How to create a VM from OVA/OVF file in VMware ESXi

Written By Christian Castagna (Administrator)

Updated at March 18th, 2025

→ Applies to: VMware ESXi 6.5 and above

 

Step 1. Login to VMware ESXi GUI (replace <your_ip_address_or_hostname> with the correct ip/hostname)

https://<your_ip_address_or_hostname>

 

Step 2. Click on Virtual Machines

 

Step 3. Click on Create / Register VM

 

Step 4. Select Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or OVA file and click Next

 

Step 5. Choose a name for the new VM, drag and drop the OVA file and click Next

 

Step 6. Select a datastore and click Next

 

Step 7. Select the Deployment options and click Finish

  • Network mappings: select the port group;
  • Disk provisioning: select the type of virtual disk;
  • Power on automatically: whether to turn it on as soon as the OVA deployment is finished.