How to Recover Data from VMware Disk [Updated Guide for 2024]

A virtual machine (VM) serves as an emulator of a computer system, replicating the functionalities of a physical computer by employing computer architectures. VMware is a popular platform, and consequently, issues such as "VMware disk file not found" and "VMware data recovery" frequently arise. Users seek to safely recover data from the VMware disk.

Upon completing this article, you will grasp how to retrieve data from a VMware disk.

Primary Reasons for the VMware Disk File Not Found

Similar to other programs, Virtual Machine disk files are susceptible to issues, and if a user encounters the "VMware Disk File Not Found" error, hard disk data recovery should be their primary concern. Below are the most common causes of VMware file loss:

"Failed to start VMware"

If the virtual machine were to lose power, VMware would be unable to start and would display an error message stating "Error during powering on: Failed to start the virtual machine." Upon restarting VMware, you risk losing any unsaved files within the virtual environment.

"Powering on a VMware failed"

When the VMware Authorization service is not functioning or lacks Administrator privileges, you will encounter the following error message: "The VMware Authorization Service is not running." Consequently, you might be unable to access your data and files on the VMware disk.

A hardware failure has occurred

A hardware failure refers to an issue with a computer system's electrical circuitry or mechanical components, such as disks and tapes. Similar to other files, VMware files are susceptible to loss when a hardware failure occurs.

VMware Data Recovery via Software: Recover VMware File(s) When it comes to recovering data from a VMware virtual machine, there are several software solutions available that can help you restore lost or damaged files. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to recover VMware files using specialized software: 1. **Select a Reliable VMware Recovery Tool**: Choose a reputable and reliable VMware data recovery software such as tools Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, or VMFS Recovery. Ensure the software is compatible with your VMware version and operating system. 2. **Download and Install**: Download the chosen software from its official website and install it on your computer. 3. **Connect the Affected Virtual Machine**: Connect the VMware virtual machine's VMDK (Virtual Machine Disk) file to your physical system. This can be done by adding the VMDK as a new hard disk in your VMware environment or using tools like VMware Converter or Disk Mount utilities. 4. **Launch the Recovery Software**: Run the installed data recovery software. It will typically display a user-friendly interface with options to scan for lost or deleted files. 5. **Scan the VMDK File**: Select the connected VMDK file and initiate a scan. Most software offers two scanning modes: Quick Scan for recently deleted files and Deep Scan for extensively damaged or older files. 6. **Preview and Select Files**: Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Preview the files to ensure they are the ones you need to recover. 7. **Recover VMware Files**: Select the desired files and choose a safe location on your computer to save them. Avoid saving the recovered files on the same VMDK to prevent potential data overwriting. 8. **Verify Data Integrity**: After the recovery process, verify the integrity and functionality of the recovered files by opening and accessing them. 9. **Backup Your Data**: To prevent future data loss, regularly backup your VMware virtual machines and their files to external storage or cloud services. Remember that the effectiveness of data recovery depends on the extent of the damage and the quality of the recovery tool used. Always test the software with a free trial version before purchasing to ensure it suits your needs.

A few VMware files might be created using VMware and stored on the local hard drive. Consequently, if these VMware files become damaged or go missing, the data on the virtual hard drive is lost. Hence, you might be keen to recover the VMware file.

You can utilize Data Recovery Wizard tools to recover data from VMware.

Firstly, you need to obtain the tool called Data Recovery Wizard. After that, install it on your computer and proceed with the following steps.

Step 1. Choose a drive to scan

To begin recovering DiskPart deleted files, you first need to identify where the files were stored before they were deleted. The Data Recovery Wizard tool will display a list of all the drives loaded on your computer, so it's up to you to choose the correct drive to scan. Hover your mouse pointer over the drive and click "Scan."

Step 2. Check the scanned results

Upon completion of the scanning process, navigate to the left panel and select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders.接下来, click on "Filter" to display only the specific file types you're interested in, such as photographs, videos, Word documents, PDF files, and so on.

Step 3. Preview and recover

Once you locate the desired files that were deleted by DiskPart, you can double-click each file individually for a preview or use the "Preview" button to check its integrity. Finally, click "Recover." Make sure to choose a different drive to save the recovered files to prevent data overwriting.

VMware Data Recovery: Recover Missing VMware Partitions

Under certain circumstances, the VMware file you're about to recover might be corrupted due to invisible disk volumes. Utilize Partition Recovery tools to search for deleted partitions on the mounted drive and recover the lost partition.

As soon as the tool Partition Recovery locates and retrieves the lost partitions, they are promptly displayed in the Disk Explorer window, enabling you to initiate further VMware Partitions recovery.

Follow the steps below to recover lost partitions containing VMware files: 1. **Backup Data**: Before attempting any recovery, it's crucial to back up your existing data to prevent further loss. Connect an external storage device and copy all non-essential files. 2. **Download a Reliable Partition Recovery Tool**: Choose a reputable partition recovery software such as tools Data Recovery Wizard, Stellar Partition Manager, or Recuva. Ensure the software is compatible with your operating system. 3. **Install and Launch the Software**: Install the chosen tool on your computer and launch it. Avoid installing the software on the same drive where the lost partition is located. 4. **Scan the Drive**: Select the hard drive that previously contained the lost VMware partition and initiate a scan. The software will search for deleted, lost, or damaged partitions. 5. **Deep Scan (if necessary)**: If the quick scan doesn't find the lost partition, perform a deep scan. This may take longer but will search more thoroughly for lost data. 6. **Preview and Select Files**: Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. You can preview them to ensure they are the ones you need. 7. **Recover VMware Files**: Choose the VMware files or entire partition you wish to recover and click on the "Recover" button. Save the recovered files to a different location than the original one to avoid overwriting any data. 8. **Verify Recovered Files**: After the recovery process, verify the integrity and functionality of the recovered VMware files by opening them in VMware Workstation or Fusion. 9. **Create a New Partition (optional)**: If needed, you can create a new partition using the partition management feature of your recovery tool or a dedicated partition manager software to store your VMware files safely. 10. **Regular Backups**: To prevent future data loss, establish a regular backup routine for your important VMware files and partitions. Remember that the success of the recovery depends on the extent of data loss and the condition of the storage device.

Step 1. Run the Partition Recovery tool on your PC.

Select the disk or device where you lost partition(s), click "Scan" to continue.

Step 2. Wait for the scanning process to complete. Translation: Step 2. Wait for the scanning process to finish.

让程序扫描所选磁盘并找到丢失的分区。

Step 3. Preview and restore the lost partition(s).

Double-click on the partition that is labeled as "Lost" with "Good" recoverability.

Preview the contents of the lost partition. Click "OK," and then click "Proceed" to begin restoring the lost partition.

Step 4. Click "Recover Now" to complete the partition recovery process.

Note: If the program warns you of a conflict, first back up the listed partition containing essential data to an external hard drive. Proceed to execute the final operation to recover your lost partition.

How to Manually Recover Data from a VMware Disk

Aside from the two methods mentioned above, here's how to manually recover data from VMware, which is suitable for experienced users.

Step 1. Press Windows + R, open the "Run" dialog box, and type CMD to initiate the command prompt.

Step 2. Browse to the local installation of the VMware Development Kit.

Step 3. Next, navigate to the following path: Virtual Disc Development Kit - Bin - C: Program Files - VMware - Virtual Disc Development Kit

Step 4. Type "VMware-vsdiskmanager.exe" in the command prompt.

Step 5. Enter the code.

VMware Data Recovery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 4 additional questions and answers to enhance your understanding of VMware data recovery: 1. Q: What is VMware data recovery? A: VMware data recovery refers to the process of restoring lost or corrupted virtual machine (VM) files, configurations, or entire VMs from backups or snapshots within a VMware environment. It ensures business continuity by enabling quick access to critical data in case of a disaster, hardware failure, or accidental deletion. 2. Q: How does VMware backup work? A: VMware backup involves creating copies of VMs at regular intervals, typically using backup software that's either native to VMware (like vSphere Backup) or third-party solutions. The backup process can be configured to snapshot the VM, freeze its state, copy the data to a secure location, and then release the snapshot. This ensures consistent and recoverable backups without impacting the running VMs. 3. Q: What are the different methods for VMware data recovery? A: There are several methods for VMware data recovery, including: - Incremental Forever backups: These only back up the changes made since the last full backup, reducing storage requirements. - Synthetic Full backups: This method combines all previous incremental backups to create a new full backup, ensuring a complete recovery point. - File-level recovery: Allows users to restore individual files or folders from a backup, without having to recover the entire VM. - VM cloning: Creating a duplicate of a VM for testing or recovery purposes without affecting the original. - Snapshots: Short-term recovery solution that captures the state of a VM at a specific point in time. 4. Q: How long does VMware data recovery typically take? A: The time it takes to recover VMware data depends on various factors such as the size of the VM, the type of backup, network speed, and the chosen recovery method. Generally, file-level recovery is faster than restoring an entire VM. With modern backup solutions and efficient recovery processes, data recovery can range from just a few minutes to a few hours. However, planning and testing your recovery strategy can help minimize downtime in case of an actual incident.

1. What are VMware files? VMware files are files used by VMware, a popular virtualization software that allows users to create and run multiple virtual machines on a single physical computer. These files store various components and settings required for the virtual environment to function. Some common types of VMware files include: - **VMX file**: This is the primary configuration file for a virtual machine. It contains settings such as hardware configurations, network settings, and guest operating system information. - **VMDK file**: This is the virtual disk file format used by VMware. It stores the data and files of the virtual machine's hard drive, similar to an actual physical disk. - **VMSS file**: These files contain snapshot information of a virtual machine's memory state at a specific point in time. Snapshots allow users to revert to a previous state if needed. - **VMDM file**: This file represents the metadata associated with a virtual machine's snapshot. - **VSP file**: This file stores the saved state of a virtual machine when it is suspended or paused. - **VSWP file**: VMware swap file, which acts as virtual memory for the guest operating system when its physical memory (RAM) is full. These files are essential for the proper functioning and management of virtual machines in the VMware ecosystem.

VMware files are virtual disk image files, typically with the VDMK extension. This file format is utilized by VMware and other virtual machine platforms to represent storage mediums for virtual hard disks, where information is stored.

2. Why is the VMDK file corrupted? The VMDK file might become corrupted due to several reasons. Here are some common causes: 1. **Hardware Issues**: Faulty or unstable storage devices, such as hard drives, can lead to corruption in VMDK files. 2. **Interrupted Write Operations**: If a virtual machine's write operation is interrupted abruptly, for example, due to a power outage or system crash, it can result in corruption. 3. **Malware or Virus Infection**: Malicious software can damage or corrupt the VMDK file, impacting its functionality. 4. **Improper Virtual Machine Management**: Incorrectly handling or managing virtual machines, like sudden shutdowns or improper cloning, can cause corruption. 5. **File System Errors**: Issues with the underlying file system, such as NTFS or FAT, can lead to corruption in VMDK files. 6. **Incompatible Tools or Software**: Using incompatible or outdated tools to manipulate VMDK files can sometimes result in corruption. 7. **Overwritten or Corrupted Headers**: The headers of a VMDK file contain vital information. If they get overwritten or damaged, the file may become inaccessible. To resolve the issue, you can try using data recovery tools, performing a checksum comparison, or using VMware's built-in mechanisms to repair the VMDK file. It's also essential to have regular backups to minimize data loss in case of corruption.

Some of the most common reasons include:

1. There has been a viral outbreak. 2. There has been a hardware malfunction. 3. Software corruption has occurred. 4. Errors have been made by users. 5. The guest operating system was shut down incorrectly.

3. How do I recover a VMware from a snapshot? To recover a VMware virtual machine from a snapshot, follow these steps: 1. **Open VMware Workstation or vSphere Client:** Launch the appropriate VMware application (VMware Workstation for desktop environments or vSphere Client for managed environments) and connect to your VMware host. 2. **Select the Virtual Machine:** Find the virtual machine in the list of powered-on or powered-off VMs that you want to recover from a snapshot. 3. **Open the Snapshot Manager:** Right-click on the virtual machine and choose "Snapshot" > "Manage Snapshots" or "Snapshots" depending on the version of VMware you're using. 4. **View Snapshots:** The Snapshot Manager window will open, displaying a tree view of all available snapshots. Find the snapshot you want to revert to. 5. **Revert to Snapshot:** Click on the desired snapshot and then click on the "Revert to This Snapshot" button (or similar option, like "Restore" in vSphere). A warning message may appear, confirming if you want to discard any changes made after the snapshot was taken. 6. **Confirm Revert Action:** Read the warning carefully, and if you're sure you want to proceed, click "Yes" or "OK" to start the revert process. 7. **Wait for the Revert Process:** VMware will now revert the virtual machine's state to the point when the snapshot was taken. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the virtual machine and the amount of data changed since the snapshot. 8. **Verify the Recovery:** Once the revert is complete, power on the virtual machine to ensure it's running as expected with the snapshot's configuration. Remember that reverting to a snapshot will discard any changes made to the virtual machine after the snapshot was created, so be cautious when using this feature.

1. Step 1. Navigate via the path: Virtual Machine - Snapshots.
2. Step 2. Select the snapshot you wish to restore.
3. Step 3. Prior to restoring the virtual machine to the selected snapshot state, click Save to create a new snapshot, or proceed without saving a snapshot.

4. How to save the recovered data from VMware? To save the recovered data from VMware, follow these steps: 1. **Launch the Data Recovery Tool**: Start the data recovery software that you have used to scan and recover your files from the VMware virtual machine. 2. **Select Recovered Files**: In the software interface, navigate to the list of recovered files and folders. Make sure the files you want to save are checked or highlighted. 3. **Choose a Destination**: Select a safe location on your local computer or an external storage device where you want to save the recovered data. It's crucial not to save the data back to the original VMware virtual machine or the same datastore to avoid overwriting any remaining lost data. 4. **Start the Saving Process**: Click on the 'Save' or 'Export' button in the software to initiate the saving process. The time taken will depend on the size of the files and your system's performance. 5. **Monitor Progress**: Keep an eye on the progress bar or any status updates provided by the software while it saves the files. Do not interrupt the process until it's complete. 6. **Verify Data Integrity**: Once the saving is finished, open the saved files to verify their integrity and ensure that the data has been successfully recovered. 7. **Backup the Recovered Data**: To prevent future data loss, make regular backups of the recovered data to a separate, secure location. Remember, different data recovery tools might have slightly varying interfaces and steps, so consult the software's user manual or online support for specific instructions.

In the 'File Saving' window, choose a location to store the recovered data and files. You can opt to save them on CDs or DVDs, create virtual ISO images, or upload them to the web using an FTP server.