Windows 7: How to Attach VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) Files

Contributor Icon Contributed by shamanstears Date Icon November 9, 2008  
Tag Icon Tagged: Windows

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
    How to do the same for a windows Vista operating system?? can u help ??
  • Stay tuned . . . I am preparing a tutorial on that very thing. Should have it ready before the end of the week.
  • Artificial
    Well i am eagerly waiting for your tutorial
    I hope there a lot to learn from it
    Plz make it as soon as possible
  • Is there any (built-in) way to also mount ISO images? The Attach VHD says:
    "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable."
  • God
    Is there a way to do the same via a batch-file (or command input)?
  • Dennis Pauw
    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.
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