# Output [SCANNING] Parsing VMFS 6 metadata... [FOUND] 3 deleted items detected. [LIST] ID: 001 | Type: VMDK | Size: 50GB | Name: web-server.vmdk | Status: Blocks Intact ID: 002 | Type: VMX | Size: 4KB | Name: web-server.vmx | Status: Blocks Overwritten (20%)
VMFS (Virtual Machine File System) is a file system used by VMware ESXi to store virtual machines. However, data loss can occur due to various reasons such as accidental deletion, corruption, or formatting of the VMFS datastore. To mitigate such losses, a feature to recover deleted files from VMFS datastores is essential. vmfs recover deleted files
| Prevention | Method | |------------|--------| | | Veeam, Nakivo, Commvault, or native vSphere Data Protection (deprecated). | | Permissions | Use vCenter roles; don’t give "Datastore -> Delete file" to standard users. | | Recycle Bin alternative | No native bin, but some backup appliances offer instant recovery. | | Change block tracking (CBT) + frequent incremental backups. | | Use VM-level snapshots (with caution) – Not for long-term, but can help recover quick mistakes before deletion is finalized. | # Output [SCANNING] Parsing VMFS 6 metadata
Data recovery from VMFS is complex because typical operating systems cannot natively parse its clustered structure. This comprehensive guide details the essential initial actions, identification workflows, and advanced methods needed to safely recover deleted files from VMFS datastores. 🚨 Critical First Steps: Halt Data Overwrites However, data loss can occur due to various