Modern VMware environments often use Sparse VMDKs (sometimes called "delta" or "sesparse" disks) for snapshots. These grow as data is written. However, "Flat" VMDKs remain standard for thick-provisioned disks and are the most common format involved in low-level data recovery scenarios.
: Check the VM's .vmx file to see if it used lsilogic , buslogic , or ide . flat vmdk recovery
To effectively recover a flat VMDK, one must understand its structure. Modern VMware environments often use Sparse VMDKs (sometimes