How to Mount and Attach a VHD or VHDX File in Windows 8
InformationThis tutorial will show you how to mount and attach either a VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) or VHDX (Hyper-V Virtual Hard Disk) file as a drive in the Computer window for all users in Windows 8. Mount and attach is the same.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to mount/attach a VHD or VHDX file in Windows 8.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to mount/attach a VHD or VHDX file in Windows 8.
WarningMounted 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 unmounted/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 Directly Mount a VHD or VHDX
1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for what you would like to do.
2. Double click/tap on the .vhd or .vhdx file that you want to mount, and go to step 4 below.
3. In File Explorer, select (highlight) the .vhd or .vhdx file that you want to mount, click/tap on the Manage (Disc Image Tools) tab and on Mount button in the ribbon, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
4. Right click or press and hold on the .vhd or .vhdx file that you want to mount, click/tap on Mount, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
5. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.
OPTION TWO
To Attach a 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), click/tap on Action (menu bar) and on Attach VHD. (see screenshot below)
4. Click/tap on Browse, navigate to and select the .vhd or .vhdx file (ex: Ultimate.vhd) that you want to mount, click/tap on Open. (see screenshots below)
5. If you want the mounted .vhd or .vhdx to be read-only while it's attached as a drive, then check the box, otherwise leave it unchecked. Click/tap on OK. (see top screenshot above)
6. The .vhd or .vhdx file is now mounted and attached as a drive. The drive(s) will also open in a separate File Explorer window(s). (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.
7. When finished, you can close Disk Management if you like.
OPTION THREE
To Create and Attach a New VHD or VHDX in Disk Management
1. For how, see: How to Create and Attach a VHD or VHDX File in Windows 8
That's it,
Shawn
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