How to recover data from the C-drive when the VM is inaccessible (Windows)

How to recover data from the C-drive when the VM is inaccessible (Windows)

Introduction

There are several reasons why a VM would become inaccessible. While we always suggest storing data on the Z-drive (because it is snapshotted and accessible from every VM within the same workspace), users still might have data on the C-drive/OSDisk. This article describes how you can attempt to retrieve that data from the C-drive.
 
 
Step 1: Create a ticket for anDREa support member (Johanna or Edward)
In order to perform steps below you have to be an Owner of the workspace

 Step 2: Make disk visible within VM
  1. Connect to the VM and go to the start menu and search for Create and format hard disk partitions.

  1. Scroll down (most likely the new disk it will be Disk 2). Check if the status is Online. If it is Offline right click on the disk and select Online.


  1. Go to File Explorer. The disk you have created from the snapshot should now be visible.


If this is not the case:
1) make sure the new disk is online
2) change the letter of the drive to for example L
  1. Right-click on the disk and select change Drive letter and Paths...

  1. Select the drive you want to change and click change


  1. Assign a new letter from the list you want to use (do not choose a letter A-G or Z) and click OK


  1. Letter has been changed and new drive should be visible in File Explorer

Step 3: Copy the data from the new drive on the disk to the Z-drive. This might take a while depending on how much data needs to be copied.
 
Be aware that extra disk costs extra, we advise deleting the extra disk once the data has been recovered.