The Best Methods for Recovering .VMF Files After Unintended 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 .VMF file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

The Best Methods for Recovering .VMF Files After Unintended Deletion
Data Recovery Tool

What is a .VMF file?

Game level or map file created with the Valve Hammer Editor version 4 or later; used for creating custom levels for Half-Life, a first-person shooter game; stores level information in an XML-style format.

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

There are several common causes of ".VMF" (Valve Map File) loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: The most common cause is accidentally deleting the ".VMF" file while cleaning up or organizing files.
  2. File corruption: VMF files can become corrupted due to various reasons such as system crashes, power outages, or software errors. This can lead to the file being unreadable or unusable.
  3. Hardware failure: If the storage device where the ".VMF" file is stored (such as a hard drive or SSD) fails, it can result in data loss, including the VMF file.
  4. Software issues: Sometimes, issues with the software used to create or edit VMF files can lead to file loss or failure. This can include bugs, crashes, or compatibility issues.
  5. Virus or malware infection: A virus or malware attack on the computer can corrupt or delete files, including VMF files.
  6. Human error: Mistakes made by the user, such as accidental formatting of the storage device, improper file transfers, or improper shutdowns, can lead to loss or failure of ".VMF" files.
  7. File system errors: Errors in the file system, such as file system corruption or bad sectors on the storage device, can cause ".VMF" files to become inaccessible.

It is essential to regularly backup ".VMF" files to prevent permanent loss in case of any of these causes.

How to recover lost ".VMF" 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 ".VMF" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 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 ".VMF" file is always to create it once more.

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

Looking for how to open a stereo valve Map File image file file?

Programs that open ".VMF" files

Windows
Valve Hammer Editor Valve Hammer Editor
QuArK QuArK

Additional Information

  • File type: Valve Map File

  • File extension: .VMF

  • Developer: Valve

  • Category: Game Files

  • Format: XML

  • Mime-type: text/plain

  • HEX: 76 65 72 73 69 6F 6E 69 6E 66 6F

  • ASCII: versioninfo

  • File types that use the extension .VMF:

    • Valve Map File

    • Covox Speech Thing Sample

    • Vocaltec Media File

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 13:18 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .VMF files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
    Reply
Post comment
User
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Updated:
  • Evaluations:
  • 5
  • /
  • :
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.

Share

Questions and answers

  • What is a .VMF backup file, and what purpose does it serve?

    A .VMF backup file is a file format used by VMware virtual machines to store a backup of the virtual machine's configuration and disk files.

    The purpose of a .VMF backup file is to provide a snapshot or copy of a virtual machine's state at a specific point in time. It allows users to restore their virtual machines to a previous state in case of data loss, system failure, or other unforeseen issues.

    The .VMF backup file contains the virtual machine's settings, such as hardware configuration, network settings, and storage information. It also includes the virtual hard disk files, which store the operating system, applications, and data within the virtual machine.

    By creating regular backups in the .VMF format, users can ensure the safety and integrity of their virtual machines, as well as have a means to recover from any potential issues or disasters.

  • How can I create a .VMF backup file for my virtual machine?

    To create a .VMF backup file for your virtual machine, you can follow these steps:

    1. Shut down the virtual machine: Ensure that the virtual machine is powered off before proceeding with the backup process.
    2. Locate the virtual machine files: Find the directory where the virtual machine files are stored. This typically includes the .vmx file, .vmdk files, and other associated files.
    3. Create a copy of the virtual machine files: Copy the entire directory containing the virtual machine files to a backup location. This will create a duplicate set of files that can be used for restoring the virtual machine if needed.
    4. Compress the backup files (optional): If you want to save disk space, you can compress the backup files into a single archive file using compression software like ZIP or 7-Zip.
    5. Verify the backup: It is recommended to verify the backup by attempting to restore the virtual machine using the backup files. This ensures that the backup is complete and can be used for restoration if required.

    Remember to regularly update your backups to ensure they include the latest changes made to the virtual machine. Additionally, it's a good practice to store backups in a separate location or use an off-site backup solution for added protection against data loss.

  • Can a .VMF backup file be restored to a different virtual machine platform?

    No, a .VMF backup file cannot be directly restored to a different virtual machine platform. The .VMF file format is specific to VMware virtual machines and is not compatible with other virtualization platforms such as Hyper-V, VirtualBox, or KVM.

    To restore a .VMF backup file to a different virtual machine platform, you would need to convert the virtual machine to a format that is supported by the target platform. This typically involves exporting the virtual machine from VMware in an interoperable format (such as OVF or OVA) and then importing it into the new virtualization platform.

    There are conversion tools available that can help with this process, such as VMware vCenter Converter or third-party tools like StarWind V2V Converter. These tools can convert the virtual machine's disk image, configuration, and other settings to a format compatible with the target virtualization platform. However, it's important to note that some features or settings specific to VMware may not be fully compatible or transferable to the new platform.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Description
Hello! This is AI-based Hetman Software virtual assistant, and it will answer any of your questions right away.
Start Chat