Download Vmware Vddk ((top)) May 2026

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 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). download vmware vddk

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)

License

VMware VDDK is available under a proprietary license. By downloading, you agree to the terms of the VMware Software Development Kit (SDK) License Agreement.

Error 4: Download Page Shows “No Entitlement”

Title: How to Download VMware VDDK (Virtual Disk Development Kit)

The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) is a essential set of C/C++ libraries, tools, and utilities that allow backup and storage software to connect directly to VMware vSphere, access virtual disk files (VMDK), and perform efficient, file‑level or image‑level backups.

If you’re setting up a backup solution (e.g., Veeam, Commvault, Nakivo, or a custom script using vmware-vdiskmanager), you’ll need the correct VDDK version for your vSphere environment.

Step 5: Accept the Terms and Download

Read and accept the VMware End User License Agreement (EULA). Then click the "Download Now" button for the .exe (Windows) or .tar.gz (Linux) package. The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) is

Direct URL pattern (example – will change over time): https://developer.vmware.com/web/sdk/ (VMware often redirects legacy VDDK pages to the Developer Portal. As of 2025, the primary link is through Customer Connect or VMware Developer Center at developer.vmware.com).

Pro Tip: Bookmark the official VMware Developer SDKs page for future updates.

The Download Process

Step 1: Navigate to the official VMware Customer Connect portal: https://customerconnect.vmware.com

Step 2: Log in with your VMware credentials. If you don’t have an account, click “Register” to create one (this is free and only requires email verification).

Step 3: Once logged in, hover over “Products” in the top navigation bar and click “A-Z Product List.”

Step 4: Scroll down or search for “Virtual Disk Development Kit” (it is often listed under ‘V’ for ‘Virtual’ or within the vSphere category).

Step 5: Click on the product name. You will see a list of available VDDK versions. As of 2025-2026, you will typically find versions ranging from VDDK 6.0 up to VDDK 8.0.3 or later. License VMware VDDK is available under a proprietary

Step 6: Select the version that matches your vSphere environment (see the version compatibility section below).

Step 7: Choose your operating system – VDDK is available for:

Step 8: Click the “Download Now” button. The file size is typically between 50 MB and 150 MB.

Step 9: If prompted to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA), read and accept it.

Pro Tip: Do not download VDDK from third-party websites or file-sharing platforms. Only use official VMware channels to avoid malware or broken libraries.

On Linux (Backup Appliance)

  1. Extract the .tar.gz archive: 
    tar -xzvf VMware-vddk-7.0.x-xxxxxx.x86_64.tar.gz
  2. Move to /usr/lib/vmware-vddk or similar: 
    sudo mv vmware-vddk /usr/lib/
  3. Set environment variables: 
    export VDDK_HOME=/usr/lib/vmware-vddk
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$VDDK_HOME/lib64:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH
  4. Add these exports to your backup user's .bashrc file for persistence.

Q3: Does VDDK support thin-provisioned disks?

A: Yes. VDDK can read thin VMDKs and report allocated vs. virtual size. But writing to a thin disk without proper alignment can cause it to thicken. Use the QueryAllocatedBlocks API.

Step 4: Select the Platform

VDDK is available for:

Click the appropriate "Go to Downloads" button.