How to Import vdi into Virtualbox in Windows

Virtualbox is an open-source platform that allows you to create virtual machines on your PC.
When you first install Virtualbox, it will ask you to import a .vdi file, but some users reported that they can’t import their .vdi files.

  • VDI stands for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and is a virtualization technology.
  • You can import VDI into Virtualbox to use it as a virtual desktop.
  • The VDI to Virtualbox migration process is easy and will only take you a few minutes.

Manually import the vdi file

  1. Right-click on the Virtualbox icon and select Preferences.
  2. Select the Storage tab.
    Select the Storage tab.
  3. Click on Add button.
  4. Select your .vdi file and click OK.

Create a new VM using Type 1 Vdi

  1. Type 1 Vdi is the old format of Virtualbox, so you might have to convert to a VHD format first.
  2. Open the Windows Settings app and head to Update & Security.
  3. Click on Recovery from the left pane.
    Click on Recovery from the left pane.
  4. Now, select Get Started under Reset this PC.
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

Import a Type 1 Vdi file

  1. Open the VirtualBox Manager and click the File menu.
    Open the VirtualBox Manager and click the File menu.
  2. Select Import from the menu.
  3. Now, select the Import a Virtual Hard Disk (VDI) File option.
  4. Next, select the Type 1 Vdi file you’ve exported from Acronis and click Open.
  5. Finally, the Type 1 Vdi will be imported to VirtualBox, and you should be able to run it.
    Finally, the Type 1 Vdi will be imported to VirtualBox, and you should be able to run it.
  6. Import a Type 2 Vdi file
    Open the VirtualBox Manager and click the File menu.
  7. Select Import from the menu.
  8. Now, select the Import a Virtual Hard Disk (VDI) File option.
  9. Next, select the Type 2 Vdi file you’ve exported from Acronis and click Open.
  10. Finally, the Type 2 Vdi will be imported to VirtualBox and you should be able to run it.
    Finally, the Type 2 Vdi will be imported to VirtualBox and you should be able to run it.

Convert the vdi to ovf

  1. Open the vdi file as a disk in Virtualbox.
  2. Right-click the VBOXADDITIONS_5_2_10_OPENVMS.ova file and select Extract.
    Right-click the VBOXADDITIONS_5_2_10_OPENVMS.ova file and select Extract.
  3. Open the folder and double-click the VBoxAdditions.run file to run it.
  4. The installation process will start.

Convert the vdi file to ovf

  1. Open VirtaulBox using Start > type VirtualBox > open VirtualBox
  2. Select Media > then click on the Add button
    Select Media > then click on the Add button
  3. Select the Vdi file from your drive > click on the Open button
  4. Click Next
  5. Click Finish

Convert the vdi file to vmdk

  1. Download VBoxManage.
  2. Run the command below in a terminal (you’ll need administrator privileges to run this command):
    VBoxManage modifyhd /fromfilename c:/Users/Username/Desktop/test.vdi -filename test.vdi.vmdk.

Convert the vdi file to vhdx

  1. To convert the vdi file to vhdx, download the free VboxHdx Converter tool.
    Install the tool.
    Open the VboxHdx Converter tool.
  2. Select the .vdi file that you want to convert.
    Click Next.
    In the VboxHdx Converter window, select the disk from the drop-down menu.
  3. Click the Convert button.
  4. Now, shut down the virtual machine.
  5. Go to the .vdi file location.
    Go to the .vdi file location.
  6. Right-click on the .vdi file and select Extract all.
  7. Select where to save the .vhd file.
    Select where to save the .vhd file.
  8. Right-click on the newly created .vhd file and select Open with.
  9. Select Virtual Box.
  10. Click on the Add button.
  11. Select the file, and click Open.
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