is a command-line tool (and optional GUI) designed to inspect, convert, mount, repair, and manipulate VMware *-flat.vmdk files — the raw, uncompressed disk data files that accompany a descriptor VMDK file. It targets forensic analysts, VM administrators, and DevOps engineers needing low-level access to virtual disk contents without a full ESXi/vSphere environment.
flat-vmdk carve --type jpeg disk-flat.vmdk --output ./carved/ flat-vmdk
RW [size] FLAT "[vmname]-flat.vmdk" line points to your original flat file. Broadcom support portal +2 Key Comparisons Feature -flat.vmdk .vmdk (Descriptor) Purpose Stores the actual bits of the OS and files. Metadata: disk geometry, hardware version, and ID. Visibility Usually hidden in the vSphere Datastore Browser. Visible as the "Hard Disk" icon. Format Binary (unstructured data). Plain Text. Data Extraction Tips Mounting is a command-line tool (and optional GUI) designed
A small text file that defines the disk geometry, hardware version, and IDs. Broadcom support portal +2 Key Comparisons Feature -flat
Here is the breakdown of what it means: