Problem:

You have an existing vdmk (virtual disk) file and need to use it in Vmware Workstation Player in Ubuntu 20.04

Solution:

To solve it, you have to create a new virtual machine. Then add the hard disk and setup as EFI or BIOS boot.

Step by step:

  1. In Workstation, go to File > New > Virtual Machine.
  2. Select Custom and click Next.
  3. Select the hardware compatibility you require and click Next.
  4. In the Guest Operating System Installation selection screen, select I will install the Operating System later and click Next.
  5. Select the guest operating system that is installed, including the version.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Provide a file name and choose the location where you want to save the virtual machine.
  8. Click Next.
  9. If necessary, adjust the number of processors and number of cores per processor required by the virtual machine and then click Next.
  10. Adjust the amount of memory to be allocated to your virtual machine and click Next.
  11. Select the desired networking type for your virtual machine and click Next.
  12. Select Use an Existing Virtual Disk and click Next.
  13. Click Browse and navigate to the location of your existing .vmdk file.
  14. Select the .vmdk file and click Next.

¡NOTE! in the version 16 you have to create a blank disk and after the vm creation. Delete the “new” disk in Virtual Machine Settings.

After that,

  1. Open the vmx-file in a texteditor.
  2. Search for the line
    firmware = "efi" and change it for:
    firmware = "bios"
  3. On next boot the VM will start with a legacy BIOS but will very very likely fail to boot.

Source:

https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2010196 https://communities.vmware.com/t5/VMware-Workstation-Player/How-to-change-the-BIOS-UEFI-to-Lagecy-Bios-of-a-virtual-machine/td-p/923771