How to Recover Data from VMware Disk [2023 Updated Guide]

As an emulator of a computer system, a virtual machine (VM) is based on computer architectures that offer all the features available on a physical computer. VMware is so widely used that issues like "VMware disk file not found" and " VMware data recovery" always emerge. Users wanted to recover data from the VMware disk in safety.

After learning the entire article, you'll understand how to recover data from VMware disk.

Main Reasons for the VMware Disk File Not Found

Like other programs, virtual machine disc files are vulnerable; thus if a user runs into the issue "VMware Disk File Not Found", hard disk data recovery should be their first concern. The most frequent reasons for VMware file loss are listed below.

Failed to start the VMware

If the virtual machine lost power, the VMware would fail to start and display the error message "Error during powering on: Failed to start the virtual machine". After restarting the VMware, you may lose your files in the VMware.

Power on a VMware failed

When the VMware Authorization service is not operating or when the service lacks Administrator rights, you will see the error:
The VMware Authorization Service is not running. Then you may find that you cannot access their data and files on the VMware disk.

A hardware failure has occurred

A hardware failure means a fault with a computer system's electrical circuitry or mechanical parts such as disks and tapes. Like other files, the VMware files are easy to lose when a hardware failure occurs.

VMware Data Recovery via Software: Recover VMware File(s)

A few VMware files will be created using VMware and kept on the local hard disk. As a result, the damaged and missing VMware files will lose the information on the virtual hard drive. So, you may be eager to get the VMware file back.

You can utilize Deep Data Recovery to recover data from VMware.

First, you should acquire Deep Data Recovery. Then, install it on the PC and follow the steps below.

Step 1. Choose file types and click "Next" to start

Launch Qiling file recovery software on your Windows computer. Choose file types and click "Next" to start.

Step 2. Select a drive to scan

To start recovering DiskPart deleted files, you must determine where the files were kept before deletion. Deep Data Recovery will list all the loaded drives on your PC, so it's for you to select the correct drive to scan. Hover the mouse pointer to the drive and click "Scan".

Step 3. Check for scanned results

After the scan process, select the "Deleted Files" and "Other Lost Files" folders in the left panel. Then, click "Filter" to display only the specified file types, such as pictures, videos, Word documents, PDF files, etc.

Step 4. Preview and recover

Once located the desired files that were deleted by DiskPart, you can double-click the files one by one for preview, or use the "Preview" button to check its integrity. At last, click "Recover". You shall choose a different drive to save the recovered files to avoid data overwriting.

VMware Data Recovery: Recover Missing VMware Partitions

In some circumstances, a VMware file you are about to recover could be damaged because no disk volumes are visible. Use Qiling Partition Recovery to search the mounted for deleted partitions and recover lost partition.

As soon as Qiling Partition Recovery locates and recovers the missing partitions, they are promptly shown in the Disk Explorer window, where you may launch them for further VMware Partitions recovery.

Follow the steps below to recover lost partitions containing VMware files.

Step 1. Run Qiling Partition Recovery 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.

Let the program scan the selected disk and find the lost partition(s).

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

Double-click on the partition which is marked as "Lost" with "Good" recoverability.

Preview the content of the lost partition. Click "OK" and click "Proceed" to start restoring the lost partition.

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

Note: If the program warns you that there is a conflict, back up the listed partition with essential data to an external hard drive first. Then execute the final operation to restore your lost partition.

How to Recover Data from VMware Disk Manually

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

Step 1. Press Windows + R, open the "Run" box and type CMD to launch the command line.

Step 2. Then browse the local installation of the VMware Development Kit.

Step 3. Then choose the path: Virtual Disc Development Kit - Bin - C: Program Files - VMware - Virtual Disc Development Kit

Step 4. Put the VMware-vsdiskmanager.exe into the command prompt.

Step 5. Enter the code.

VMware Data Recovery FAQs

Here are 4 additional questions and answers to help you know more about VMware data recovery.

1. What are VMware files?

The VMware files are the virtual disk image files, whose format is VDMK, a file format used by VMWare and other virtual machines to represent carriers for storing information on virtual hard disks.

2. Why is the VMDK file corrupted?

Among the most common reasons are following:

• There has been a viral outbreak.
• There has been a hardware malfunction.
• Software corruption
• Errors committed by users.
• The guest operating system was improperly shut down.

3. How do I recover a VMware from a snapshot?

• Step 1. Select by the path: Virtual Machine - Snapshots.
• Step 2. Choose the snapshot you want to restore.
• Step 3. Before restoring the virtual machine to the chosen snapshot state, click Save to save a snapshot, or just do not save a snapshot

4. How to save recovered data from VMware?

Select a location for the recovered data and files to be kept in the 'File Saving' window. You can choose to save files on CDs or DVDs, create virtual ISO images, or save them to the web using an FTP server.

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