What is MIME type "application/x-vmdk-disk"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type application/x-vmdk-disk marks files that hold a virtual machine’s disk image.
An image stored this way works like a physical hard disk for a virtual computer, holding the operating system, programs, and data.
It is common in virtualization environments where applications like VMware use it to run virtual machines.

Main use: Storing and managing a virtual machine’s disk image.
Backup and migration: It helps in backing up a VM or shifting it between systems.
Snapshot support: Versions of the disk can be saved for recovery purposes.

The non-standard prefix x- signals that this MIME type is not officially registered with IANA.
Files using this type are usually identified via their file extension VMDK.
For further technical details on MIME types, check out MIME on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.vmdk

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-vmdk-disk

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-vmdk-disk">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-vmdk-disk');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.vmdk

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.