Convert a Physical PC to a Virtual Machine on Workstation Pro

If you’re retiring an older PC and want to keep everything on it, including Windows, your installed programs and all your files, converting it to a virtual machine (VM) is one of the smartest moves you can make.

This is known as P2V migration (physical-to-virtual). It turns your whole computer into a virtual machine that runs in a window inside VMware Workstation Pro on your new PC.

In this guide I’ll show you how to convert a physical PC to a virtual machine step by step, using VMware vCenter Converter Standalone, the free tool from VMware (now Broadcom). It saves your PC as a .vmdk virtual disk that loads straight into VMware Workstation Pro.

Checked November 2026

The current version is vCenter Converter Standalone 9.0, released on 19 August 2025. It converts PCs running Windows 10 or Windows 11. My screenshots are from an earlier version, so the icons look slightly different, but the steps are the same.

The Short Version

  1. Download vCenter Converter Standalone from Broadcom and install it on the PC you want to convert.
  2. Run it as administrator and click Convert Machine.
  3. Choose Powered on and This local machine.
  4. Choose VMware Workstation or other VMware virtual machine and save to a folder on an external drive.
  5. Click Finish and wait. It can take a few hours.
  6. On your new PC, open Workstation Pro, click Open a Virtual Machine and choose the .vmx file.

Table of contents

What Is P2V Migration? (Physical-to-Virtual)

P2V migration is the process of converting a physical computer, including its operating system, installed software, settings and files, into a virtual machine that runs on a hypervisor such as VMware Workstation Pro. The result is a pair of files:

  • .vmdk: the virtual hard disk, containing everything from the original PC
  • .vmx: the virtual machine’s configuration file

Once it’s converted, the virtual machine runs on any PC with VMware Workstation Pro, so you keep your old computer without keeping the old hardware.

Why Convert a Physical PC to a Virtual Machine?

For me, the most compelling reason is to keep your old Windows 10 computer running and usable on your new Windows 11 PC. Your programs come with you without hunting for product keys to reinstall them, your settings stay as they were, and all your files are where you expect them to be.

  • Keep your old Windows 10 setup when you move to a new PC
  • Keep access to older programs that won’t install on Windows 11
  • Run your old PC as a portable virtual machine from an external USB drive
  • Avoid reinstalling and setting everything up again from scratch
  • Test software or changes on a copy of your real PC, safely boxed in

Rather than keeping that old PC running so you can use one or two programs, you pack the whole thing up and move it to your new computer as a virtual machine. Everything works as it did before, your files are where you left them, and you even have internet access.

A Windows 10 computer converted to a virtual machine and running on a Windows 11 PC.
Take the whole computer and run it as a virtual machine on your new PC.

Note

This guide is about moving a whole computer, so you don’t need to reinstall or set up anything. Not everyone needs that. If you only have one or two older programs that are easy to reinstall, you may be better off simply creating a new Windows 10 virtual machine and installing them there.

And if your old PC runs Windows 10, remember it stopped getting free security updates in October 2025. Use the virtual machine for your old programs and files, and do your everyday browsing on your new PC.

The Tool You Need: VMware vCenter Converter Standalone

VMware vCenter Converter Standalone is a free program from Broadcom (formerly VMware) that converts a running Windows PC into a VMware virtual machine. It creates the .vmdk and .vmx files that copy the original PC, including Windows, your programs and all your data.

  • Free, though you need a free Broadcom account to download it
  • Converts Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs (64-bit Windows 11, and 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10)
  • Saves in .vmdk format, which works with VMware Workstation Pro, VMware Fusion and vSphere
  • Converts a live, running PC, so there’s no need to shut it down first

Which Version Do You Need?

Use the newest one, vCenter Converter Standalone 9.0 (August 2025). Version 6.6 from February 2024 works the same way if you already have it.

Neither version converts Windows 7 or Windows 8. For an older PC like that, use Disk2vhd instead. I’ve linked my guide in the FAQ below.

Where to Download VMware vCenter Converter Standalone

Since Broadcom bought VMware, the download has moved. You’ll find it on Broadcom’s free downloads page. Search for vCenter Converter, and sign in to your Broadcom account (registration is free) to download it.

You’ll also need VMware Workstation Pro on your new PC. It’s free for everyone, and here’s how to download VMware Workstation Pro.

Before You Begin: Pre-Conversion Checklist

The conversion copies your entire PC, every file, folder and program. Before you start:

  • Uninstall any programs you don’t want in the virtual machine.
  • Run Windows Disk Cleanup to make the .vmdk file smaller.
  • Make sure you’re signed in with an administrator account.
  • Plug in an external USB hard drive with enough free space for the virtual machine. It’ll be about the same size as the used space on your PC’s drive.
  • Create a folder on the external drive for the virtual machine. vCenter Converter won’t save straight to the top level (the root) of a drive.

How Long Does It Take?

The less data on your PC, the faster the conversion. A tidy PC with 100 GB of data might take one to two hours. A heavily loaded 500 GB PC could take four to six hours or more.

Step-by-Step: Convert Physical PC to Virtual Machine

Step 1: Install and Launch VMware vCenter Converter Standalone

  1. Download and install VMware vCenter Converter Standalone on the PC you want to convert (the source machine).
  2. Right-click the vCenter Converter Standalone icon and choose Run as administrator.
  3. When it opens, click the Convert Machine button on the toolbar.
The Convert Machine button in VMware vCenter Converter Standalone.
Click Convert Machine on the toolbar.

Step 2: Select the Source Machine

  1. On the Source System page, choose Powered on as the source type.
  2. In the drop-down menu, choose This local machine.
  3. Click Next.

Powered on means you’re converting the PC while it’s running. It’s the right choice for converting the PC in front of you.

Selecting This local machine as the source to convert to a virtual machine.
Use the drop-down menu to select This local machine.

Step 3: Configure the Destination (VMware Workstation Pro Format)

  1. On the Destination System page, open the Select destination type drop-down and choose VMware Workstation or other VMware virtual machine.
  2. In Select VMware product, choose the version of Workstation Pro on your new PC. If yours isn’t listed, choose the newest one in the list.
  3. Give the virtual machine a name, or accept the one it suggests.
  4. Click Browse and choose the folder you made on your external USB drive. Don’t choose the drive itself.
  5. Click Next.
Choosing VMware Workstation as the destination type in vCenter Converter.
Select VMware Workstation.
Naming the virtual machine and choosing the folder to save it in.
Then choose the folder to save your virtual machine in.

Step 4: Review Options and Start the Conversion

  1. On the Options page, you can leave everything at the defaults.
  2. Check the Summary page to make sure the source and destination are right.
  3. Click Finish to start the conversion.

The progress is shown as a percentage. Leave the PC alone as much as you can while it works. Depending on how much data you have and the speed of your USB drive, it takes anywhere from one hour to several.

The vCenter Converter Options page, where you can change the virtual machine’s settings before converting.
You can change the virtual machine’s settings here, but I’d leave them at their defaults for now.
The Summary screen for converting a physical PC into a virtual machine with VMware vCenter Converter.
Click Finish to start the conversion.

How to Import the Converted VM into VMware Workstation Pro

When vCenter Converter has finished, you’ll have a folder on your external drive with a .vmx file and one or more .vmdk files. Plug that drive into your new PC. You then have two choices:

Option A: Run the VM from the External Drive
The virtual machine can run straight from the USB drive without copying it to your new computer. This saves space and keeps it portable, but it’ll only be as fast as the USB drive.

Option B: Copy the VM to Your New PC (Recommended for Performance)
Copy the whole virtual machine folder from the external drive to your new PC’s internal drive, ideally an SSD. It runs much faster this way, but it uses a lot of disk space.

Opening the VM in VMware Workstation Pro

  1. Open VMware Workstation Pro on your new PC.
  2. On the Home screen, click Open a Virtual Machine.
  3. Go to the folder with the converted virtual machine and select the .vmx file.
  4. The virtual machine appears in the list on the left. Select it and click Power on this virtual machine.
  5. The first start takes longer than usual. That’s normal, because Windows is getting used to its new virtual hardware.
The VMware Workstation Pro Home screen with Open a Virtual Machine highlighted.
Click Open a Virtual Machine.
Selecting the converted PC’s .vmx file in File Explorer.
Select your converted PC’s .vmx file.
Powering on the converted virtual machine in Workstation Pro.
Once it’s in VMware Workstation Pro, power it on.
The converted virtual machine starting up in VMware Workstation Pro.
The first start is slow while Windows sets itself up.

After Import: Essential Post-Conversion Steps

Install VMware Tools
Your old PC never had VMware Tools, so install them once the virtual machine has started and settled. They give you the right screen resolution, better speed, and copy and paste between your PC and the virtual machine. In Workstation Pro, click VM, then Install VMware Tools, and follow the prompts inside the virtual machine. If the option is greyed out, here’s how to fix Install VMware Tools greyed out.

Check Windows Activation
The virtual hardware looks different from your old PC, so Windows may say it isn’t activated. If you bought Windows separately (a retail licence), go to Settings, Update & Security, Activation in Windows 10 (Settings, System, Activation in Windows 11), click Troubleshoot and choose I changed hardware on this device recently. If Windows came already installed on your old PC, that licence belongs to the old PC, so you may need a new licence for the virtual machine.

Review Allocated Resources
vCenter Converter copies your old PC’s memory and processor settings, which may be too much for your new PC. To change them, right-click the virtual machine in Workstation Pro’s list and choose Settings. Half of your new PC’s memory is a good maximum.

Back It Up
Once it’s working, back it up. Here’s how to back up VMware Workstation Pro virtual machines.

Troubleshooting a Physical to Virtual Conversion

Cannot Format Volume on a Windows 11 PC

Broadcom lists this as a known problem in vCenter Converter 9.0. Converting a Windows 11 PC that uses UEFI (most do) to a Workstation virtual machine can fail at 1% with Cannot format volume, and there’s no fix yet.

If it happens to you, use Disk2vhd instead. It saves the whole PC as a virtual hard disk that runs in VirtualBox or Hyper-V. Here’s how to convert an old PC into a virtual machine with Disk2vhd.

Converter Won’t Save to Your External Drive

vCenter Converter won’t save to the top level of a drive. Create a folder on the drive and choose that instead.

The Virtual Machine Won’t Start: Security Violation

If the converted virtual machine stops with a Secure Boot security violation, turn Secure Boot off for it. In Workstation Pro, select the virtual machine, click VM, Settings, then the Options tab. Click Advanced, untick Enable secure boot, and click OK.

Not Enough Memory to Power On

Your old PC’s memory setting came across with it. Select the virtual machine, click VM, Settings, then Memory, and lower it to half of your new PC’s memory or less.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Where has Virtualize a Physical Machine gone in VMware Workstation Pro?
A: VMware removed it from the File menu in Workstation Pro 16.2.3 in March 2022. Use the free vCenter Converter Standalone instead, as shown in this guide.

Q: Is VMware vCenter Converter Standalone free?
A: Yes. It’s free to download and use. You need a free Broadcom account to download it from support.broadcom.com.

Q: Can I convert a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC to a virtual machine?
A: Yes. vCenter Converter Standalone converts both Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, and the result runs in VMware Workstation Pro.

Q: Can I convert a Windows 7 PC to a virtual machine?
A: Not with the current vCenter Converter, which only supports Windows 10 and 11. Use Disk2vhd instead. Here’s my Disk2vhd guide.

Q: Can I use VirtualBox instead of VMware?
A: Yes. You’d use Disk2vhd to convert the PC instead of vCenter Converter, then load the virtual hard disk into VirtualBox or Hyper-V. My Disk2vhd guide covers both.

Q: How long does a P2V conversion take?
A: It depends on how much data is on your PC and the speed of your external drive. Expect one to two hours for a PC with 100 GB of data, and four hours or more for bigger ones.

Q: Can I run the converted virtual machine from a USB drive?
A: Yes. It will start and run from an external USB drive. For the best speed, copy it to an internal SSD on your new PC.

Q: What’s the difference between .vmdk and .vmx files?
A: The .vmdk file is the virtual hard disk, with Windows, your programs and your files on it. The .vmx file holds the virtual machine’s settings, such as memory, processors and network. You need both.

Q: Will Windows need activating again after a P2V conversion?
A: Possibly. A retail Windows licence can be moved with the activation troubleshooter. A licence that came with the PC belongs to that PC, so the virtual machine may need its own licence.

Summary

Converting a physical PC to a virtual machine with VMware vCenter Converter Standalone is one of the best ways to keep your old Windows setup when you move to a new computer. The free P2V tool does the heavy lifting, and the result loads straight into VMware Workstation Pro.

How to Install Windows 11 as a Virtual Machine in Workstation Pro
Set up a Windows 11 virtual machine. Virtual machines are kept separate from your PC, which makes them very safe to use.

How to Set Up a Shared Folder in VMware Workstation Pro
Shared folders let you pass files between the virtual machine and your PC.

Add a USB Device to VMware Workstation Pro
Connect external devices to a virtual machine.

Windows 11 Virtual Computer

Create a Windows virtual machine. It’s free and not that difficult to do.

Virtual machines are great for experimenting with. You can try out new operating systems, you can browse the web safely and open suspicious emails. Download new software to try it out, all without risking your host (real) computer.

How to install Windows 11 on VMware Workstation Pro-Step by step guide

Set up a Windows 11 VM even if your PC doesn’t currently support it.

Setup Windows 11 VM

You can find this and other related step by step guides in – At Home Computer VMware Guides

Written by Jeff Porter. I’ve been fixing Windows PCs since 2010 and I’m CompTIA Network+ certified. More about me

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