If the file is completely missing from the Datastore Browser, you will need third-party tools that can scan the layer for orphaned inodes.
Always attempt backup restoration before any recovery tool to avoid risking further datastore changes.
A VMDK file is a virtual disk file used by VMware to store virtual machine (VM) data. It's essentially a container file that holds the VM's operating system, programs, and data. recover deleted vmdk
If no backups exist, you must use tools that are "VMFS-aware" (capable of reading VMware’s File System). Standard file recovery tools like Recuva often fail to see deleted files on VMFS datastores.
VMDK files can be deleted intentionally or unintentionally, such as: If the file is completely missing from the
Native recovery is possible only in specific scenarios. Otherwise, move to data recovery tools.
Losing a file can bring your entire virtual infrastructure to a halt. Whether the deletion happened via an accidental "Delete from Disk" in vSphere or a file system error within the datastore, the data often remains physically present on the disk for a short window. It's essentially a container file that holds the
Enable SSH on your ESXi host to browse the directory structure directly, as the vSphere Client may sometimes hide partial files. 2. Manual Recovery: Recreating the Descriptor