How to Export VMware Workstation Pro 16 Virtual Machines in OVA Format

VMware Workstation Pro 16 can export virtual machines in OVF and OVA format. OVF stands for Open Virtualization Format, and OVA stands for Open Virtualization Appliances.

If you export a VMware Workstation Pro 16 virtual machine in OVF format, it will generate multiple files. On the other hand, if you export a VMware Workstation Pro 16 virtual machine in OVA format, it will generate only a single file. In that sense, OVA is easier to import on other hypervisors as you will have to deal with a single file.

In this article, I will show you how to export a VMware Workstation Pro 16 virtual machine in OVA format and import it on VMware Workstation Pro 16 again. So, let’s get started.

Table of Contents:

1. Exporting Virtual Machines in OVA Format
2. Importing Virtual Machines using OVA File
3. Conclusion

Exporting Virtual Machines in OVA Format:

To export a VMware Workstation Pro 16 virtual machine, make sure that it is opened in the VMware Workstation Pro 16 app and powered off.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-1.png" data-lazy- height="816" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1248″>

(Optional) If you want to export a specific snapshot of the virtual machine, make sure to restore the virtual machine from your desired snapshot first.

To do that, click on VM > Snapshot > Snapshot Manager as marked in the screenshot below.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-2.png" data-lazy- height="816" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1248″>

Select your desired snapshot from the Snapshot Manager and click on Go To to restore the virtual machine from the snapshot.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-3.png" data-lazy- height="816" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1248″>

Click on Yes. The virtual machine should be restored from the snapshot.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-4.png" data-lazy- height="816" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1248″>

Now, click on File > Export to OVF… as marked in the screenshot below.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-5.png" data-lazy- height="816" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1248″>

Navigate to a folder/directory where you want to save the OVA file, type in a filename with the .ova extension, and click on Save.

NOTE: The filename must end with the .ova extension for exporting virtual machines in OVA format.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-6.png" data-lazy- height="816" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1248″>

VMware Workstation Pro 16 should start exporting the virtual machine in OVA format. It may take a while to complete.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-7.png" data-lazy- height="816" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1248″>

Once the virtual machine is exported in OVA format, a new OVA file should be created in the folder/directory where you have saved the file.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-8.png" data-lazy- height="574" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1075″>

Importing Virtual Machines using OVA File:

To import the virtual machine on another hypervisor running on a different computer, copy the OVA file of the virtual machine to the computer where you want to import the OVA file.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-9.png" data-lazy- height="578" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”921″>

This article will show you how to import the OVA file on another VMware Workstation Pro 16 hypervisor. You should be able to import it on VirtualBox and other hypervisors as well.

Open the VMware Workstation Pro 16 app.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-10.png" data-lazy- height="736" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1196″>

Click on File > Open… as marked in the screenshot below.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-11.png" data-lazy- height="746" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1200″>

Select the OVA file and click on Open.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-12.png" data-lazy- height="728" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1202″>

The Import Virtual Machine window should be displayed.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-13.png" data-lazy- height="764" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1206″>

Type in a meaningful name for the virtual machine and click on Import.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-14.png" data-lazy- height="764" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1199″>

VMware Workstation Pro 16 should start importing the OVA file. It may take a while to complete.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-15.png" data-lazy- height="724" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1203″>

Once VMware Workstation Pro 16 has imported the OVA file, a new virtual machine should be created.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-16.png" data-lazy- height="744" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1206″>

As you can see, the virtual machine is running just fine.

<img alt="" data-lazy- data-lazy-src="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/echo/How-to-Export-VMware-17.png" data-lazy- height="763" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1049″>

Conclusion:

This article shows you how to export a VMware Workstation Pro 16 virtual machine in OVA format. I have also shown you how to import the OVA file and create a new virtual machine with VMware Workstation Pro 16.