Hello. I've been developing a e-commerce website using a Shape5 site shaper template (template setup with content) but it was based on the older 3.6.2 Joomla. I updated Joomla to 3.6.5 and I think I updated one of the Virtuemart plugins and it was fine.
Then I tried updating Joomla to 3.8.1 and it seems to have gotten rid of Virtuemart in my administration panels and menus which has taken away my ability to manage it. The plugins and component are still there however and it is still functioning on the front end of the website. I looked at the VM website which really lacks in info especially regards to anything past 3.7.x Joomla and their website lacks https certificates currently so I can't even download and reinstall VM. Anyone have experience running VM on 3.8.x Joomla. Problems?
VM was running fine with J3.8 - but that was about 5-6 years ago. These old versions would not run on current PHP versions - PHP8.1/8.2
You don't mention which VM version you are trying to use, and it seems you have the wrong (outdated) URL for VM files. Try https://dev.virtuemart.net/projects/virtuemart/files
Why not set up a site using later versions using a preconfigured J/VM package and then install your chosen template?
eg https://dev.virtuemart.net/attachments/download/1364/VirtueMart4.0.20_Joomla_3.10.11-Stable-Full_Package.zip