VMware's Virtual Machine File System (VMFS) doesn't have a built-in recycle bin, making accidental deletions of .vmdk files or datastores potentially permanent without specialized software. When standard ESXi recovery methods like storage rescanning or restoring from snapshots fail, third-party recovery tools can attempt to rebuild the file system metadata and extract data. DiskInternals +3 Top VMFS Recovery Tools (April 2026) Tool Key Capabilities Best For DiskInternals VMFS Recovery Supports VMFS version 6, restores deleted VMDKs, and handles complex RAID configurations (0, 1, 5, 6, etc.). Advanced users needing high recovery speed and broad RAID support. UFS Explorer Pro Professional-grade tool for damaged VMFS volumes, supporting multi-level RAID and various storage types. IT professionals handling complex or heavily corrupted enterprise storage. Hetman Partition Recovery Features a high-quality file preview window and can scan VMFS partitions even when the file system is not natively recognized. Users needing to verify specific file types (photos, docs) before recovery. ReclaiMe Pro Simplifies the recovery process with a user-friendly interface and supports a wide range of file systems. Quick, straightforward recoveries where ease of use is prioritized. SysTools VMware Recovery Specifically designed for corrupted, deleted, or formatted VMDK and VMFS data recovery. Targeted recovery of virtual disk files and individual partition repair. Comparison of Key Features 12 sites Essential Tools for VMFS Data Recovery: Restoring ESXi and ... Nov 13, 2025 —
VMFS recovery tools are designed to reconstruct damaged file system metadata, locate orphaned files, and recover data from inaccessible VMware datastores . These tools are essential when a host server crashes, a RAID array fails, or accidental deletion occurs. Top VMFS Recovery Tools for 2026 vmfs recovery tools
| Scenario | Recommended Tool | |----------|------------------| | Just need to copy VMDKs off a healthy VMFS | StarWind VMFS Reader (free) | | Deleted VM folder / VMDK | DiskInternals or UFS Explorer | | Corrupt VMFS partition table | R-Studio | | Failed RAID + VMFS | R-Studio or UFS Explorer RAID | | Professional / lab recovery | Klennet VMFS or UFS Explorer | VMware's Virtual Machine File System (VMFS) doesn't have
VMFS is a cluster file system that allows multiple ESXi servers to access and share VM files. It's designed to provide high availability and scalability for virtual machines. VMFS stores VM files in a single namespace, making it easier to manage and access them. Advanced users needing high recovery speed and broad