Windows 7: How to Attach VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) Files
Contributed by Rob Rogers 
Tagged: Microsoft Windows 7 I use Virtual PC quite a bit for checking out various operating systems. sometimes I have files on a virtual OS that I need to use on my real system. This usually means that I have to fire up Virtual PC and run the desired operating system. Windows 7 allows you to attach VHD files so that you can access the disks from your virtual OS without having to run Virtual PC.
1. Click the Windows Orb (Start button).
2. Right-click Computer and select Manage.
3. When the Computer Management window appears, go to the left pane, under Storage, and select Disk Management.
4. Go to the menu, click Action, and select Attach VHD (or right-click Disk Management and select Attach VHD).
5. Browse to the location of the desired VHD file. Select the file and click the Open button.
6. If you want to keep the virtual info from being changed, check the Attach this virtual hard disk file as read only checkbox.
7. Click the OK button.
The virtual drive will be attached. You can access the drive by going to computer and selecting it.
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Ankit said on November 10, 2008
How to do the same for a windows Vista operating system?? can u help ??
Rob Rogers said on November 11, 2008
Stay tuned . . . I am preparing a tutorial on that very thing. Should have it ready before the end of the week.
Anonymous said on November 19, 2008
Well i am eagerly waiting for your tutorial
I hope there a lot to learn from it
Plz make it as soon as possible
Gaspar Nagy said on December 11, 2008
Is there any (built-in) way to also mount ISO images? The Attach VHD says:
“The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.”
God said on January 25, 2009
Is there a way to do the same via a batch-file (or command input)?
Dennis Pauw said on May 30, 2009
Yes, why not attach iso’s also? That would be nice if it would be built-in to windows 7.
You can use DISKPART to do the same on the commandline.
Name said on April 2, 2010
That’s great, but how do you run it?
Michelle said on August 19, 2010
It didn’t work for me. I saved the backups on 10 dvd’s using WindowsImageBackup on Vista. I installed Windows 7 and was told it was easy to install but nothing is happening. I’m using the first disk and used your method…it seemed to be fine until I pressed ok and got this error message: THE REQUESTED OPERATION COULD NOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO A FILE SYSTEM LIMITATION. I rebooted, tried half dozen times but nothing. I need to access files…help!!
Martina said on August 29, 2010
I don´t have the option “attatch VHD”. is it because I have win 7 home edition? Is there any possibility how to get .vhd working on my computer?
Almecad said on April 21, 2011
Did you find the solution ?