What if you want to backup your machine and open it using VMWare without having to restore it to another physical machine?
VMWare support opening a Norton Ghost image so you could use this to restore a machine. VMWare also supports converting a physical machine to a virtual machine and enables you to backup and duplicate a machine in few simple steps.
What do you need?
VMWare vCenter Converter Standalone - A free tool that will convert your physical machine.
VMWare Workstation/VMWare Player - to open the machine. VMWare Player is a free tool.
How to do it?
Install VMWare vCenter Converter Standalone. Select "Local installation" in the "Setup Type" form.
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Run the tool.
Press the "Convert Machine" button. A wizard will be opened. In the "Specify Source" tab select "This local machine" in the "Specify the powered-on machine" radio group.
Press the "Next" button.
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In the "Specify Destination" select "VMWare Workstation or other VMWare virtual machine" in the "Select destination type" combo box. After that specify the VMWare product, give the machine a name and choose a location to save it.
Press the "Next" button.
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Press the "Next Button".
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In the "Ready to Complete" tab review you settings. When completed press the "Finish" button.
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The wizard will be closed. In the main window a task will be added to the list and the conversion will start. You can track the status in this window.
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