Mount VMFS 6 Windows hot, Windows VMFS 6 driver, hot-plug VMware datastore, access VMFS 6 without reboot.
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Tools such as vmfs-tools (usually used in Linux) can be compiled, or drivers designed to add native read capability to Windows can be used.
Do NOT initialize, format, or convert the disk when Windows prompts you. Cancel any "You need to format the disk" messages immediately. mount vmfs 6 windows hot
For IT professionals and enterprises, the VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) is the sanctioned API for programmatic access to virtual disk files, including those on VMFS datastores. It's the technology behind many enterprise backup and recovery tools.
For access to a VMFS 6 volume from Windows:
Last updated: October 2025. Verified with ESXi 8.0 Update 2 and Windows Server 2022. Mount VMFS 6 Windows hot, Windows VMFS 6
Mounting a VMFS 6 datastore on a Windows system can be a complex process, but it's achievable using the right tools and software solutions. By following the steps outlined in this article and using a supported tool, you can hot mount a VMFS 6 datastore on a Windows system and access the data you need. Whether you're recovering data, backing up a datastore, or migrating to a different virtualization platform, this article should provide you with the information and guidance you need to succeed.
Locate the connected mass storage device under the detected hardware list.
Attach your VMFS 6 storage device to your Windows machine via SAS, SATA, Fibre Channel, or iSCSI. If you share with third parties, their policies apply
include automatic space reclamation (UNMAP), support for large files, and unique block management that Windows cannot parse natively.
Do not attempt to use third-party partition managers to force-assign a Windows drive letter to the raw partition.
Can be run directly from Windows.