Recover a Deleted VMware VMDK Virtual Disk on Windows

Updated on Oct 21, 2026 | by Qiling

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Understand the Missing .vmdk File
Check Copies and Protect the Source
Recover with Qiling Deep Data Recovery
Verify the Recovered File
Frequently Asked Questions

A VMware .vmdk represents virtual disk storage. Some virtual disks use multiple associated files or snapshot chains, so finding one similarly named file does not guarantee that the guest system will boot.

Understand the Missing .vmdk File

Power off the virtual machine and identify its complete folder before scanning. Check VMware's registered VM paths, Recycle Bin and separate VM backups. A missing disk descriptor, data extent or snapshot can produce a different problem from a fully deleted base disk.

There are three different situations: the file was deleted, its folder or storage location changed, or the file still exists but does not open. Find out which happened before running a scan. A disk scan can find some deleted local files; it cannot create content that was never saved or repair every damaged file.

Check Copies and Protect the Source

Locate the VM folder and list the configuration, VMDK-related and snapshot files without changing them.
Check host backups and any storage-level snapshots for a consistent VM copy.
Do not consolidate or delete snapshots until the disk chain is understood.

Keep the VM powered off. Do not create another virtual disk in the same folder or write recovery output to the host volume containing the deleted VMDK.

If the disk disconnects repeatedly, clicks, or shows severe read errors, avoid repeated scans and seek a stable copy or professional help. Results also depend on whether the deleted blocks have been overwritten, especially on SSDs.

Recover with Qiling Deep Data Recovery

Qiling Deep Data Recovery can scan storage visible to Windows for deleted local files. Start only after checking existing copies. A result in the file list is a candidate, not proof that the file is complete.

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Step 1. Check the Best Available Copy

Open the likely backup or version-history location first. Copy any surviving .vmdk and related files to a safe destination. If no complete copy is available, close applications that write to the source and launch Qiling Deep Data Recovery.

Step 2. Choose the Scan Mode

Use Fast Scan for a deleted host file, then a deeper scan if the tool offers one and the disk is stable. If the first pass misses the file and the device remains stable, use the deeper scan option in the results rather than repeatedly writing to the source.

Choose Qiling recovery scan mode for .vmdk

Step 3. Select the Source Location

Select the physical host volume that stored the VM folder, not a drive letter inside the guest OS. Confirm the disk model, capacity and drive letter before starting the scan. Never select the recovery destination as the source by mistake.

Select original storage location for .vmdk recovery

Step 4. Review Matching Files

Compare all matching disk components by name and size. Recover the related set together to a different disk. If the original folder is not shown, also search by file type and date. Do not discard earlier versions solely because one preview looks promising.

Review matching .vmdk recovery candidates

Step 5. Recover to Another Drive

Select the best candidates, click Recover, and save them to a different physical drive. Keep the recovered originals unchanged; test copies so a failed open or import cannot damage your only result.

Save recovered .vmdk files to another drive

Verify the Recovered File

Test only a copy in an isolated VM. Confirm snapshot order and run a guest file-system check only on the copy after preserving the original.

If a recovered file is incomplete, compare older backups and alternate scan results. Do not rename an unrelated file to .vmdk and assume its contents have been restored. Once you have a verified copy, include both the native file and any required companion files in a separate backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will one recovered VMDK always boot?

No. Split extents or snapshot dependencies may also be required.

Can I scan inside the running guest?

For a deleted host VMDK, shut down the VM and scan the host storage instead.

Should I merge snapshots before recovery?

No. Preserve the existing chain and inspect it first.