VHD or VHDX File - Unmount and Detach in Windows 8

How to Unmount and Detach a VHD or VHDX File in Windows 8

information   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.

Note   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   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).





OPTION ONE

To Unmount a Mounted VHD or VHDX by Restarting Computer


1. Restart or shut down the computer in Windows 8.​
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.​
Computer-Eject.jpg
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)​
WIN+X.jpg
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)​
Disk_Management_Detach-1.jpg
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)​
Disk_Management_Detach-2.jpg
5. When finished, you can close Disk Management if you like.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

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