How to add an existing encrypted vHDD to a new virtual machine

virtual-machinesvirtualizationvmware-workstation

I am using VMware workstation with encrypted virtual hdd-s. I tried to use one of the vmdk files as an hdd on another virtual machine, but when I try to add them as an existing disk, I get the following error:

This disk may be used by an encrypted virtual machine.

Means I would lose all my data If the virtual machine is broken (lost the files or anything)? I can't create another machine and add the vhdd-s?

So:

  1. Create a virtual machine (Sys1.vmdk)
  2. Add a new hard drive to the machine (Data.vmdk)
  3. Encrypt the first virtual machine (it will encrypt both hard drives)
  4. Lose (it can happen!) the first virtual machine's files (not the vmdk's, only the virtual machine)
  5. Create a new virtual machine (Sys2.vmdk)
  6. Try to add Data.vmdk to the second machine –> you will get the error mentioned

Best Answer

Correct, you would lose all your data.

The disk that was in use by the encrypted VM that be used anywhere else. You can, however, remove the encryption password from the encrypted VM, make a copy of the disk and add it to another machine, then add an encryption password in the new VM.

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