The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) is a collection of C libraries and utilities designed to help developers create applications that access and manage VMware virtual disk files. 📥 Where to Download
Following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, the primary location for these downloads has transitioned to the Broadcom Support Portal.
Broadcom Support Portal: Log in and search for "VDDK" or navigate to the VMware Cloud Foundation/vSphere section.
Alternative Download Link: Due to recent portal transitions, Broadcom has provided a temporary public box folder containing various VDDK versions for easier access.
Third-Party Managed Links: Specific backup vendors like Acronis provide direct mirror links for specific versions used by their agents, such as VDDK 7.0.1 for Windows. 🛠️ Key Installation Notes
Version Matching: The VDDK version you need is typically determined by the utility using it (e.g., your backup software) rather than the version of vSphere you are running.
Manual Extraction: Most modern VDDK releases (5.5.x and newer) are provided as .zip or .tar.gz archives rather than installers. You must manually extract the files to a directory recognized by your application.
System Requirements: Current VDDK versions generally require 64-bit operating systems. 📂 Common Use Cases
Backups: Applications use VDDK to create snapshots and back up data from virtual disks without interfering with running VMs.
Migrations: Tools like Nutanix Move require specific VDDK versions (e.g., 6.0.3 or 7.0.3.1) to move workloads from VMware to other platforms.
Disk Management: Developers use it to create, mount, and manage VMDK files programmatically. How to manually download VMware VDDK in Windows
The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) is a set of C libraries, code samples, and utilities designed to help developers create applications that can access and manage VMware virtual disk storage. Since the acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, the download process has shifted to Broadcom-hosted platforms. Where to Download VDDK download vmware vddk
You can access the latest and legacy versions of the VDDK through the following official and verified channels: Primary Portal : The latest releases are available on the Broadcom Developer Portal Broadcom Support
: General product downloads and official documentation can be found at the Broadcom Support Portal Alternative Migration Mirror
: For users specifically needing VDDK for migrations (like Nutanix AHV), an official Broadcom-hosted Box mirror exists at broadcom.ent.box.com/v/vddkdownloads Installation Steps (Windows) Once you have downloaded the
file for your target operating system, follow these general steps to install it on a Windows development system: Extract the Archive : Extract the contents of the file into a dedicated folder, typically under C:\Program Files\ Install the Driver : Navigate to the subfolder within the extracted directory. Locate and run vstor2install.bat
as an Administrator to install the necessary virtual storage driver. Verify Registry
to ensure the driver is correctly registered under the system hardware keys as specified in the VDDK Programming Guide Verify Version
: If you need to confirm which version is installed (e.g., within a third-party backup tool like NetBackup), check the properties of vixdisklib.dll under the "Details" tab to see the Product Version Key Capabilities The VDDK provides the foundational tools for: Direct Disk Access
: Reading and writing to VMDK files directly without needing to power on the VM. Backup & Recovery
: Supporting "HotAdd" and "NBD" (Network Block Device) transport modes for efficient data transfer. Format Management : Tools like the vmware-vdiskmanager
utility allow for shrinking, expanding, or converting virtual disk types. version of the VDDK
The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) is a foundational SDK for developers and IT professionals who need to manage or back up VMware virtual disk storage. Whether you are building a custom backup solution or integrating storage management into your environment, obtaining and installing the correct VDDK version is critical for performance and compatibility. What is the VMware VDDK? The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) is
The VDDK is a collection of C/C++ libraries, utilities, and documentation designed to manipulate virtual machine disk files (VMDK format). It is primarily used with the vStorage APIs for Data Protection (VADP) to enable centralized, agentless backups of vSphere virtual machines. Key capabilities include:
Disk Manipulation: Create, convert, expand, and rename virtual disk files.
Advanced Transport: Connect to remote vSphere storage using high-speed modes like SAN or HotAdd.
Backup & Recovery: Perform incremental and thin-provisioned backups or mount virtual disks for off-line anti-virus scanning and patching. How to Download VMware VDDK
The VDDK is now hosted on the Broadcom Support Portal following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware.
Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to the VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) page on Broadcom’s developer site.
Select the Version: Choose the VDDK version that matches your vSphere environment. For instance, VDDK 8.0.x is generally required for vSphere 8.0 environments. Choose the Operating System: Windows: Download the .zip package (approximately 21 MB). Linux: Download the .tar.gz tarball (approximately 30 MB).
Log In: You will need a valid Broadcom or VMware account to complete the download. If you do not have one, you must create a login ID. Compatibility Matrix
Choosing the wrong VDDK version can lead to failed backup jobs or data corruption. Always align your VDDK version with your vSphere release. VMware vSp0.x VDDK 8.0 or higher vSphere 7.x vSphere 6.5 / 6.7 VDDK 6.7.3 vSphere 5.1 / 5.5 / 6.0 VDDK 6.0.2 Installation and Usage
Once downloaded, the VDDK does not use a traditional "installer" but rather requires manual extraction and configuration. On Windows VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK)
Title: Download VMware VDDK
Introduction: The VMware VDDK (Virtual Disk Development Kit) is a software development kit provided by VMware that allows developers to create, manage, and manipulate virtual disks for VMware virtual machines. The VDDK provides a set of APIs and tools that enable developers to interact with VMware virtual disks, including creating, modifying, and converting virtual disks.
Downloading VMware VDDK:
To download VMware VDDK, follow these steps:
VMware VDDK versions and compatibility:
System requirements:
What's included in the VDDK:
Troubleshooting tips:
This is just a draft, and you may want to add or modify sections based on your specific needs.
vim-crt to trust the certificate.Even after a correct download VMware VDDK and installation, problems can arise.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| "Failed to open disk: The system cannot find the file specified" | VDDK version mismatch with ESXi | Download and install the VDDK version matching your ESXi major release. |
| Changed Block Tracking (CBT) data is invalid | Old VDDK libraries cached | Fully uninstall old VDDK, delete leftover folders, reboot, and reinstall. |
| Backup speed extremely slow (<10 MB/s) | Forced NBD (network) mode instead of SAN/HotAdd | Check firewall ports; ensure backup proxy is a virtual machine on the same ESXi host (for HotAdd). |
| Memory access violation (segfault) on Linux | Incorrect LD_LIBRARY_PATH | Ensure no conflicting VMware libraries (like libvixDiskLib.so) exist in other paths. |
Do not download VDDK from random third-party websites or file repositories. VMware requires a free registration, but the files are cryptographically signed. Always use the official VMware Customer Connect portal. Go to the VMware website : Navigate to
Step-by-step download instructions:
.exe or Linux .bundle).Pro Tip: Bookmark the direct filter for VDDK downloads, as VMware frequently updates the portal layout.