If you see the -flat.vmdk but the VM won't start because the descriptor is missing, you can manually recreate it using the ESXi Command Line .
You see name-flat.vmdk in your folder, but the small name.vmdk file is missing. The VM will not power on. recover vmdk flat file
Capacity: 42949672960 (40 GB) Disk type: 2 (VMFS thin) If you see the -flat
Now, edit temp.vmdk with a text editor ( vi ). Change the RW 20480 (or whatever number is there) to match the size of your flat file. Change the temp-flat.vmdk reference to your actual flat file name. Capacity: 42949672960 (40 GB) Disk type: 2 (VMFS
If the flat file is truncated (incomplete download/copy), VMware will reject it because the geometry in the descriptor expects a specific size, but the file is smaller.
One of the most alarming errors for an administrator is finding the descriptor file present but the -flat.vmdk missing or corrupted. Without the flat file, the VM cannot start. This article covers systematic methods to recover, recreate, or relink a lost or orphaned VMDK flat file.
If the header is corrupt but the flat file is physically intact, use the disk manager utility.