If you still see the error:
Open and connect using the ESXi host IP and root credentials.
This is the gold standard. It converts the VMDK to a downloadable format on the fly. unable to download vmdk file from datastore
For very large disks that keep timing out, use the OVF Tool. It is more resilient than a browser download. Open your command prompt or terminal.
You don’t need to download the raw VMDK if you just want the VM contents. If you still see the error: Open and
The Virtual Machine (VM) is powered on or has an active snapshot, locking the file.
Troubleshooting "Unable to Download VMDK from Datastore" – A VMware Admin’s Guide For very large disks that keep timing out, use the OVF Tool
VMware locks VMDK files while a VM is running to prevent data corruption. Log into the . Locate the VM associated with the VMDK. Right-click the VM and select Power > Shut Down Guest OS . Once powered off, try the download again.
Enable SSH on your ESXi host.