2025-03 Applicable VMware versions: ESXi 6.x, 7.x, 8.x
If the descriptor is lost/corrupt but the -flat.vmdk is intact:
Encountering a "File not found" or "Disk descriptor file missing" error in VMware can be a heart-stopping moment. Usually, this happens because the small descriptor file (the .vmdk pointer) has been deleted or corrupted, leaving you with only the large -flat.vmdk file that contains your raw data. how to fix flat vmdk
For Windows: Use or 7-Zip (can open raw flat VMDK if descriptor is missing).
A is a raw, pre-allocated virtual disk file containing all the guest OS data in a monolithic, binary format (typically named vmname-flat.vmdk ). It is always paired with a small descriptor file ( vmname.vmdk ) containing geometry and metadata. 2025-03 Applicable VMware versions: ESXi 6
We will create a new temporary disk with the same size to generate a valid descriptor file.
If the file structure is correct but the disk still won't mount, you can attempt a repair clone. This reads the source disk sector-by-sector and writes it to a new, healthy disk, skipping bad sectors. A is a raw, pre-allocated virtual disk file
How to Fix a Flat VMDK: A Comprehensive Guide to Data Recovery
Always back up both the -flat.vmdk and its descriptor .vmdk before attempting repairs.