vmkfstools -x repair /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/VM/VM-flat.vmdk If repair fails, clone the VMDK while forcing consistency checks:

vmware-vdiskmanager -d /path/to/your.vmdk vmware-vdiskmanager -k /path/to/your.vmdk If the VMDK is not recognized as a disk but contains intact data blocks:

vmkfstools -i newheader.vmdk -d thin test.vmdk If the disk is too corrupt for mounting:

7z l corrupt.vmdk # list contents 7z x corrupt.vmdk -orecovery # extract all files Limitation: Only works for simple VMDK formats (not split/extents).

(works for single-file growable VMDK)