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1. Back up the VM.

   Warning
   title Make a Backup!
   Since we are modifying the VMDK files, make a good backup of the entire VM folder in case something happens.

   
   

2. Download SDelete from SysInternals (Microsoft) on the VM.
   1. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/sdelete

3. Zero the free space on the affected drive.

   Code Block
   language text
   sdelete.exe -z C:

   
   

   Info
   If the VM has more than one drive letter, substitute the appropriate drive letter affected, or all of them if they are in the same VMDKrun the command against each one individually.

   
   

4. Power off the VM.

5. SSH into the ESXi host.

   Info
   SSH is usually disabled on ESXi hosts. Enable it for this procedure, then turn it back off again for security reasons.

   
   

6. CD into the VM folder.

   
   

   Code Block
   language text
   cd /vmfs/volumes/DATASTORE_NAME/VM_NAME

   
   

7. Run the cleanup command.

   Code Block
   language text
   vmkfstools -K disk_name.vmdk

   
   

   Info
   The file used here is descriptor file .vmdk file not the data file -flat.vmdk

   
   

8. Verify disk size has decreased.
9. Power on the VM and return to normal operation.

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