lsdel -u /vmfs/volumes/DatastoreName/
A common scenario is that only the small descriptor file was deleted, while the massive -flat.vmdk (where the actual data lives) remains. Command/Method 1 Identify the exact size of the -flat.vmdk file. ls -l [VM_NAME]-flat.vmdk 2 Create a temporary VMDK of the exact same size. vmkfstools -c [SIZE] -d thin temp.vmdk 3 Rename the new descriptor to match your old file. mv temp.vmdk [OLD_NAME].vmdk 4 Edit the descriptor to point to the original flat file. Use vi to change the RW line to point to -flat.vmdk . 3. Recovery via Specialized Software recover deleted vmdk
This is the most reliable method if you have a backup solution in place: recover deleted vmdk