This evaluation virtual machine includes: Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation 21H1 (10.0.20348.0) Windows 10 SDK, version 2104 (10.0.20348.0) Visual Studio 2019 (latest as of 7/08/21) with the UWP,.NET desktop, and Azure workflows enabled and also includes the Windows Template Studio extension. Visual Studio Code (latest as of 7/08/21). Create virtual hard disk from existing Windows 10 installation Step 1: The first step is to download the latest version of Disk2VHD. Visit this page of Microsoft TechNet to download the zip file of Disk2VHD. Extract the zip file to get Disk2VHD executable.
To Create File System on VHD or VHDX File, Press the Win + X keys together on the keyboard. See the list of shortcuts with the Win key available in Windows 10. From the menu, select Disk Management. If you do not see you VHD in the list, then select Action Attach VHD from the menu.
Before starting: Your system must support virtualization.
What is the benefit of a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) vs VM (Virtual Machine)? Full access to physical hardware, giving your OS better performance compared to a virtual machine. Non-messy dual-booting is also available.
This guide will teach you how to create and run a Windows virtual hard disk to install Windows 10.
Create the VHD
Launch Disk Management > R-Click on [START] > Disk Management
Action > Create VHD
Specify the virtual hard disk location of the machine:
In my case, I’ll select my 4TB Storage drive and for name, I’ll call it Windows10.
Output should be similar to: D:/Windows10.vhd
Virtual hard disk size:
I’ll make my VHD 50GB. Make sure to select GB or the size will be in MB
Virtual Hard Disk Format:
I’ll leave it as a VHD because we have a machine specified as 50GB. VHDX specifies a machine larger than 2040 GB.
Virtual hard disk type:
Fixed Size (Recommended)
I don’t want this VHD to take more space than the one that was allocated for it.
At the very bottom, you will see a progress bar and when it reaches completion, a new Disk will appear with unallocated space.
Initialize Disk
R-Click on your new disk. In my case, Disk 2 > Initialize Disk.
Here we have the option to select MBR or GPT and since I have a newer system, I’ll select GPT (Guid Partition Table) > Ok
Our Disk is now online.
Create a Windows 10 ISO
Windows 10 Vhdx Utm
You will need to download the Windows 10 Installation Media Creation Tool from here.
Launch the tool as soon as it is done downloading.
Create Installation Media
Accept the Disclaimer
The recommended options will be set for you. If you wish to change the language or architecture, uncheck use the recommended options for this PC.
Next, select:
USB flash drive if you are using a USB or ISO file if you intend to burn it to a DVD.
I will be making an ISO and mounting the Installation Media to a temporary partition.
Select your location and name. In my case, D:/Downloads/Win10.iso
Once it reaches 100%, your ISO should be ready for mounting or burning to a DVD.
Click Finish.
Create a Temporary Partition
I will be creating a temporary partition and running the Windows 10 Installation Media from there.
Launch Disk Management > R-Click on a Disk (in my case, I’ll be using the D drive. You need to choose the disk that has the most storage space) > Shrink Volume > 50000 MB (Equivalent of 50GB) > Shrink
When it is finished, you should see 48.83GB Unallocated. Right click > New Simple Volume > Next > Next > Choose any Drive letter > Next >
Format this Volume with the following settings:
FAT32, Default allocation, volume label: Win10Boot and leave quick format checked.
Once the process completes, you’ll be greeted with your formatted partition.
Navigate to the location of your Windows ISO and double click it to mount it. Alternatively, R-Click it > Mount
The ISO will be mounted and you will be automatically taken to > DVD Drive: ESD-ISO
[CTRL][A] to select all [CTRL][C] to copy
Navigate to your temporary partition, double click it to enter and [CTRL][V] to paste the contents.
Installing Windows 10 on a VHD
While holding [SHIFT] , click on Restart and you’ll be taken to the Windows Recovery Environment.
Choose an option > Use a Device
It can be a bit confusing but in my case the partition I created for the Windows Install Media will be called UEFI OS
You’ll be presented with the Windows Setup.
Before proceeding any further, we need to mount our VHD which is not mounted by default.
Simultaneously, press [SHIFT] + [F10] and this will bring the command prompt or cmd.
# Type:
Diskpart
# The following command will list all of our volumes to make sure we have the correct Drive letter.
list vol
# In my case the D:/Storage Drive has become C:/Storage. It’s time to select the location of our VHD
select vdisk file=”C:Windows10.vhd”
# Let’s attach the VHD with the following command:
attach vdisk
# You can now close the command prompt and click next on the Windows Setup screen. Select Install Now.
If you wish to specify a different edition of Windows, select I don’t have a product key.
I’ll be installing Windows 10 Pro > Next > Accept License terms > Custom
It is important to choose the correct drive. In my case, it is Drive 2 Unallocated Space 49.9 GB > Next
Windows 10 will start the installation process.
When it finishes and your computer reboots, you’ll be able to choose which operating system you want to boot into.
Update: I’ve noticed absolutely no performance hit using this method.
It will take awhile while it sets up things and then it might reboot. This is the perfectly normal behavior of a first-time Installation.
I hope you enjoyed this guide!
Virtual hard disk (VHD) is a disk image file format for storing the entire contents of a hard disk. The disk image, also known as a virtual machine, mimics an existing hard disk and contains all the data and structural elements. This blog describes the complete solution to open VHD File in Windows 10. Here we will discuss how to view VHD data files on Windows OS. Both manual and automatic solutions are available for reading VHD files.
“Hey, does anyone know how to open VHD files in Windows 10? I tried several methods for this but to no avail. So anyone can tell me how to view VHD data files without any problem. Please help me. Thanks in advance.”
How To Open VHD File in Windows 10, 8, 7
Method 1: Create VHD File Windows platform Using Disk Management
In this section, we are going to explain an entire process for creating VHD in Windows 10.
- First of all, Right-click on Windows Start menu, Choose Disk Management
- Select on Action button and click Create VHD option
- Click on Browse and navigate to the folder where you wish to save the VHD. Also, provide virtual hard disk size.
- In the File Name section, enter a name for the newly created virtual hard drive.
- Select the menu type Virtual Disk File (.vhd) or Virtual Disk File (.vhdx) from the Save As menu. Click on save.
- Specify the desired size for VHD in the Virtual Hard Disk Size box in megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), or terabytes (TB).
- From the Virtual Hard Disk Format section, select the VHD or VHDX format according to current requirements
- From the Virtual Hard Disk Type section, select the Fixed Size option if you want to adjust the predefined size. Otherwise, select the dynamic dump options to resize this VHD auto. Finally, press the OK button.
Note: If you have selected the VHD format as a hard disk drive, we recommend the option to select a fixed size when selecting the type.
Drawback OF the Manual Method
- It is a very long process that takes a long period.
- Any level of misunderstanding can result in data loss
Perfect Solution To Open VHD File In Windows 10
To overcome all the drawbacks, users can use a robust tool. Therefore, the VHD Viewer tool has been recommended to go for an all-in-one solution. It helps to view VHD files easily and effortlessly. It can open and preview the contents of all partitions in a disk image file. The utility supports both FAT32 and NTFS file systems with fixed and dynamic storage. The tool is able to view all data items in a VHD file when VHD file partitions are deleted or formatted. You can also view items within single and multiple partitions of a VHD file.
Step by Step Process To View VHD File
Here we have mentioned a few simple steps to open, View VHD file:-
Windows 10 Vhs Capture
1: Launch and Run VHD File Viewer Tool .
2:Click on the Open tab to Add VHD File.
3: After That, Browse & Scan VHD File : Quick, Advanced & Deleted Partition Mode.
4: Finally, Open & View Contents of VHD data File On Windows OS.
Beneficial Features OF VHD Viewer Software
- Ability to Open Offline, Dismounted & Corrupted VHD Files
- Compatible to Recover RAW Partitions
- Supports Restore Multilingual Files From Installation setup
- Capability to Open Windows Image Backup .vhd File
- Compatible Windows Backup Image Files: NTFS, FAT32, FAT16 and ExFAT Partitions
- Supports For MBR and GPT Partition Styles For Static & Dynamic VHD Files
- Compatible With All Versions of Windows OS , 10,7, 8, 8.1
Last Words!
Windows 10 Vhd
This guide has helped users solve the “How to open VHD file in Windows 10” question? In the previous section, we discussed two approaches that would help in completing the work in a positive way. It is better that you go for an alternative solution like VHD Viewer software as manual method is time consuming and a long process. Furthermore, it is your choice that you can choose one of them according to your needs.