Step 3 of 4
Step 3 of 4 — Import VMDK Directly

Importing Your VMDK File Directly into UTM

You are trying the direct VMDK import — the fastest route! Follow each step below carefully. If UTM does not start the virtual machine after this, try the Convert VMDK to qcow2 method instead for better compatibility.

warning Good to know: Direct VMDK import works most of the time, but some VMDK files may not boot correctly in UTM. If your virtual machine does not start after following these steps, go back and use the Convert VMDK to qcow2 method — it has a much higher success rate!
desktop_windows Setting Up Your Virtual Machine in UTM
  1. 1

    Make Sure Your VMDK File Is Ready

    Before opening UTM, find your .vmdk file on your Mac. It is probably in your Downloads folder or wherever you saved it. Keep that folder open in Finder so you can find the file quickly when UTM asks for it.

    info Tip: If your VMDK file came inside an OVA package, you need to extract it first. Go back and follow Steps 1 to 7 in the OVA to qcow2 guide to extract the VMDK from the OVA — then come back here.
  2. 2

    Open UTM on Your Mac

    Open UTM from your Applications folder. You will see the UTM home screen. If this is your first time opening it, the screen will be mostly empty — that is totally fine!

  3. 3

    Click "Create a New Virtual Machine"

    Click the Create a New Virtual Machine button in the centre of the UTM home screen. A setup wizard will appear to guide you through creating your VM.

    UTM home screen with Create a New Virtual Machine button
    Click "Create a New Virtual Machine" to start the setup wizard.
  4. 4

    Select "Emulate"

    When the wizard asks how you want to create your VM, click Emulate. This option tells UTM to emulate another computer so it can run your virtual machine files.

    UTM showing the Emulate option
    Choose "Emulate" on this screen.
  5. 5

    Select "Other"

    On the operating system selection screen, pick Other. This is the correct choice when you are importing an existing virtual machine file rather than installing a fresh one.

    UTM showing Other option selected
    Select "Other" as the operating system type.
  6. 6

    Configure the Hardware Settings

    On the Hardware screen, set up the following:

    • Machine: Choose Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9) or Intel ICH9 based PC from the dropdown.
    • Memory (RAM): Enter the amount you want to give the VM. Remember this is in MB! (1 GB = 1024 MB, so for 2 GB type 2048, for 4 GB type 4096.)
    • CPU Cores: Leave this at the default value.

    UTM hardware configuration
    Choose the machine type and how much memory (RAM) to give the virtual machine.
  7. 7

    Set the Boot Options

    On the Boot settings screen:

    • Set Boot Device to None.
    • Turn off UEFI Boot — uncheck that box if it is checked.
    • Click Next.

    UTM boot device configuration
    Set Boot Device to None, disable UEFI Boot, and click Next.
  8. 8

    Set Storage to 2 GB

    On the Storage screen, type 2 for the size (2 GB). Do not worry about this — it is just a placeholder that we will remove and replace with your VMDK file very soon. Click Next.

    UTM storage size set to 2 GB
    Set storage to 2 GB as a placeholder — we will replace this shortly.
  9. 9

    Skip the Shared Directory — Just Click Continue

    The next screen is about sharing folders between your Mac and the VM. You do not need to set this up right now. Just click Continue to skip past it.

    UTM shared directory screen
    Click Continue on the Shared Directory screen without changing anything.
  10. 10

    Name Your VM and Click Save

    On the Summary screen, give your virtual machine a name you will remember — for example My VM or Linux Machine. Then click Save to create it.

    UTM summary and name screen
    Name your virtual machine and click Save.
  11. 11

    Right-Click the VM and Choose Edit

    Your new VM will appear in the sidebar on the left side of UTM. Right-click on its name and select Edit from the small menu that pops up.

    UTM right-click edit
    Right-click your VM in the sidebar and choose Edit.
  12. 12

    Swap the Placeholder Disk for Your VMDK File

    In the Edit window, scroll down to the Devices section. You will see an IDE Drive listed — that is the placeholder. Here is what to do:

    • Select the IDE Drive and delete it using the delete or minus button.
    • Click the New button to add a drive.
    • Choose Import from the options.
    • Browse to your .vmdk file and select it.

    UTM devices section — importing VMDK
    Remove the old IDE Drive, add a new imported drive, and select your VMDK file.
  13. 13

    Close Settings and Start the Virtual Machine!

    Close the Edit window (press Command + W or click the red circle at the top-left). UTM saves your settings automatically.

    Now click the Play button (the triangle) next to your VM name in the sidebar. Your virtual machine will start!

    warning If the VM does not start or shows an error: Some VMDK files are not compatible with UTM in their original format. If this happens, go back and follow the Convert VMDK to qcow2 guide — converting the file first almost always fixes the problem!
celebration

Your Virtual Machine Is Running!

If everything went smoothly, your virtual machine is now running inside UTM on your Mac. You are all done — fantastic job following all these steps!

build Something Did Not Work? Try This

If your virtual machine did not start or you saw an error message, do not worry — this is common with direct VMDK imports. The fix is simple: convert your VMDK file to the qcow2 format first, and then import the converted file into UTM. Follow the guide below:

sync_alt Convert VMDK to qcow2 Instead archive I Have an OVA File
arrow_back Back home Back to Home