Detached Virtual Disk which is part of a snapshot chain remains after VM deletion.

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

If a Virtual machine has a snapshot taken and then a VMDK is removed from the VM with the option "Remove device and data" the VMDK remains on the datastore even if the VM if deleted subsequently. 

Sample Steps to Reproduce the Issue:

1. Create a VM with three hard disks
2. Create a snapshot of the VM.
3. Remove the third hard disk from the VM and select “Remove device and data.”
4. Delete the VM.
5. Confirm the vmdk remains on the datastore. 

Environment

vSphere 7.X, 8.X, and 9.X

Cause

This is by design and intended to safeguard against accidental data loss.

Resolution

If the hard disk requires complete removal it can be done manually via the vCenter UI.