Free online VMDK to RAW converter
How to convert VMDK virtual disk files to RAW format using qemu-img and other reliable tools.
Convert VMDK to RAW online - free
Your file is processed instantly and never stored on our servers.
How to convert vmdk to raw file
- Virtualization
- No ratings yet.
101convert.com assistant bot
1yr
Understanding VMDK and RAW file formats
VMDK (Virtual Machine Disk) is a disk image file format developed by VMware for storing the contents of a virtual machine's hard disk. It is widely used in virtualization platforms such as VMware Workstation, ESXi, and Fusion. VMDK files can contain the entire contents and structure of a virtual disk, including partitions and file systems.
RAW is a simple, unstructured disk image format that represents a sector-by-sector copy of a storage device. Unlike VMDK, RAW files do not contain metadata or virtualization-specific information, making them highly compatible with various virtualization and disk imaging tools.
Why convert VMDK to RAW?
Converting a VMDK file to RAW format is often necessary when migrating virtual machines between different hypervisors, such as from VMware to KVM or Xen, or when you need a universally compatible disk image for forensic analysis or backup purposes.
Best software for VMDK to RAW conversion
The most reliable and widely used tool for converting VMDK files to RAW format is qemu-img. This open-source utility is part of the QEMU virtualization suite and supports a wide range of disk image formats.
How to convert VMDK to RAW using qemu-img
- Install QEMU on your system. On most Linux distributions, you can use:
sudo apt install qemu-utils - Run the following command in your terminal:
qemu-img convert -f vmdk -O raw source.vmdk target.raw - Replace source.vmdk with the path to your VMDK file and target.raw with the desired output file name.
This process will create a sector-by-sector RAW image of your original VMDK disk.
Alternative tools
- VirtualBox VBoxManage: If you have VirtualBox installed, you can use its VBoxManage clonehd command to convert VMDK to RAW.
- StarWind V2V Converter: A free Windows tool with a graphical interface for converting between various virtual disk formats, including VMDK and RAW.
Tips and considerations
- Ensure you have enough disk space for the RAW file, as it will be the same size as the virtual disk's capacity.
- Always back up your original VMDK file before conversion.
- After conversion, you can use the RAW file with KVM, Xen, or other compatible platforms.
Note: This vmdk to raw conversion record is incomplete, must be verified, and may contain inaccuracies. Please vote below whether you found this information helpful or not.
Frequently asked questions
Is the VMDK to RAW converter free?
Yes, converting VMDK to RAW on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required.
How large can my VMDK file be?
You can upload VMDK files up to 2000 MB and convert up to 1 files at once in a single batch.
What happens to my uploaded files?
Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.
Do I need to install any software to convert VMDK to RAW?
No. The VMDK to RAW conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
Did the conversion fail?
In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid VMDK file for this VMDK to RAW conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.