> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.iblue.team/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.iblue.team/general-notes-1/convert-raw-to-vmdk-for-virtual-machine.md).

# Convert raw to vmdk

**Using qemu-img;**

```
$ sudo apt-get install qemu-tools
$ sudo qemu-img convert -O vmdk rawimage.dd /path/to/output/file.vmdk
```

750GB raw image (acquired using ddrescue/dcfldd) converted using above method took \~2 hours on mid-spec machine.

Create new virtual machine with required resources\
Select existing virtual disk\
Select above file

Note: won't boot directly in VirtualBox without changing settings (notes tba)

**Using VirtualBox/VBManage**

```
$ VBoxManage convertfromraw imagefile.dd vmdkname.vmdk --format VMDK
```

750GB raw image converted to 750GB VMDK in 1hr 45 on mid-spec machine.