How to Recover .VMC Files from a Corrupted Drive After Accidental Deletion

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .VMC file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Recover .VMC Files from a Corrupted Drive After Accidental Deletion
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .VMC file?

Configuration file used by Windows Virtual PC, a component of Windows 7 that allows users to emulate different versions of Windows as virtual machines (VMs); saved in an XML format and includes parameters that describe the VM; loads the specified VM when opened.

What Are Common Causes of ".VMC" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes of ".VMC" (Virtual Machine Configuration) files being lost or experiencing failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".VMC" file while managing or organizing their virtual machine configurations.
  2. Hardware or software failure: Issues with the physical storage device or virtualization software can lead to corruption or loss of the ".VMC" file.
  3. Virus or malware attacks: Malicious software can infect and damage files on a computer, including the ".VMC" files.
  4. Power outages or system crashes: Sudden power loss or system crashes during virtual machine operations can result in data loss or corruption, including the ".VMC" file.
  5. Incompatible software updates: Installing incompatible software updates or patches can lead to conflicts that cause the ".VMC" file to fail or become inaccessible.
  6. Human error: Mistakes made during virtual machine management, such as improper configuration changes or incorrect file manipulation, can cause the ".VMC" file to be lost or fail.
  7. File system issues: File system errors, disk errors, or file system corruption can lead to the loss or failure of the ".VMC" file.
  8. Migration or transfer issues: When moving or transferring virtual machine configurations between different systems or storage devices, issues can arise that result in the loss or failure of the ".VMC" file.

It is important to regularly back up ".VMC" files and take precautions to prevent data loss or failure, such as using reliable storage devices, keeping software up to date, and practicing safe computing habits.

How to recover lost ".VMC" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".VMC" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".VMC" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".VMC" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".VMC" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software

  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".VMC" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type

  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored

  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan

  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery

  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".VMC" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo windows Virtual Machine Configuration File image file file?

Programs that open ".VMC" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows Virtual PC Microsoft Windows Virtual PC
Microsoft Virtual Server Microsoft Virtual Server
VMware Workstation 15 Pro VMware Workstation 15 Pro
VMware vCenter Converter VMware vCenter Converter

Additional Information

  • File type: Windows Virtual Machine Configuration File

  • File extension: .VMC

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Settings Files

  • Format: XML

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 13:44 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .VMC files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is a ".VMC backup" and how is it different from other backup formats?

    A ".VMC backup" refers to a backup file format used in virtual machine software, such as Microsoft Virtual PC or Oracle VM VirtualBox. It stands for "Virtual Machine Configuration" backup.

    A VMC backup contains the configuration settings and parameters of a virtual machine, including hardware specifications, disk images, operating system settings, and other related data. It essentially captures the entire state of a virtual machine at a specific point in time.

    The main difference between VMC backups and other backup formats lies in their focus. While traditional backup formats (like .zip or .tar) primarily aim to preserve files and folders, VMC backups are designed specifically for virtual machine environments. They encapsulate the entire virtual machine setup, making it easier to restore the virtual machine to a previous state or move it to another host machine.

    Additionally, VMC backups often provide features like snapshot functionality, which allows users to take point-in-time copies of a virtual machine's state. This enables quick restoration to a specific snapshot, minimizing downtime and facilitating testing or experimentation within the virtual machine environment.

    In summary, VMC backups are specialized backup formats that capture the complete configuration and state of a virtual machine, offering more comprehensive restoration capabilities compared to traditional file-based backups.

  • How can I create a ".VMC backup" of a virtual machine in a virtualization software?

    To create a ".VMC backup" of a virtual machine in a virtualization software, you can follow these general steps:

    1. Open the virtualization software (e.g., VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, Hyper-V).
    2. Locate the virtual machine you want to back up in the virtualization software's interface.
    3. Power off the virtual machine to ensure a consistent backup.
    4. Once the virtual machine is powered off, right-click on it and select the option to "Export" or "Clone" the virtual machine.
    5. In the export or clone dialog, choose a destination folder where you want to save the backup.
    6. Specify a name for the backup file and select the appropriate file format (.VMC or .VMDK, depending on the virtualization software).
    7. Start the export or clone process and wait for it to complete. The time required will depend on the size of the virtual machine.
    8. Once the backup is created, you will have a ".VMC backup" file that contains the virtual machine's configuration and settings.

    Note: The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the virtualization software you are using. It is recommended to consult the software's documentation or online resources for specific instructions related to your virtualization software.

  • What are the best practices for restoring a ".VMC backup" and recovering a virtual machine from it?

    Restoring a ".VMC backup" and recovering a virtual machine from it typically involves the following best practices:

    1. Verify the backup: Before restoring the backup, ensure that it is valid and error-free. Check the integrity of the backup file to avoid any potential issues during the restore process.
    2. Prepare the environment: Make sure you have a suitable environment to restore the virtual machine. This includes having sufficient disk space, compatible hardware, and the necessary virtualization software installed.
    3. Understand the backup format: Familiarize yourself with the ".VMC backup" format and the virtualization software being used. Different virtualization platforms may have different methods for restoring backups, so it's essential to understand the specific steps required.
    4. Create a backup of existing data: If you have any data or virtual machines in the target environment that may be affected by the restore process, create a backup of that data to avoid any potential data loss.
    5. Restore the backup: Use the appropriate method provided by your virtualization software to restore the ".VMC backup" file. This typically involves selecting the backup file and specifying the desired restore location.
    6. Verify the restore: After the restore process is complete, verify that the virtual machine has been restored successfully. Ensure that all the necessary files, configurations, and settings are intact.
    7. Test the restored virtual machine: Before using the restored virtual machine in a production environment, perform thorough testing to ensure its functionality. Check if all applications and services are working correctly and validate any critical data.
    8. Update and patch: Once the virtual machine is restored and tested, ensure that it is up to date with the latest security patches, software updates, and drivers. This helps maintain the virtual machine's stability and security.
    9. Document the restore process: Document the steps taken during the restore process, including any issues encountered and their resolutions. This documentation will be valuable for future reference and can help streamline future restore operations.
    10. Regularly review and test backups: It's crucial to regularly review and test the backup process to ensure its reliability. Perform periodic test restores to validate the backups and make any necessary adjustments to the backup strategy if required.

    Remember that these best practices may vary depending on the specific virtualization software being used. Always refer to the official documentation and guidelines provided by the software vendor for the most accurate and up-to-date instructions.
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