When you download a virtual machine from a remote server, Workstation Pro copies the virtual machine from the remote host and datastore. The original virtual machine remains on the host system, and a copy is created on the Workstation Pro host in the location you specify.
This feature is available for virtual machines on remote servers. It is not available for shared virtual machines or standard virtual machines on Workstation Pro hosts.
Prerequisites
Connect to the remote server that hosts the virtual machine you want to download. See Connect to a Remote Server.
Verify that the remote server is running ESX, ESXi, or vCenter Server 4.1 or later.
If the virtual machine is powered on or suspended, power it off.