How to Create macOS Ventura VMDK for Virtual Machine

by Admin

macOS Ventura was released in WWDC 2022. It was released with tons of new features and amazing changes. We are not going to deep dive into what new features or changes are added or what features were removed, as we are here to create a macOS Ventura VMDK file. For those who are interested in knowing more about the features and changes in macOS Ventura, they can use this link.

Before we start the process of creating a VMDK for macOS, you will need to understand that VMDK is a Virtual Machine Disk File or disk image file. It means that you are going to have an identical image of your macOS.

The VMDK file is used on different Virtual Machines. The file format can’t be used on Mac or Macbooks to perform a clean installation. It is only limited to virtual machines only.

Table of Contents

How to Create macOS Ventura VMDK?

I have already mentioned that you can’t use VMDK on Mac or MacBook, nor you are able to create one on Mac or MacBook directly. For creating a VMDK file, you will need to possess a macOS inside the virtual machine. For this, you will need to download VMware (install it on your system) and then you will install macOS Ventura on VMware.

You will need an ISO or DMG file of macOS Ventura before you start the installation of macOS Ventura on VMware. Here we have used VMware, but you can use any other software that you feel confident with. Virtualization software such as VirtualBox is a great alternative to VMware.

1- Select Virtual Disk Type

Once you have successfully installed your macOS Ventura on VMware, now you will stop the virtual machine. Make sure the virtual machine is not running in the background. Now you will select the virtual machine of macOS Ventura and click on Edit Virtual Machine Settings.

virtual machine settings - How to Create macOS Ventura VMDK — virtual machine settings

Inside the Virtual Machine Settings, you are going to select Memory. Then you will click on Add button.

You are now moved to another window. In Hardware Type, you will select the Hard Disk option and click on Next.

select a disk type - SATA recommended — select a disk type – SATA recommended

In Select a Disk Type, you have different options. For Virtual Disk Type, you are going to select SATA (Recommended) option. Here are the options that you will see on your screen.

IDE
SCSI
SATA(Recommended)
NVMe

Select the SATA (Recommended) option, you will click on Next.

2- Create a new Virtual Disk for macOS

In this window, you will select Create a new virtual disk option and then you click on Next.

This will be the step where you will begin the creation of the VMDK file. This step will continue further in the next steps.

3- Store a Virtual Disk

You will be asked to Allocate all disk space now with other options. First of all, you are going to uncheck the box beside the Allocate all disk space now option.

Then you will insert a total of 20 GB for Maximum Disk Size.

Don’t forget to select Store a virtual disk as a single file option and click on Next.

You can also select the Split virtual disk into multiple files. However; you are recommended to select the first option for improved performance and stability. Splitting virtual disks into multiple files can also cause errors.

specify disk file location — Store a virtual disk as a single file

First, you will put your VMDK file name then you will select the location of your VMDK file. Click on Browse and select the location where you want to place your newly created VMDK file. Once you have selected the location, you will click on Finish.

4- Erase Hard disk through disk utility

Go to your virtual machine settings and select the newly created VMDK file of macOS Ventura. Run the virtual machine and the first thing you will see is an error. You will find an error stating that it can’t open the hard disk on your VMware.

This is quite a simple error that can be solved easily. For this, you are going to click on Initialize and select Disk Utility.

NOTE: if you can’t find the Initialize option then you will open Spotlight and there select Disk Utility.

You are now placed in Disk Utility. Here, you will find the VMware Virtual SATA Hard Disk option on the left pane of your screen. Select the VMware Virtual SATA Hard Disk option and click on Erase.

disk partition properties - Create macOS Ventura VMDK — disk partition properties

Select one of the disks on your screen and format it. Make sure you have selected the properties of your disk as;

Name: macOS Ventura

Format: Mac OS X Extended (Journaled)

Scheme: GUID Partition Map

Once you have formatted the disk then you will click on Done.

And now you have successfully created a macOS Ventura VMDK file. Now this VMDK file can be used on any Virtual Machine. That is how you create a macOS Ventura VMDK file, if you got any error during or after then comment down.

If you want then you can download macOS Ventura VMDK from the direct link here.

How to mount VMDK files on macOS?

For running VMDK files you will need any virtualization platform. Since you can’t run it directly on macOS then you will need third-party apps such as VMware. Inside the VMware, you are going to create a virtual machine and then select the VMDK file. Once selected then you will run the VMDK file of macOS Ventura on a virtual machine.

How to install macOS Ventura from VMDK?

If you want to perform a clean installation of macOS Ventura on a Mac or MacBook using a VMDK file, then you are wasting your time. With your VMDK file, you are not even able to upgrade your current macOS. For using the VMDK file, you are going to create a new virtual machine on VMware or VirtualBox.

If you have already created one with macOS inside, then well and good. Else create a new virtual machine and go to settings. Inside the settings, you are going to configure the settings and select the VMDK file.

Now exit the settings and run the macOS Ventura virtual machine. You will probably see an error related to the hard disk, use the last step above and enjoy your macOS Ventura.

Last Words:

Those are here to check on how to create a macOS Ventura VMDK file, have noticed that I have created it on VMware. They are requested to perform the exact same procedure on VirtualBox too. They probably won’t experience any sort of error, but those who do. Please comment down. This way, I will be able to help others who are experiencing the error.

How to Create macOS Ventura VMDK for Virtual Machine