How to Retrieve Deleted .VMCX Files Without Backup

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 .VMCX file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Retrieve Deleted .VMCX Files Without Backup
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .VMCX file?

Virtual Machine (VM) shortcut file used by Windows Virtual PC, an emulation program used to run different versions of Windows; saved in an XML format and contains VM configuration parameters, such as the VM name, which .VMC file to load, and .VHD hard disk files.

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

There are several common causes for ".VMCX" file loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".VMCX" file while cleaning up their system or organizing files, leading to its loss.
  2. Software or hardware issues: Issues with the virtualization software or the hardware running the virtual machine can cause the ".VMCX" file to become corrupted or inaccessible.
  3. File system errors: File system errors on the host system can corrupt or damage the ".VMCX" file, making it unreadable.
  4. Virus or malware infection: A virus or malware infection on the system can corrupt or delete files, including the ".VMCX" file.
  5. Power failure or system crash: Unexpected power failure or system crashes while the virtual machine is running can cause data corruption, including the ".VMCX" file.
  6. Improper shutdown: Improperly shutting down the virtual machine or the host system can lead to file system errors or data corruption, resulting in the loss or failure of the ".VMCX" file.
  7. Operating system issues: Issues with the operating system running the virtual machine can cause file system errors or data corruption, affecting the ".VMCX" file.
  8. Storage device failure: If the storage device hosting the ".VMCX" file fails or becomes inaccessible, the file can be lost or become unreadable.
  9. Human error: Human error, such as mistakenly moving or renaming the ".VMCX" file, can lead to its loss or failure.
  10. Software updates or upgrades: In some cases, software updates or upgrades to the virtualization software or the operating system can cause compatibility issues or file corruption, resulting in the loss or failure of the ".VMCX" file.

How to recover lost ".VMCX" 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 ".VMCX" 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 ".VMCX" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".VMCX" 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 ".VMCX" 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 ".VMCX" 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 ".VMCX" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo virtual Machine Shell Information File image file file?

Programs that open ".VMCX" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows Virtual PC Microsoft Windows Virtual PC

Additional Information

  • File type: Virtual Machine Shell Information File

  • File extension: .VMCX

  • Developer: Microsoft

  • Category: Settings Files

  • Format: XML

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 11:44 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .VMCX 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 the purpose of a ".VMCX Recovery" file and how does it relate to virtual machine management?

    A ".VMCX Recovery" file is created when a virtual machine (VM) is saved or paused in Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016 operating systems. It serves as a checkpoint file that captures the state of the VM at a specific point in time, including the memory, processor, and device state.

    The purpose of the ".VMCX Recovery" file is to enable the quick resumption of a VM from where it was paused or saved. When a user wants to resume the VM, the ".VMCX Recovery" file is used to restore the VM to its previous state, allowing the user to continue their work without any loss of data or progress.

    In virtual machine management, the ".VMCX Recovery" file plays a crucial role in providing a fast and efficient way to save and restore VMs. It allows users to pause or save their VMs and resume them later with minimal downtime. This feature is particularly useful in scenarios where VMs need to be temporarily stopped or migrated to another host.

    Additionally, the ".VMCX Recovery" file can also be used for troubleshooting purposes. If a VM encounters an issue or crashes, the ".VMCX Recovery" file can be used to restore the VM to a known working state, making it easier to diagnose and resolve any problems.

    Overall, the ".VMCX Recovery" file enhances the flexibility, availability, and manageability of virtual machines by providing a convenient way to save and restore their state.

  • How can a ".VMCX Recovery" file be used to restore a virtual machine to a previous state?

    To restore a virtual machine to a previous state using a ".VMCX Recovery" file, you can follow these steps:

    1. Make sure the virtual machine is turned off.
    2. Locate the ".VMCX Recovery" file on your system. This file is created when you take a snapshot or checkpoint of the virtual machine.
    3. Open Hyper-V Manager, and in the Virtual Machines list, right-click on the virtual machine you want to restore and select "Restore".
    4. In the Restore Virtual Machine Wizard, choose the option to restore from a file and browse to the location of the ".VMCX Recovery" file.
    5. Select the ".VMCX Recovery" file and click "Next" to proceed.
    6. Review the summary of the restore operation, ensuring that you have selected the correct file, and click "Finish" to start the restore process.
    7. Wait for the restore process to complete. This may take some time depending on the size of the virtual machine and the performance of your system.
    8. Once the restore process is finished, the virtual machine will be restored to the state captured in the ".VMCX Recovery" file. You can now start the virtual machine and use it in its previous state.

    Note: It is important to remember that restoring a virtual machine to a previous state will revert any changes made after the snapshot or checkpoint was taken. Additionally, the ".VMCX Recovery" file must be available and not corrupted for the restore process to be successful.

  • Are there any limitations or considerations to keep in mind when using ".VMCX Recovery" files for virtual machine recovery?

    Yes, there are some limitations and considerations to keep in mind when using ".VMCX Recovery" files for virtual machine recovery:

    1. Compatibility: ".VMCX Recovery" files can only be used with Windows Server 2016 or later versions, and Windows 10 or later versions. They are not compatible with older versions of Windows.
    2. Hyper-V version: The ".VMCX Recovery" files are specific to the Hyper-V version that created them. They may not be compatible with different versions of Hyper-V, so it is essential to ensure the recovery environment matches the original Hyper-V version.
    3. Snapshot dependencies: If the virtual machine has snapshots, the ".VMCX Recovery" file alone may not be sufficient for recovery. Snapshots are stored separately as ".AVHDX" files, and they need to be available along with the ".VMCX Recovery" file for a successful recovery.
    4. Disk configuration: The recovery environment should have sufficient storage capacity to accommodate the recovered virtual machine's disk files. It is crucial to ensure that the recovery environment has enough space to restore the virtual machine's disks.
    5. Network configuration: The network configuration of the recovery environment should match the original virtual machine's network settings. If the recovery environment has different network configurations, it may cause network connectivity issues in the recovered virtual machine.
    6. Integration Services: Integration Services are software components installed on virtual machines to enhance performance and functionality. It is recommended to ensure that the recovery environment has the same or compatible Integration Services version as the original virtual machine to avoid any compatibility issues.
    7. Hardware compatibility: The recovery environment should have compatible hardware with the original virtual machine. If the recovery environment has different hardware configurations, it may cause driver and compatibility issues with the recovered virtual machine.
    8. Backup consistency: ".VMCX Recovery" files are typically created as part of a backup process. It is crucial to ensure the backup process is consistent and reliable to avoid any issues during recovery. Regularly test and validate the backup process to ensure the integrity of the ".VMCX Recovery" files.
    9. Backup location: ".VMCX Recovery" files should be stored in a secure location, preferably on a separate storage system or offsite, to protect against data loss or corruption.
    10. Recovery testing: It is essential to regularly test the recovery process using ".VMCX Recovery" files to ensure they are valid and can be successfully used for virtual machine recovery. Regular testing helps identify any issues or limitations in the recovery process and allows for necessary adjustments or improvements.
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