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.
: Run vmkfstools -c [size] -d thin temp.vmdk using the exact size found in step 1. This creates a "dummy" descriptor and flat file. flat vmdk recovery
If the -flat.vmdk file exists but the VM fails to power on (often with an error stating the disk is missing), the descriptor file may be missing. Modern VMware environments often use Sparse VMDKs (sometimes