How to install Windows on a VHD virtual hard disk. Creating and using a virtual hard disk How to create a virtual hard disk in Windows 8

Fans of experimenting with virtual machines know firsthand about virtual hard disks. With the help of (hypervisors), you can create a virtual one inside a real computer - partly a clone of a real computer, partly with customizable parameters depending on the needs of the virtual OS being installed. However, a virtual disk can be created not only using hypervisors, but also using standard Windows 7 tools. Such a virtual disk can be used as a regular HDD partition or removable media.

1. Virtual hard disk – what is it?

The virtual hard disk in System Explorer will be no different from regular disk partitions.

But its internal structure is different - it is a file in the “.vhd” format, which must be attached to the system in order to display it as a separate disk partition. The principle is very similar to mounting disk images into the system. The “.iso” file is mounted into a virtual drive using special programs (such as Daemon Tools or Alcohol 120%) and is displayed in Windows Explorer as a regular CD/DVD drive next to the real one, which is built into the system unit or laptop hardware. Only in the case of a virtual disk file “.vhd” can you copy and transfer data to it, as to a regular disk partition. Well, you don’t need any third-party programs for mounting; everything is done, as already mentioned, using standard Windows tools.

The “.vhd” file of the virtual disk with all the data on it can be moved to another partition directory, to another disk partition, to removable media, to cloud storage. Or you can even transfer it to another computer and use it there.

2. What is a virtual disk used for?

A virtual disk, alas, in many cases will not replace a regular hard drive partition or external removable media. For example, you cannot boot from it, like from a flash drive, drive or HDD. And for the average user, it will rather serve as a separate place for conveniently organizing the internal space of the computer, rather than bring practical benefit. So, on a virtual disk you can store some important data - valuable documents, professional developments, family photo and video collections. Periodically, you can make backup copies of data from this virtual disk, like a regular disk partition, and move them to cloud storage or removable media. Instead of backing up a virtual disk to cloud storage or removable media, you can move the archive of the “.vhd” file. If the external space is not limited by the limit of free space in the cloud or the small capacity of the flash drive, the “.vhd” file can be transferred in its original form - without archiving or backup.

But this is not the most unique and indispensable use of a virtual hard disk, since you can just as conveniently organize your files on a separate non-system disk partition or in a separate folder, periodically making backup copies or archives from them for transferring to cloud storage or removable media. Virtual hard disks are usually used by those who like to study various operating systems, their versions and builds. So, you can install another version of Windows (or Linux) on a virtual hard disk and launch the second system on your computer by selecting it in the bootloader menu.

A virtual disk can be connected to both a physical and virtual OS installed on a virtual machine using programs, or. You can move files to a shared connected virtual disk on one system, and work with them on another.

A virtual disk can also be used as a storage medium for data backup, which appeared in system versions starting with the eighth.

3. Create and connect a virtual disk

To launch the standard disk management utility in Windows 7, 8, 8.1, use the command “ Execute" Let's select it in the classic menu " Start» Windows 7 or in the context menu on the corner Windows button in system version 8.1. In Windows 8, you can use the system search charm. The best way is to press the keys " Win+R" is a universal and fast way to call the command " Execute».

Enter:
diskmgmt.msc

And press the “ Enter».

The system disk management utility will launch. We need a menu at the top. In chapter " Action"Click the command to create a virtual disk.

A window for creating and attaching a virtual disk will appear, where you need to specify the location of the “.vhd” file, the size of the disk and its type - fixed or dynamic. The virtual disk file format is “.vhd” and is set by default.

If we create a virtual disk to store some important data on it, we choose a location on a non-system disk so as not to lose files in the event of a system failure. Fixed or dynamic virtual disk? To install the OS, it is better to choose a fixed virtual disk so that the dynamic disk does not “grow” with various system updates, cache or temporary files. By the way, if the “.vhd” file is located on the system disk, then the main system may not start due to lack of space. A dynamic one is better suited for storing your data - it will grow as more files are added.

Click " OK"after setting all parameters. Next, in the Disk Management utility window, the newly created virtual disk will appear as unallocated space.

We call the context menu on the newly created disk (on the left side of its visual display, where it says “ Disc 1") and click the option " Initialize disk" This is necessary for it to be visible in Windows Explorer.

In the window that appears, without changing anything, click “ OK».

Now we again call the context menu on the created virtual disk, but on the right side of its visual display. We need a command to create a simple volume.

Then we simply follow the instructions of the launched wizard.

Select a letter of the English alphabet to represent the virtual disk in Windows Explorer.

We agree to the proposal to format the virtual disk. If the virtual disk will be used in Windows, you do not need to change the preinstalled NTFS file system.

The virtual disk in the disk management utility will now be displayed as a full-fledged partition (volume), and the system will detect the appearance of a virtual disk as a connection to removable media.

Open Windows Explorer (or a third-party file manager). And we will see that the virtual hard disk is displayed in the same row as the real disk partitions and removable media.

You can copy files to a virtual disk, delete them, create new ones on it - do everything you can do on regular disk partitions, flash drives or SD cards.

4. Manually attach a virtual disk to display in Windows Explorer

In order for a virtual disk, like other partitions, to be displayed in Windows Explorer, it must be attached. When created and initialized, this process occurs automatically. But a previously created virtual disk or one transferred from another computer must be attached manually for visibility by the system.

Launch the system disk management utility. Open the menu “ Action" and select the command to attach a disk.

In the small window that appears, click the browse button and indicate the location of the “.vhd” file.

Now we can search for the virtual disk in Windows Explorer or in the file manager.

5. Detaching a virtual disk

If the virtual disk is no longer needed, you can disconnect it from the system and then delete the “.vhd” file itself.

Launch the system disk management utility. On the left side of the visual display of the virtual disk, call up the context menu and select the command to detach the virtual disk.

We confirm our action in the small program window that appears.

In this window you can see the path to the “.vhd” file, if suddenly over time you forget its location on the real disk. Now all that remains is to delete the “.vhd” file itself.

That’s it – the virtual disk has been removed from the computer.

Did this article help you?

1. How to install Windows 8 on a virtual disk? Hello admin! At first I wanted to, but then I changed my mind, there were too many body movements. First of all, you need to download and install a virtual machine, then configure it correctly and only then install Windows 8 into it. What if you install Windows 8 on a virtual disk, because this can be done almost immediately. Are there any difficulties in installing and then removing eight from the boot menu? Vlad84.
2. Hello admin, I created a virtual disk in Windows 7 and installed Windows 8 on it and now only it boots, how can I restore the selection of operating systems when I start the computer, because I also need Windows 7.

How to install Windows 8 on a virtual disk

Hello, friends! The advantages of installing Windows 8 on a virtual disk are well known.
First of all, our reader is right, everything happens a little faster than in the case of a virtual machine and there is no need to install various updates and additions to the virtual machine.
Secondly, if you need to create temporary folders in a virtual machine, and use USB filters to work with flash drives, then in Windows 8 installed on a virtual disk, all the files on the hard disk will be available anyway.
Well, the most compelling argument is that when installed on a virtual disk, Windows 8 will work faster than in a virtual machine.

Let's install Windows 8 on a virtual disk together and see everything with our own eyes.

• Note: Read our new articles on this topic "", I confess, this method is much simpler than the one described here.

Install Windows 8 on a virtual disk you can from Windows 7 or from Windows 8. If you don’t know where you can do it, follow the link and read our article.

For example, I have Windows 7 installed on my computer and I want to install Windows 8 as a second system on a virtual hard disk.
First you need to create a virtual disk in VHD format. Right-click on “Computer” and select “Manage”

"Disk Management".

"Action" and "Create virtual hard disk"

Click “Browse”.

In the explorer that appears, select the hard disk partition where we will create the virtual disk. My hard drive is divided into two partitions: C: and E:, I select the E: partition, give the file name for the Windows 8 virtual disk and click “Save”.

It is better to select “Dynamic expansion” for the virtual hard disk format and the size of the hard disk will expand as files accumulate in the virtual disk. I will choose the size 30 GB. OK.

We insert the installation disk with Windows 8 into the drive and boot from it; if you don’t know how to do this, read “”. I think you did it. Further.

Install.

We accept the license agreement. Custom: Windows installation only.

To open the command line, press Shift + F10.
On the command line we type
Diskpart
I created a virtual disk on the E: partition, so the next command will be like this.
select vdisk file= E:\Windows8.vhd
attach vdisk
exit
exit

Update

The usual installation of Windows 8 takes place. Assign a Name to the computer and Next.

Use standard settings.

If you don't want to set up a Microsoft account, disconnect the Internet.

Create a local account.

Enter your Name, Password and Password Hint. That's all.

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With the release of a new version of the popular operating system Windows 8, users received another gift from the developers. Now the system has a built-in ability not only to burn images to disks, but also to create virtual drives, gaining easy access to the contents of the images.

Creating a virtual disk in Windows 8 has become very simple and, most importantly, it does not require the installation of additional software. The process is reduced to just a couple of mouse clicks. The operation of the virtual drive is completely similar to that of a connected DVD drive.

To create a new virtual disk, you will need any image file with the *.iso extension. By working with a virtual drive mounted from an ISO file, you will be able to view and copy files contained in the mounted image.

Instructions on how to create a virtual disk in Windows 8

To create a virtual disk in Windows 8, there are several easy-to-remember methods:

1. Open Explorer and go to the folder containing the file with the desired disk image (*.iso).

2. Double-clicking on the icon or image file name will automatically launch the corresponding operating system module and create a new virtual drive.

3. You can access the list of disks and removable media connected to your system using Explorer, using the "My Computer" link.

Now you can view and copy the files contained in the disk image completely freely, after which the disk can be disconnected. You can do this by selecting the virtual drive in Explorer and right-clicking on its icon, and select “Eject” from the drop-down menu that opens. In addition, in Windows 8 there is another and no less simple way to connect a new virtual drive:

1. Open Explorer and enter the folder with your virtual disk image file.

2. Select the file you are looking for and right-click on its icon.

3. In the context menu that appears, select “Connect”.

4. You can now use the newly created virtual drive, viewing or copying its contents completely freely.

By the way, several such virtual drives can be connected in the system. Among other things, creating and managing such disks can help in organizing a data archiving system and recording archives on DVD.

Please note that if the system does not experience what is described in these instructions, then most likely third-party software has changed the .iso file association. It is necessary to restore their association with Windows 8 Explorer, i.e. The default program for files with the .iso extension should be Explorer. It's easy to do.

One of the features of Windows8.1 was seriously improved work with virtual disks, support for which began with the previous version of the OS.

Starting with Windows 7, VHD (VirtualHardDisk) files appeared for the first time. Unlike the now familiar ISO image file, the VHD structure contains data about the file system. Images are perceived by the system as independent disk partitions, allowing you to even boot another system from them.

Creating a virtual disk

In Windows 8.1, a new virtual disk is created using the system utility. Open it and select the appropriate item in the “Action” menu:

In the window that opens, enter the file name and its size. Let's take advantage of the new feature of the operating system, noting the VHDX format, which supports virtual disks up to 64 TB.

The disk has appeared in the system, but will need to be initialized.

Since the VHDX format we chose is not compatible with previous operating systems, we feel free to choose the newer GPT.

Having initialized the disk, we observe it in the system. Now you need to create a new partition on it and format it.

The sequence of necessary actions was described in detail in. After completing the partitioning, we get a new disk in the system.

Mounting a virtual disk

In order to connect a disk that is automatically unmounted when turned off and rebooted, in “Disk Management” select “Attach”.

We select the desired VHDX file and see how a new disk has appeared in the system.

How can I test another version of Windows without reinstalling the existing system? One such method is to install a new system on virtual hard disk – file format VHD, a virtual analogue of a physical hard drive, located on the same hard drive, but simulating its own disk structure. The method of installing Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 on a virtual VHD disk will be discussed below.

But first, let’s look at the benefits of installing a second system on a virtual VHD disk.

1. VHD disk, another disk partition and a virtual machine: what's the difference?

Full work with operating systems, in particular the latest versions of Windows – 7, 8.1, 10, on virtual machines is only possible if you have a powerful computer. Plus, you need to understand that hypervisor programs like VMware Workstation or VirtualBox– this is not just another YouTube video downloader, and you still need to understand the functionality of such programs first. Whereas installing the OS on another disk partition or on a VHD disk does not require special computing power. Operating systems will not work one inside the other, and each of them, functioning separately, will be able to use the computer's resources to the fullest. And the load on the human brain is limited only by the peculiarities of choosing a location during the installation of the second system.

Installing Windows on another disk partition is not much different from installing it on a virtual VHD disk. In both the first and second cases, the installed system will take up exactly as much disk space as it needs. Whereas, for example, VMware Workstation virtual machines with a certain amount of virtual space actually take up almost half as much space on the hard drive of a physical computer.

There is no fundamental difference in the process of uninstalling Windows installed on another partition and on a virtual VHD disk. In both cases, you need to remove Windows from the boot menu in the system configuration section, then destroy the files themselves. The VHD file is deleted with the Delete button, like any other file, and the disk partition is formatted.

1. What are the benefits of installing an operating system on a VHD disk?

In fact, in comparison with installing Windows on another disk partition, installing the system on a virtual VHD disk has only two advantages, and the second can be considered as such only conditionally.

First advantage- this is that there is no need to bother with allocating a separate disk partition for the new system. After all, a VHD file can be created on any of the existing partitions, in any of the folders, and the new operating system will be neatly placed there.

Second advantage (that very conditional one) – this is the ability to move a VHD file without harm to the installed operating system. A VHD file with Windows installed can later be moved to other partitions or other hard drives (including external), other computer devices. Why is the advantage conditional? The fact is that after moving the VHD file, the bootloader, naturally, will not be able to independently determine the location of the operating system. Likewise, the bootloader of another computer will not be able to see the new system if you suddenly take and place a VHD file with Windows on it. You will need to edit the bootloader, and this is still dancing with a tambourine.

1. Installing Windows 7 and 8.1 on a VHD disk

To install Windows 7 and 8.1 on a VHD disk, you will need exactly the same DVD or bootable flash drive with the system distribution as for a regular installation. The only condition is that it should not be an assembly with reduced system functionality. It is advisable to use clean system images.

We boot from removable media and in the welcome window of the system installer click "Further".

Select system installation.

When choosing the installation type, click full.

We get to the menu for selecting disk partitions for the system being installed. We need command line , with the help of which we will carry out the necessary operations to create and display VHD -disk among other computer partitions. Press the Shift + F10 keys to call it.

In a command line environment - regardless of whether it is a Windows 7, 8.1 or 10 installation disk - switching to the English layout is done using the Shift + Alt keys.

The sequence of commands entered in our case will be as follows:

create vdisk file=”D:\OS7.vhd” type=fixed maximum=25600

select vdisk file=”D:\OS7.vhd”

In each individual case, only the second and third commands will differ.

First team — "diskpart"— used to call the computer's disk management utility.

Second – this is the command to create a virtual disk. Meaning "D:\OS7.vhd" we created VHD -file on disk D computer. Meaning type=fixed we installed the virtual disk fixed type. If you need a dynamically expanding virtual disk type, instead type=fixed must be entered type=expandable. Meaning maximum=25600– this is the size of the created virtual disk in megabytes. Our case is a test case, so the minimum volume was chosen - just 25600 MB (25 GB) . The next command must be started after this one has been successfully completed. We have to wait 100% completing the virtual disk creation process.

Third– virtual disk selection command. In each individual case, only the path will differ VHD-file. In our case, this is, accordingly, the value "D:\OS7.vhd".

Fourth– command to attach a virtual disk (mounting it into the system).

Once the virtual disk has been successfully attached, the command prompt window can be closed. Let's return to the partition selection menu for installing the system, here you need to press the button.

After this, unallocated space with the size of the virtual disk we created will appear among the disk partitions. Select this unallocated space, ignore the notification that Windows supposedly cannot be installed on such a partition, and click "Further".

After restarting the computer, we will see the boot selection menu. In our case, Windows 7 was installed last, so the bootloader will be in its format.

The Windows 8.1 and 10 boot menu is much nicer.

If the same version of Windows is installed on both the disk partition and the VHD disk, the virtual systems will be indicated by an icon with the file type VHD and indicating volumes installations.

We are going through the initial computer setup procedure.

1. Installing Windows 10 on a VHD disk

The process of installing Windows 10 on a VHD disk will be exactly the same as with its predecessor versions, with the exception of one small nuance. In the command line when creating a virtual disk, the value of its type is fixed or dynamically expandable – need to be swapped with the size value. That is, after the placement path VHD-file, first enter the value maximum=number_megabytes, then only - type=fixed (or type=expandable for a dynamically expandable disk) . In our case, installing Windows 10 on a VHD disk was accompanied by the following commands on the command line:

create vdisk file=”E:\w10.vhd” maximum=25600 type=fixed

select vdisk file=”E:\w10.vhd”

1. Setting the default system boot

Once in the environment of the installed system, we can (if necessary, of course) configure the loading order of the operating systems available on the computer. Whether it's installation on another disk partition, whether it's installation on a virtual VHD-disk – in any of these cases, the default boot will be the latest installed Windows. You can return boot priority to the first system and configure the display time of the bootloader menu in the section configurations. Press the Win + R keys to launch the utility "Run", enter the command, press Enter.

In the configuration window that opens, go to the tab. Select the desired system to boot by default, press the button "Use as default". Also in the column "Time-out" we can change the preset half a minute to select a system, reducing the time allotted for reflection. After all installations, click "Apply" And "OK".

1. Removing Windows installed on a VHD disk

There is nothing easier than getting rid of unnecessary Windows installed on VHD-disk. As already mentioned, this requires two simple steps. First– delete the VHD file.

Second– delete the boot entry in the system configuration section.