VHD is a file that contains virtual hard disk image, used by Microsoft Windows Virtual PC. A single VHD file can contain all the data stored on a physical hard drive, stored in one structure - partitions, system files, regular files and folders.
Possibilities arising from VHD files
VHD files are typically used as virtual machine disks, allowing you to install and run multiple operating systems without the need for multiple physical disks or separate computers. This gives many possibilities, for example: support for programs and applications in different environments. VHD files also allow you to restore only selected directories or the entire hard drive.
A Brief History of the VHD Format
The VHD format was created by Connectix, which was acquired in 2003 by Microsoft, which created the Mircosoft Virtual PC product. Since 2005, Microsoft has rolled out a free license for the VHD format. In 2012, certain updates were introduced and rolled out in a new format - .
VHD File Types
VHD files can be identified in several types, making them easier to manage. This:
- fixed hard disk image - has a fixed size equal to the size of the hard disk;
- dynamic hard disk image - the file size is equal to the size of the files on the virtual disk and additionally to the size of the file header;
- difference disk image is a separate file that works provided that the current disk is the mother disk;
- linked - contains only a link to the physical disk.
In 2005, Microsoft developers introduced a new format - VHD. It allows you to create virtual hard disk images that can be used to host programs, additional operating systems, and other files as images. This makes it possible to open and test old programs and applications on another virtual OS without any additional computer hardware. The contents of the virtual machine are determined by these files and are located on the host operating system. You can open the VHD file using special virtualization software. Let's consider the basic set of operations performed with such elements.
Working with the VHD extension.
The VHD (Virtual Hard Disc) format is an extension that has the structure of a hard drive: file system, partitions, folders, and so on. As mentioned above, components are launched using visualization programs.
Basic Operations
Such elements can be created, attached and detached, compressed, deleted, converted, and much more. Next, we will look in detail at how to use the VHD extension.
How to open a VHD file
There are several options for opening files. Microsoft developers actively support this format and release specialized applications to work with it. The VirtualBox and Microsoft Virtual PC utilities make it possible to run the OS directly from the host. Thus, you can have both Windows and Linux on your computer at the same time.
Method 1. To open the image and make the content available for viewing, do the following:
- Click on it with the right mouse button.
- In the context menu, click “Connect”.
- We wait while the disk is mounted.
That's it, now the file system is available to you. You can disable it using the “Extract” tab by right-clicking the mouse button.
Method 2. You can work with the VHD extension through basic management.
- Right-click on the Start menu.
- Select the “Disk Management” section.
- Find the “Actions” tab – “Attach virtual hard disk”.
- Using the “Browse” button, select the location of the file we need.
- Let's open it.
ADVICE. You can check the Read Only checkbox if you do not want to make any changes.
Disable it using the “Disconnect” item.
Method 3. Open using the VirtualBox application.
- We go into the program and create a new virtual machine. In this case, we select the type of operating system used on it.
- The default application will prompt you to create a new disk. You can select the file with the desired system.
- In the additional settings menu on the panel, you can adjust its operation and configure it as a SATA device.
ADVICE. With VirtualBox you can perform a huge number of operations and adjust the operation of the virtual machine.
Method 4. Use 7-Zip. As you know, this is one of the most popular free archivers, which allows you to work with images as well.
- We launch the program and look for the file we need in it.
- Click “Extract”.
Method 5. Mount using Daemon Tools. This utility is not as popular as it was before, but is still actively used to open and work not only with the VHD extension, but also with VDI, VMDK.
- We launch the program and look for the component we need in it.
- Click “Mount”.
Method 6. Mount in Microsoft Virtual PC. The utility makes it possible to create virtual machines in which we can open the documents and folders we need. The algorithm of actions is similar to that described in working with VirtualBox:
- We go into the program and create a new car. In this case, we select the type of operating system used on it.
- The default application will prompt you to create a new virtual component. You can also select a VHD file with a prototype of the desired system.
Is it possible to delete VHD files
Like any other elements, virtual images can be deleted or detached. It's quite simple to do this:
- Select the drive that you want to disconnect or delete. Using the right mouse click, open the context menu and click “Disconnect”.
- If you do not want to completely delete the VHD image, then simply confirm the action with the “OK” button. To completely remove it, check the appropriate box in the window that opens.
A disconnected hard drive retains its functionality and all existing data. To resume operation, simply reconnect it. If you completely delete it, then all information stored there is erased irrevocably along with it.
As we can see, Virtual Hard Disc is a very useful and easy-to-use thing. Creating additional areas on your computer helps solve many problems. Using several operating systems allows you to test all kinds of programs, including studying malicious ones, without damaging the main OS. If you still have any questions, ask them in the comments.
The system image is intended to restore the entire system; if necessary, you can mount a VHDX disk with the image and extract individual files from it. This can be done both from the graphical snap-in and from the command line using the diskpart utility.
To launch the Disk Management snap-in, click Win+R and enter the command diskmgmt.msc. Open the menu item “Action” - “Attach virtual hard disk” and specify the path to the VHDX file with the image.
After this, the drive will appear in the list, and all we have to do is assign a drive letter. Next, select the appropriate item in the context menu. After this, the disk becomes visible in the system, you can go to it, view or copy the necessary files. It is possible to change data on the disk, but it is not recommended, of course, if you plan to recover using it.
To disconnect the VHD, you need to right-click on the disk and select “Disconnect virtual hard disk”.
The same can be done using the diskpart utility. To do this, open the command console with administrator rights and enter the Diskpart command. Then select the VHDX file with the command:
select vdisk file=″path_to_file″
Mount the virtual disk with the default letter:
attach vdisk
To disable we use the command:
detach vdisk
Once installed on a VHD virtual hard disk, the second Windows operating system is in no way inferior to the one located on another partition of the disk. On the contrary, the first has two significant advantages over the second. Firstly, to install Windows on a VHD disk, there is no need to redistribute disk space if there is initially no extra empty disk partition for the second operating system.
The VHD disk is created as part of the Windows installation process using the command line, and with its help it is mounted into the system in order to be visible among the partitions for installing the system. Secondly, you can work with a second Windows installed on a virtual VHD disk either by directly loading it on the computer or using hypervisor programs.
Any operating system installed on the VHD can be opened within programs And and work with them in the same way as with any systems created using these programs. Moreover, both programs natively provide the ability to create operating systems using a VHD disk. VirtualBox openly allows you to select the VHD format when creating a virtual machine hard drive. But in the VMware Workstation program, although such a moment is provided, there is no usable selection menu, as is the case with VirtualBox. Extension ". vhd" for the hard disk being created, you need to register it manually, replacing the preinstalled one ".vmdk" – "native" VMware Workstation virtual hard disk format .
The only point in which the VHD disc will be inferior is "relatives" formats of VMware Workstation and VirtualBox programs - respectively, VMDK And VDI, this is the full use of disk space. Whereas virtual hard disks of programs - VMDK And VDI– compress virtual machine data to save space on a real computer. In particular, VMware Workstation virtual machines on a physical hard drive take up almost half the space available to guest operating systems.
So, we have an operating system installed on a virtual VHD disk.
How can I open it inside the main operating system using the VMware Workstation and VirtualBox hypervisor programs?
Opening a VHD in
In the main window of VMware Workstation, we start the process of opening a new virtual machine. This can be done either using a visual button on the home tab of the program or in the menu.
The wizard for creating a new virtual machine will start, and in its first window, click on the custom configuration type.
Click in the program version compatibility settings window.
We do not install the operating system, therefore, there cannot be any download source. Select the third item – system installation later. Click.
In our case, we have a VHD disk with Windows 8.1 installed, and we select it in the lists of operating systems and their versions. Click.
We name the virtual machine and indicate its location on the computer. Working files will be stored in the specified location . The VHD disk itself, naturally, will be located where it was. Click.
In our case, there are as many as four cores, so with a generous gesture from the master’s shoulder, we will give two of them to the virtual machine. Click.
But a generous gesture in terms of RAM will not work. We select only the necessary minimum - 1 GB . Click.
Preset network type NAT in our case it fits. Click.
We don’t change the controller type either. I/O. Click.
The same applies to the type of disk - leave it preinstalled SCSI. Click.
Finally, we have reached the point of changing preset parameters. In the virtual disk selection window, we need the second option - . Click.
In the next window, click the button review and indicate the path to VHD file. By default, VMware Workstation does not want to see this file format , presenting only files of our own production. And to see the VHD file, in the Explorer window you need to set option to show all files .
Having specified the path for placing the VHD disk, click .
The virtual machine setup is complete.
Let's return to the main VMware Workstation window and see the new virtual machine in the list of existing ones. Let's launch it.
The Windows startup process will begin with the system adapting to the operating conditions of the hypervisor. Drivers, system settings, and Windows 8.1 Metro applications will be updated. In some cases, starting a virtual machine may be accompanied by a Windows Recovery Environment window. In this case, you just need to select continued use of the system.
The system will boot soon.
Opening a VHD in VirtualBox
In VirtualBox, the process of opening a VHD file is simpler. In the main program window, click the button. Then in the first window of the new virtual machine creation wizard that launches, we ask it Name, select operating system and her version. Click "Next".
We indicate RAM size. Click "Next".
In the virtual hard disk selection window, as in the previous case, select using an existing disk. Use the browse button to indicate the path to VHD file. Click.
We return to the main VirtualBox window and launch the newly created virtual machine.
VirtualBox will also adapt the guest operating system to its specific operating conditions - drivers will be installed, system settings will be applied, etc.
In a minute or two, in the program window we will see the same Windows installed on the VHD disk.
05.09.2009 05:09
In Windows 7, you can easily create, connect, and disconnect virtual hard disks.
General information about VHD
Virtual hard disk(English: Virtual Hard Disk (VHD)) is a file format that has a structure and content similar to a hard disk.
A virtual hard disk is used to store data and even operating systems in a single image file that can be opened by virtualization programs or virtual machines. Windows 7 contains all the necessary software to create, mount and boot from VHD files.
Creating, connecting and disconnecting virtual hard disks in Windows 7 is done through the interface Disk management Microsoft management console.
A virtual hard disk can be created anywhere on your computer's hard drive, except for the Windows folder and its subfolders.
The minimum size of a virtual hard disk is 3 megabytes. The maximum size is limited only by the amount of free space on the physical hard drive.
Create a virtual hard disk
1. Open Start, type in the search bar and press Enter.
2. In the menu Action select .
3. Click Review.
4. Select the location where the virtual hard disk will be stored, give the disk to be created a name and click Save.
5. If you want the virtual hard disk's capacity to increase as you store data on it, select Dynamic expansion. If you want the virtual hard disk capacity to remain fixed, select Fixed size and specify the size of the hard drive you are creating in megabytes, gigabytes, or terabytes.
6. Click OK and wait for Windows 7 to create the virtual hard disk and install the driver for it.
After creating a virtual disk using the method described here, Windows 7 automatically attaches (mounts) it, so immediately after creating the disk, we can see it in the disk management interface of the Windows 7 management console in the list of all disks installed on the system.
7. To start using the created disk, .
Disconnecting a virtual hard disk
1. Right-click on the virtual hard disk and select .
2. Confirm your decision.
Once detached, the virtual hard disk will not be accessible until you attach it again.