Native recovery is possible only in specific scenarios. Otherwise, move to data recovery tools. 2. File-Level Recovery (If VMFS Datastore Still Intact) Using lsdel command (ESXi local CLI) On a VMFS datastore, deleted files remain until overwritten. Run:
| Tool | Strengths | Weaknesses | Success Rate | |------|-----------|-------------|---------------| | | Deep scan, recovers fragmented VMDKs, preview before recovery | Paid ($79.99) | Very high (80-95% if not overwritten) | | DiskInternals VMFS Recovery | User-friendly wizard, supports RAID | Slower on large datastores | High (75-90%) | | UFS Explorer Professional | Best for complex RAID & VMFS corruption | Expensive (~$250+) | Excellent (90%+) | | Starus VMFS Recovery | Free trial preview, good for single VMDK | Limited advanced features | Moderate (60-80%) | recover deleted vmdk
Would you like a specific step-by-step guide for any of these methods (e.g., R-Studio recovery or manual descriptor recreation)? Native recovery is possible only in specific scenarios