January 10th, 2009
How-to: Getting started with .VHD files in Windows 7
Some of you seem confused about how Windows 7 goes about supporting .VHD files as used by Virtual PC, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V. Here’s a quick how-to work with .VHD files in Windows 7.
OK, let’s begin with a Windows 7 beta 1 install. Fire up a Command Prompt and type the following:
diskpart
Note: Press ENTER after each line to execute the commands.
You’re now ready to create a blank .VHD file. The following command creates a 16GB VHD file in a folder called virtual (you can put the .VHD anywhere, but create any folder in advance):
create vdisk file=c:\virtual\win7.vhd type=fixed maximum=16000
It’ll take a few minutes for the .VHD file to be created - took about 10 minutes on my test system. Diskpart will tell you once it’s done.
OK, now to install Windows 7 beta 1 into the .VHD. Pop the Windows 7 beta DVD into the DVD drive and reboot the system and boot up off the disc. Once the Windows 7 installer is up and running, choose your language and once you’re on the Install now screen, press SHIFT+F10 to bring up a Command Prompt.
Into the Command Prompt window, and first check to find out what drive letter has been assigned to your system partition (for me it was d:\). Make a note of the drive letter.
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Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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