Even after deleting a VM, the VMDK file remains without being deleted

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Performed the deletion of a VM by right-clicking a VM and selecting ‘Delete from Disk’.
Only some of the vmdk files were not deleted.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server

VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

There are two common reasons why vmdk file is still present after deleting a VM:

• You previously edited that VM and removed the disk device without deletion of the file.
  The vmdk file is not recognized as a VM-related file during deletion of the VM.
  
  
• The vmdk file was in use.
  For example, it is a shared disk with another VM or it is attached to a backup proxy VM.

 

Resolution

Verify if the vmdk file is no longer in use and delete manually.
Zombie files and Leftover VM on Datastore