How to Unmount and Detach a VHD or VHDX File in Windows 8
Information
This tutorial will show you how to unmount and detach a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) or VHDX (Hyper-V Virtual Hard Disk) file that was mounted/attached as a drive in the Computer window for all users in Windows 8.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to unmount/detach a VHD or VHDX file in Windows 8.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to unmount/detach a VHD or VHDX file in Windows 8.
Note
When you unmount/detach a mounted .vhd or .vhdx file, it will not delete the .vhd or .vhdx file. It will only remove it as a drive in the Computer window.
Warning
Mounted VHD or VHDX files will only stay attached as a drive for the current session of Windows 8. When you restart or shut down the computer, any attached VHD or VHDX files will automatically be detached as a drive from Computer.
You will have to mount/attach the VHD or VHDX file(s) again to have it displayed as a drive in the Computer window again until the next restart.
Signing off or switching user, will not affect any mounted/attached VHD or VHDX file(s).
You will have to mount/attach the VHD or VHDX file(s) again to have it displayed as a drive in the Computer window again until the next restart.
Signing off or switching user, will not affect any mounted/attached VHD or VHDX file(s).
OPTION ONE
To Unmount a Mounted VHD or VHDX by Restarting Computer
2. When Windows 8 starts up next, the mounted VHD or VHDX will be unmounted/detached.
OPTION TWO
To Eject a Mounted VHD or VHDX in "Computer" File Explorer Window
1. In File Explorer, open the Computer window, and do step 2 or 3 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: For example, the Ultimate.vhd I mounted (Disk 1) is a Windows Virtual PC .vhd file that had two partitions on it, so it created two drive letters (F and G) in my Computer window. I can select either F or G to unmount both since they are from the same VHD.
2. In Computer, right click or press and hold on a drive (ex: F or G ) that is a mounted .vhd or .vhdx file that you want to detach, click/tap on Eject, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot above)
3. In Computer, select (highlight) a drive (ex: F or G ) that is a mounted .vhd or .vhdx file that you want to detach, click/tap on the Manage (Drive Tools) tab and on Eject in the Ribbon, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot above)
4. When finished, you can close the Computer window if you like.
OPTION THREE
To Detach a Mounted VHD or VHDX in Disk Management
1. Open the WIN+X Power User Tasks menu, and click/tap on Disk Management. (see screenshot below)
2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
3. In Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc), right click or press and hold on the Disk # (ex: Disk 1) that is a mounted .vhd or .vhdx file that you want to detach, and click/tap on Detach VHD. (see screenshot below)
4. Make note of where the detached VHD is located at incase you would like to mount it again in the future, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
5. When finished, you can close Disk Management if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
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