Vmware Flat.vmdk _verified_ -
The most common confusion occurs when users download a VM or access a datastore via the command line: Difference between .vmdk and -flat.vmdk | VMware vSphere
Always use VMware tools (vSphere, Workstation) or vmkfstools to manage VMDKs. Never manually move or delete -flat.vmdk files. vmware flat.vmdk
Deleting the "-flat" file = deleting the VM's hard drive. Always back it up. The most common confusion occurs when users download

