✅ This method is and supports resume on large files.
To download a virtual disk (VMDK) from a VMware datastore, you can use the , PowerCLI , or SCP/SFTP tools . For the most reliable results, you should always power off the virtual machine (VM) before attempting a download. Important Pre-Download Requirements
The most straightforward method for most administrators is using the built-in Datastore Browser in the vSphere Client.
: Navigate to the OVF Tool directory.
: You cannot download a VMDK while the virtual machine is powered on because the file is locked by the ESXi host.
:
⚠️ Downloading the -flat.vmdk over HTTP can be slow for large disks. Also, ensure the VM is powered off or the disk is not in heavy use to avoid corruption.