Can you recover a deleted virtual machine VMware? As we know, VMDK files hold the vital data and system configurations needed for smooth operations. However, encountering a scenario where a VMDK file is accidentally deleted can lead to significant disruption and data loss. Try the methods and tools available for recovering a deleted VMDK file in this article.
When server was down, we accidently removed some of the *.vmdk files. Now the server doesn't come up. We tried VMFS Recovery software, but looks like the software cannot recovering the *.vmdk files themselves. I wonder if anybody can help. Thanks.
VMDK - a file format used by VMware stores the contents of a virtual machine’s hard drive. These files contain everything from the operating system to user data and applications.
Deletion of VMDK files can occur due to the following reasons:
Losing VMDK files can result in downtime, data loss and potential financial impact. Next, we will provide steps to deleted vmdk from database so as to reduce the risk of data loss.
VMware provides several built-in recovery options that can be used to restore deleted VMDK files. These include the use of VMware snapshots, which capture the state of a virtual machine at a specific point in time. By reverting to a snapshot, it is possible to recover deleted VMDK files.
1. Log into the vSphere Client and navigate to the virtual machine that had the VMDK file deleted.
2. Select the “Snapshots” tab to view available snapshots.
3. Choose the snapshot taken before the file deletion and click “Revert.”
4. Confirm the settings. This will restore the VM to its previous state, including the deleted VMDK file.
However, if you manually delete the snapshot file without merging it, you cannot restore the deleted vmdk.file, you must redeploy the VM and restore it from a backup.
Tip: If the base disk-flat.vmdk is intact, you can try to reboot the machine by attaching the original .vmdk file.
Regular backups are the cornerstone of any effective data recovery strategy. By maintaining up-to-date backups, it is possible to restore deleted VMDK files quickly and efficiently. AOMEI Cyber Backup offers automated VMware backup solutions and cloud storage can further enhance the reliability and accessibility of backup data.
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1. First, regularly backing up VMware ESXi is essential to recover deleted vmdk from database. Only a few simple steps to create complete and independent image backups for VMware ESXi virtual machines.
2. On the Backup Task interface, click … > Restore to start restoring VM from backup.
3. Select the restore content from your VM backups. Click OK. You are allowed to restore entire virtual machine from any selected backup version.
4. Select Restore to original/new location saving the trouble of re-configuring the new VM.
▶ For example, you need to create a new VM on another datastore or host, you select Restore to new location which performs out-of-spacre recovery and restore VM to its available state quickly. ▶ In addition, you can also choose Restore to original location, which will create a new, identical VM directly from your backup to the same place.
By incorporating AOMEI Cyber Backup into your data protection policy, you can rest assured that you will be able to recover deleted VM in VMware and ensure the continuity of your data.
When trying to delete a virtual disk file that is no longer in use, the delete option is unavailable (displayed in gray). Deleting a virtual machine disk fails with the error: Device or resource busy.
You need to find the virtual machine where this.vmdk is mounted and unmount it in order to fix this problem.1. Look for the.vmdk file in the other virtual machine's datastore configuration files (.vmx files). Or run a command to automate the search:
Note: The.vmx file is locked on all systems except the one it is executing on, thus you must perform this command from every computer that can see the datastore.
2. Once the virtual machine that mounted the.vmdk has been found, uninstall it. Navigate to Edit Settings > Hard Disk > Remove.
You can delete the.vmdk file after removing it from the backup virtual machine.
Recovering deleted VMDK files from a datastore is a multi-step process. By following the steps outlined above, IT professionals can effectively restore deleted VMDK files and ensure the continuity of virtual machine operations.
AOMEI Cyber Backup is an essential tool for IT professionals managing virtual environments. By using AOMEI Cyber Backup for your data protection, you can confidently restore deleted VMDK files and ensure the continuity of your virtual machines.