since 2000
Opening OVF Files
The OVF file type is primarily associated with VirtualBox.
What is an OVF file?
OVF files mostly belong to VirtualBox by Oracle. OVF (Open Virtualization Format) is a standard for packaging and distributing software programs for virtual machine installations. The Distributed Management Task Force(DMTF), a task force of 160+ companies including Dell, Microsoft, Oracle, and Vmware, created this specification. It was later adopted by ANSI. OVF is the name of the standard but it is also used to represent a file in created this format. It is designed to work as a template for creating pre-configured virtual machines for easy deployment.
OVF files are based on XML and describe the properties of the intended virtual system. It can be extended in many ways, though while affecting portability at the same time.
The OVF package structure contains a single directory that can hold multiple files which include: optional ISO optical disk image files, certificates, a descriptor file, an optional manifest file, and other resource files. It is a compressed file format that is easier to distribute.
OVF files are distributed as OVA files, which simply referrers to a single copy of the full OVF. OVA files are often stored in the TAR format. To create OVF templates for a virtual machine, you export the machine in the OVF format. Most virtual machine programs provide a feature to export the select machine, which can be found by browsing the application menus. For example, in VirtualBox, the File menu contains the option to Export Appliance, which provides further optional parameters.
An OVF template once created cannot be edited, but can be open in a variety of virtual machine programs which include: VirtualBox, Vagrant, ovftool, qemu-img.
Other files associated with OVF include OVA.
OVF files are based on XML and describe the properties of the intended virtual system. It can be extended in many ways, though while affecting portability at the same time.
The OVF package structure contains a single directory that can hold multiple files which include: optional ISO optical disk image files, certificates, a descriptor file, an optional manifest file, and other resource files. It is a compressed file format that is easier to distribute.
OVF files are distributed as OVA files, which simply referrers to a single copy of the full OVF. OVA files are often stored in the TAR format. To create OVF templates for a virtual machine, you export the machine in the OVF format. Most virtual machine programs provide a feature to export the select machine, which can be found by browsing the application menus. For example, in VirtualBox, the File menu contains the option to Export Appliance, which provides further optional parameters.
An OVF template once created cannot be edited, but can be open in a variety of virtual machine programs which include: VirtualBox, Vagrant, ovftool, qemu-img.
Other files associated with OVF include OVA.
How to open an OVF file
You need a suitable software like VirtualBox to open an OVF file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your OVF file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a OVF file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.
Online OVF Text Viewer
or drag and drop it here
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How to extract texts from OVF files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...
If you want to extract texts from OVF file or capture a screenshot, you can use our free Online OVF File Viewer:- To do this, click the button "Choose your .ovf file to view" on this page.
- Your OVF file will then be displayed in the browser.
- Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
- Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
- Download the converted file.
Programs that open and convert OVF files:
- VirtualBox by Oracle
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. OVF files are often referred to as VirtualBox data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
- VMWare Workstation (open virtualization file) by VMwareVMWare Workstation is a hosted hypervisor that runs on Windows x64 and Linux operating systems. This software allows users to set up virtual machines on a single physical machine, where each virtual machine can execute its own operating system. The OVF file describes an open-source, secure, and flexible format for the packaging and distribution of one or more virtual machines. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: VMWare company information, VMWare Workstation Wikipedia
Technical Data for OVF File Extension
File classification:
Data
Related links:
Mime type:
The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.
ProgramID: VMware.OVFPackage
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\VMware\VMware Player\vmplayer.exe -t
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\VMware\VMware Player\vmplayer.exe -t
an ovf open virtualization file is a special file format by Oracle and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.
How to solve problems with OVF files
- Associate the OVF file extension with the correct application.
- Update your software that should actually open open virtualization files. Because only the current version supports the latest OVF file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Oracle manufacturer website after an available VirtualBox update.
- To make sure that your OVF file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
- Click here to open your .OVF file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.