How to Convert a Virtual PC Drive to VMware
VMware distributes a suite of software products that allows users to create and run a virtual machine inside an isolated container of a host computer. This process, called virtualization, allows users to run and test virtual machines on another computer.
Windows Virtual PC is a Microsoft virtualization program that performs the same function as products from VMware. Users of Virtual PC wanting to move to VMware can convert their Virtual PC machine to a VMware virtual machine by using the Virtual Machine Importer tool from VMware.
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Instructions
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Installing VMware Virtual Machine Importer
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Download the latest version of the VMware Virtual Machine Importer from the VMware website. Open the installer program by double-clicking on the downloaded file.
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Click "Next" once the Installation Wizard opens to begin the installation process. Read the licensing agreement and click the radio button next to "I accept the terms in the license agreement." Click "Next" to proceed to the next screen.
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Click "Install" at the Ready to Install the Program screen, and the installation process begins.
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Click "Finish" once the screen appears showing the installation process has been completed. Click "OK" inside the pop-up window that appears notifying you that you must restart the computer before running the program. Wait for the computer to restart.
Converting the Virtual Machine
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Launch VMware Virtual Machine Importer by double-clicking on its icon on the desktop or by navigating to it from the Start menu. Select the typical configuration by clicking the "Typical" radio button and clicking "Next."
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Click the "Browse" button on the screen that appears and navigate to the folder on your computer where the Virtual PC image file is located. Click "Next" and wait for the importer software to inspect the Virtual PC file. Click the "Browse" button on the next screen that appears and navigate to the folder where you want the VMware virtual machine file to be created. Click "Next" to proceed.
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Check that the file locations are correct for the Virtual PC machine being converted and the VMware machine being created. Make any changes necessary by using the "Back" button. Click "Next" to proceed with the conversion process.
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Click "Finish" once the conversion process is finished, and the importer software quits. Restart your computer and test the new VMware virtual machine.
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Tips & Warnings
The VMware Virtual Machine Importer must be installed on a Windows-based machine for the conversion process.
Virtual machines must be powered off before being converted from Virtual PC format to VMware format.
