtualBox? Study which is the perfect virtualization software program 2024 for you.
Migrate from VMware to VirtualBox
Earlier than starting the migration course of, guarantee that the digital machine you need to export is totally powered off and never in a “suspended” state. This is applicable to each VMware and VirtualBox. You’ll have to convert your VMware digital machine file (.vmx) to an “.ovf” file. OVF is an open commonplace for packaging and distributing digital machines and is supported by each VirtualBox and VMware.
Export your required VMware digital machine file to an”.ovf file by opening your VMware listing and the OVFTool folder. Press Shift + right-click, then click on Open PowerShell window right here.
Use the under command, and press Enter within the PowerShell window. Change the trail of the .vmx file you need to export and the vacation spot for the brand new .ovf file, based mostly on the respective paths in your system.
ovftool “F:Setupskali-linux-2023.2-vmware-amd64kali-linux-2023.2-vmware-amd64.vmwarevmkali-linux-2023.2-vmware-amd64.vmx” f:ExportedKaliLinux.ovf
As quickly as you execute the command, the system will begin writing the OVF bundle to the marked vacation spot. Relying on the scale of the VM, IT can take a couple of minutes to finish.
Additionally Learn: Putting in Proxmox VE 8.1 on VMware Workstation 17
Observe: in case you are utilizing the paid model (i.e., VMware Workstation Professional), you may as well export the VM as an OVF file by navigating to File after which deciding on Export to OVF. Simply enter the identify and the trail for the OVF file, and also you’re finished.
Now that you just’ve efficiently exported the OVF bundle to your required location, launch VirtualBox, and click on Import or File -> Import Equipment.
Within the Import Digital Equipment window, click on the browse button, choose the exported OVF file, and click on Subsequent.
The following display screen exhibits the Equipment settings. VirtualBox will present you all of the VM settings. Depart them as is; you’ll be able to at all times change them later. Click on on End to proceed.
The import course of will take a while to finish. As soon as the import is full, your imported digital machine shall be within the VM VirtualBox Supervisor. Choose the VM, and click on Begin to energy on the VM.
You’ve efficiently transformed your VM from VMware to VirtualBox.
Troubleshooting Import Errors in VirtualBox
If you’re receiving importing errors, comply with the steps under.
- Open the exported OVF file in Notepad, discover all situations of “ElementName,” and change IT with “Caption.”
- Discover the “vmware.sata.ahci” occasion, and substitute IT with “AHCI.”
- Discover the SHA1 hash worth of the exported OVF file utilizing this online tool, and change the outdated hash worth with the brand new one discovered within the exported file. You may open IT with any textual content editor.
As soon as you’re finished with the adjustments, strive importing once more. This could remedy the import errors. If not, you need to most likely begin the above VMware to VirtualBox converter course of from scratch.
Additionally Learn: Introduction to Proxmox VE 8.1 – Half 1
Conclusion:
Each VMware and VirtualBox are wonderful virtualization instruments for Home windows customers. Relying in your preferences, you should use both of them to strive totally different working programs or run dangerous software program. You may simply export your favourite VMs – convert VMware to VirtualBox.
References:
https://www.maketecheasier.com/convert-virtual-machines-vmware-virtualbox