Jun
21
2009

Install Windows 7 to a VHD and boot from it!

With Windows 7, you now have the option to boot the OS from a VHD, a virtual disk file, instead of a partition. This way, you don’t have to reconfigure your hard drive partitions.

This feature is similar to Ubuntu’s Wubi installer which uses a similar concept to avoid reconfiguring hard drive partitions.

Basically, instead of installing windows 7 to your physical HDD by getting rid of Vista or even dual booting off another partition, you can install to a virtual HDD (in VHD format), and boot off the VHD so you actually get the hardware functionality to play with!!

Limitations: Hibernate is not supported.Here are the simplified instructions:
1. Start Windows 7 installation from DVD or read this to start installation directly from hard disk.
2. Press Shift+F10 to start the command prompt.
3. Type diskpart to start Diskpart
4. Use the “create vdisk file=D:\Win7.vhd maximum=xxxxx” to create a virtual hard disk. Choose your drive and filename accordingly. xxxxx is in MB.
5. Type “select vdisk file=D:\Win7.vhd“.
6. Type “attach vdisk“. You will get a confirmation that it was attached.
7. Type “exit” to exit diskpart. And then close the command prompt.

8. Click on “Install Now” and install as you would normally by clicking on “Custom Install”. Choose your attached vdisk as the location.

Detailed guide with screenshots @SevenForums.Com

The installation takes care of adding the boot option to bcd. You don’t have to do anything.

See Virtual Hard Disk Booting on a tutorial for VHD booting.

Source:SpaceSurfer @MSFN

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About the Author: Bharat Balegere

Bharat Balegere is a 27 year old blogger from Bengaluru. He is a technology enthusiast and loves tinkering with computers and usb drives.

4 Comments + Add Comment

  • Dude…MAN ARE U SMART with all this stuff dude!!crzy man…simply crazy!!!

    • Aniruddh..please shut up

  • i was already ready to install Windows 7 but my installer was faulty so i got back to Windows XP instead.:;

  • i have problems installing windows7 on my PC, maybe i need a bios update,*.

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