VHDX Repair: Comprehensive Guide to Fix Corrupt or Unreadable VHDX Files

What Are VHDX and VHD Files?

Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) and Virtual Hard Disk Extended (VHDX) are file formats representing virtual hard disks. They are used primarily in virtual environments to store the data of virtual machines (VMs).

VHD Files

VHD is the older of the two formats and was introduced by Connectix, which Microsoft later acquired. This format is compatible with many legacy systems and has the following characteristics:

• Size Limit: The maximum size of a VHD file is 2 TB.
• Compatibility: It is widely compatible with various versions of Microsoft Virtual PC, Microsoft Hyper-V, and other virtualization platforms.
• Types: VHD files can be of fixed size (pre-allocated disk space) or dynamically expanding (grows as data is added).
• Usage: Primarily used in older versions of Microsoft Hyper-V and Microsoft Virtual Server.

VHDX Files

VHDX is the newer and more advanced format, introduced with Windows Server 2012. It offers several improvements over the VHD format:

• Size Limit: The maximum size of a VHDX file is 64 TB, making it suitable for modern large-scale storage needs.
• Performance: VHDX files provide better performance due to their ability to align with large sector disks, reducing I/O overhead.
• Resilience: VHDX includes features for greater data protection against power failures, including a log that tracks updates to the VHDX metadata structures.
• Types: Similar to VHD, VHDX files can be fixed or dynamically expanding, with an additional type called differencing disks (used for snapshots).
• Usage: Commonly used in modern virtualization environments, such as Windows Server Hyper-V.

Key Differences Between VHD and VHDX

1. Size Limitation:

   • VHD: Maximum of 2 TB.
   • VHDX: Maximum of 64 TB.

2. Performance:

   • VHDX offers better performance, especially on large sector disks.

3. Resilience:

   • VHDX has built-in protection against corruption due to power failures.

4. Metadata:

   • VHDX maintains a log of updates to improve data integrity.

5. Compatibility:

   • VHD is more compatible with older systems.
   • VHDX is designed for use with newer systems and offers advanced features not available in VHD.

Common VHDX Repair Error Codes

When dealing with VHDX files, encountering error codes is a common scenario, especially when the file becomes corrupted or damaged. These error codes help identify the specific issues that need to be addressed during the repair process. Here are some common VHDX repair error codes and their meanings:

1. 0x80070057 - "The parameter is incorrect"

• Description: This error typically occurs when the VHDX file is accessed improperly or there is an issue with the parameters passed during the operation.
• Solution: Verify that all parameters and settings used to access the VHDX file are correct. Check for any syntax errors or incorrect values.

2. 0x80070005 - "Access is denied"

• Description: This error indicates that the user or process attempting to access the VHDX file lacks the necessary permissions.
• Solution: Ensure that the user or process has appropriate read/write permissions to the VHDX file and its containing folder. Adjust security settings if necessary.

3. 0x80070570 - "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable"

• Description: This error suggests that the VHDX file is corrupted and the system is unable to read its contents.
• Solution: Use VHDX repair tools or third-party data recovery software to attempt to recover and repair the corrupted file.

4. 0xC03A0005 - "The requested operation cannot be performed on a file with a user-mapped section open"

• Description: This error occurs when there are active processes or operations locking the VHDX file, preventing further actions.
• Solution: Close any applications or processes that might be using the VHDX file. Ensure no other operations are locking the file before attempting repair.

5. 0x80070020 - "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process"

• Description: This error indicates that the VHDX file is currently in use by another process, preventing access for repair operations.
• Solution: Identify and terminate any processes that are using the VHDX file. Alternatively, perform the repair operation after ensuring the file is not in use.

6. 0xC03A001A - "The chain of virtual hard disks is broken"

• Description: This error occurs when there is a problem with the chain of differencing disks, causing a break in the link.
• Solution: Verify the chain of differencing disks and ensure all parent and child disks are accessible and correctly linked. Repair any broken links in the chain.

7. 0x87D00231 - "Error while merging VHDX files"

• Description: This error occurs when an attempt to merge VHDX files fails due to corruption or other issues.
• Solution: Check the integrity of the VHDX files being merged. Use repair tools to fix any corruption before attempting to merge again.

8. 0xC03A001C - "Failed to set the sector size for the VHD file"

• Description: This error indicates an issue with setting the sector size for the VHDX file during operations.
• Solution: Ensure that the sector size specified is valid and supported. Verify the VHDX file format and compatibility with the current environment.

9. 0xC03A001D - "The requested operation could not be completed due to a virtual disk service error"

• Description: This error signifies a problem with the Virtual Disk Service, preventing the requested operation on the VHDX file.
• Solution: Restart the Virtual Disk Service and retry the operation. If the issue persists, check the service status and logs for further diagnosis.

10. 0x80004005 - "Unspecified error"

• Description: A generic error code indicating an unspecified problem with the VHDX file.
• Solution: Investigate the specific context and logs for more detailed information. Use diagnostic tools to identify the root cause and apply appropriate fixes.

When to Use VHDX Repair Tool?

The DiskInternals VMFS Recovery is a specialized software designed to handle and recover corrupted VHDX files. Here are some scenarios where using this tool is advantageous to repair VHDX:

• Severe Corruption: When standard methods like CHKDSK or PowerShell fail to repair the VHDX file due to severe corruption.
• Data Recovery Needs: When there is a need to recover specific data from a corrupted VHDX file without repairing the entire file.
• Multiple Corruption Issues: When the VHDX file is experiencing multiple forms of corruption, including file system errors and bad sectors.
• Failed Virtual Machine Start: When a virtual machine fails to start due to VHDX corruption and other troubleshooting methods have been exhausted.
• Professional Recovery: When a comprehensive and reliable recovery is needed, especially for critical data in enterprise environments.
• Complex Disk Structures: When dealing with complex disk structures and differencing disks where manual repair is impractical.

Benefits of DiskInternals VMFS Recovery

The DiskInternals VMFS Recovery tool offers several benefits, making it a robust solution for VHDX file recovery:

1. Comprehensive Recovery:

   • Capable of recovering data from severely corrupted VHDX files.
   • VHDX repair tool supports recovery from formatted, deleted, or damaged partitions.

2. User-Friendly Interface:

   • Intuitive interface that simplifies the recovery process, making it accessible even for non-technical users.
   • Step-by-step wizards guide users through the recovery process.

3. Advanced Scanning Algorithms:

   • Utilizes advanced algorithms to thoroughly scan and recover data from corrupted VHDX files.
   • Supports both quick and deep scan options based on the level of corruption.

4. Wide Compatibility:

   • Compatible with various file systems, including NTFS, FAT, exFAT, ReFS, and others.
   • Supports recovery from multiple virtual disk formats, not just VHDX.

5. Preview Functionality:

   • Allows users to preview recoverable files before initiating the recovery process.
   • Ensures that the correct files are recovered, saving time and effort.

6. Selective Recovery:

   • Enables selective recovery of specific files or folders from the corrupted VHDX file.
   • Avoids the need to recover unnecessary data, streamlining the process.

7. Reliable and Secure:

   • Ensures the integrity and confidentiality of the recovered data.
   • Maintains the original folder structure and file names during recovery.

8. Technical Support:

   • Provides access to professional technical support to assist with complex recovery scenarios.
   • Offers detailed documentation and user guides for troubleshooting.

9. Cost-Effective:

   • Reduces downtime and data loss, which can be critical in enterprise environments.
   • Offers a cost-effective alternative to professional data recovery services.