Since modern ESXi versions do not have a built-in undelete command, you must use one of the following methods if a .vmdk or datastore is lost: A. Third-Party Software (Automated)
You would log into the service console and run vmfs-undelete . It scanned for deleted file descriptors and attempted to re-link them. vmfs undelete utility
Metadata damage makes the volume appear "Unknown" or inaccessible to the ESXi host. Since modern ESXi versions do not have a
The VMFS Undelete Utility is a niche but critical tool for VMware environments. If you’ve ever accidentally removed a virtual machine’s folder, deleted a flat VMDK, or overwritten a VMX file, this utility promises to recover data directly from VMFS volumes (VMFS5, VMFS6, etc.) without needing to restore from backups. Metadata damage makes the volume appear "Unknown" or
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) – Essential for emergencies, but pricey for occasional use.
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Since modern ESXi versions do not have a built-in undelete command, you must use one of the following methods if a .vmdk or datastore is lost: A. Third-Party Software (Automated)
You would log into the service console and run vmfs-undelete . It scanned for deleted file descriptors and attempted to re-link them.
Metadata damage makes the volume appear "Unknown" or inaccessible to the ESXi host.
The VMFS Undelete Utility is a niche but critical tool for VMware environments. If you’ve ever accidentally removed a virtual machine’s folder, deleted a flat VMDK, or overwritten a VMX file, this utility promises to recover data directly from VMFS volumes (VMFS5, VMFS6, etc.) without needing to restore from backups.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5) – Essential for emergencies, but pricey for occasional use.