: Attach the newly created NewVM.vmdk to a new VM shell. Method 3: Recovery Without Snapshot Database (.vmsd)
If the goal is to merge the delta data back into the base disk to restore the VM to its current state, use the vmkfstools command via SSH.
October 26, 2023 Subject: Procedures for Recovery via Delta VMDK Files Scope: VMware ESXi / vSphere restore vmware from delta vmdk
vmkfstools -i "/vmfs/volumes/datastore1/FinServe-07/FinServe-07-000014.vmdk" \ "/vmfs/volumes/datastore2/FinServe-07-Restored.vmdk" -d thin
: The actual data blocks changed since the last snapshot. Method 1: Standard Restoration via vSphere Client : Attach the newly created NewVM
# Inside FinServe-07-000014.vmdk descriptor: RW 83886080 VMFS "FinServe-07-000014-delta.vmdk" parentFileNameHint="FinServe-07-000013.vmdk"
The corrupted block? It belonged to a deleted temp table from 200 days ago. Nothing of value lost. Method 1: Standard Restoration via vSphere Client #
If the VM is still registered in your inventory and the snapshot database ( .vmsd ) is intact, use the built-in management tools. Restore VMware VM with snapshot(delta.vmdk) files
This is the safest method. Instead of modifying the original VM, you attach the delta disk to a "Helper VM" to copy the data out or clone it to a new base disk.