VHD or VHDX File - Mount and Attach in Windows 8

How to Mount and Attach a VHD or VHDX File in Windows 8

information   Information
This 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.

warning   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 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).





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)​
Ribbon.jpg
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)​
Context-Menu.jpg
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)​
WIN+X.jpg
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)​
Disk_Management_Attach-1.jpg
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)​
Disk_Management_Attach-2.jpg
Disk_Management_Attach-3.jpg
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.​
Disk_Management_Attach-4.jpg
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





That's it,
Shawn


 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
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    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
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