When a VMDK is "deleted," only the file system entry (directory index) is removed; the -flat.vmdk data blocks remain until overwritten.
Recovering a VMDK (Virtual Machine Disk) from a datastore usually involves one of two scenarios: either the small is missing but the large -flat.vmdk (the actual data) remains, or the entire disk has been deleted and needs forensic recovery . 1. Recreating a Missing Descriptor File recover vmdk from datastore
The moment you realize a VMDK is missing, you must to the datastore. In a VMFS (Virtual Machine File System) environment, "deleted" files are not immediately erased; their space is simply marked as available for new data. When a VMDK is "deleted," only the file
: Open the VM’s .vmx file to see if the disk uses lsilogic , pvscsi , or another controller. Recreating a Missing Descriptor File The moment you