VM objects remain on Virtual Volumes storage container after you delete the VM folder from datastore browser

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This problem occurs if a virtual machine has not been properly deleted through the Delete from Disk option of the vSphere Web Client, but has been only unregistered from inventory through the Remove from Inventory option. In this case, the virtual machine folder still remains on the virtual datastore. The problem might also apply to other orphan virtual machines in vCenter Server, whose folders remain on the virtual datastore.

If you use the datastore browser to delete the folder, it disappears from the vSphere Web Client. However on the storage array side, this operation deletes only the configuration object, while other virtual volume objects, such as the virtual disk, remain intact in the storage container.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 6.0
VMware vCenter Server 6.0.x

Resolution

To prevent this problem, do not use the datastore browser to delete virtual machine folders. Instead, always use the Delete from Disk option in the vSphere Web Client to delete all virtual machine files. If you have orphan virtual machines in your environment, use these options to delete them:

• If the virtual machine is not registered, first register it, and then use the Delete from Disk option.
• Use commands or management UI to delete virtual volume objects on the storage side. Check with your array vendor for information on how to delete orphan virtual volumes.