LKBEN11092: How to get your virtual machine out of the ESX Server


Symptom

You need to get an export from your VM on another system

Cause

Needed for Backup or Recovery

Solution

First of all, to export your virtual machine (VM), you need to shut it down. Alas it cannot be exported, when running...

Then select the  VM you want to export in the VMware Infrastructure Client and choose in the "File" Menu --> "Virtual Appliance" --> Export...

By the way right above "Export..." you'll find "Import..." - just in case you really need to get it back in ;-)

In the following File-Save Assistant, just choose your favourite folder and start the export.

It will make an export (VMX-File) of the whole size of your VM - so keep in mind to choose a volume with sufficiant space.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this document is intended for your information only. Lubby makes no claims to the validity of this information. Use of this information is at own risk!

About the Author

Author: Wim Peeters - Keskon GmbH & Co. KG

Wim Peeters is electronics engineer with an additional master in IT and over 30 years of experience, including time spent in support, development, consulting, training and database administration. Wim has worked with SQL Server since version 6.5. He has developed in C/C++, Java and C# on Windows and Linux. He writes knowledge base articles to solve IT problems and publishes them on the Lubby Knowledge Platform.