VMDK is a short term used for Virtual Machine Disk which is used to store the mailbox data in virtual machines like QEMU, Virtual Box, VMware workstation, etc. Generally, VMDK is used for virtualization and cloud computing. In other words, we can say VMDK is a direct competitor of VHD format. VMDK file contains the entire disk data and if the file faces any corruption then it may lead to a severe data loss as well. So, if you are facing any corruption in your important VMDK file then here we will discuss the most recommended solutions to repair corrupt VMDK file. We will be providing the recommended manual as well as the professional VMDK file recovery tool both.
Reasons For VMDK Corruption
- Virus or malware attacks.
- Accidentally terminating a VMDK file without saving it.
- Accidental System Shutdown.
Manual Methods to Repair Corrupt VMDK Files
Method 1: Booting the Machine
When the VMDK file gets corrupted or damaged, the virtual machine shows errors in starting. Follow the below steps to repair VMDK file.- Create a backup of the original VMDK file.
- With a different VM, make a copy of the pointer file in your system.
- Make the modifications as required and then save the changes.
- Now, boot the Virtual machine for VMDK file repair.
The process might seem easy but the hardest part is to get the cylinders, sectors, heads precisely according to the VMDK file size. Mostly, beginners face problems and fail with this process.
There is another manual method that you can use by using the command prompt in the Windows OS.
Method 2: Use Command Prompt in Windows
Using the command prompt is also one of the great techniques. But it is more suitable for technical users who have a good knowledge of CMD. You can try the method even if you are a beginner.- Press Win+R to open the command prompt and enter CMD.
- Browse to the location where the VMware Development kit is installed.
- Go to C > Program files > VMware > Virtual Disk Dev Kit > Bin
- Now type command “vmware-vsdiskmanager.exe” - R “ The fully qualified path to corrupt VMDK”.
- Press Enter.
These above are the manual methods to repair corrupt VMDK files but also have several limitations and complexities. So, for a secure and hassle-free VMDK recovery, use the automated third-party solution.
Third-Party Solution to Repair Corrupt VMDK File
You can easily recover all the corrupt or damaged VMDK files by using one of the best VMDK recovery software available in the market. I would suggest using the advanced VMDK recovery tool by Data Recovery Solutions. DRS is a renowned name in the IT software industry that provides the best solution for email management and migration in the market. The tool also provides several amazing features to simplify recovery.
Features
- Easily recovers all the corrupted or damaged VMDK data.
- It supports VMDK files which are FLAT, split, SPARSE, and descriptor.
- Provides three recovery modes i.e, Standard mode, Advanced mode, and Deep mode.
- No technical knowledge is required.
- Easy user-friendly GUI.
- Provides auto-search, date filter, and preview options.
- The demo version is also available for a free evaluation.