How to create and set up new VHD or VHDX File in Windows 11/10

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Today, nosotros will see how to create and prepare (initialized and formatted) a new VHD and VHDX virtual hard disk file in Windows xi/x using Disk Management. Only before we brainstorm, we will run across what is a VHD and VHDX.

What is VHD and VHDX

VHD (Virtual Hard disk) is a file format that represents a virtual hard disk (HDD). It may contain what is found on a physical HDD, such as deejay partitions and a file system, which in turn can contain files and folders. Information technology is typically used every bit the hard disk of a virtual machine.
VHDX is a Hyper-5 virtual hard disk file format. VHDX has a much larger 64 TB storage capacity than the older VHD format 2TB limit. It too provides data corruption protection during power failures and optimizes structural alignments of dynamic and differencing disks to prevent performance degradation on new, large-sector concrete disks.

Y'all can choose to have a fixed size or dynamically expanding VHD or VHDX file.

Fixed size = This type of disk provides better functioning. The virtual hard disk file is allocated to its maximum size when the virtual hard disk is created.
Dynamically expanding = This type of disk provides amend use of concrete storage space. The virtual hard deejay file grows to its maximum size as data is written to the virtual hard disk.

Once you take the new .vhd or .vhdx file created and set up, yous tin can copy or move it to any Windows 10 PC yous want to mount information technology on.

When you mountain a .vhd or .vhdx file in Windows, it will be added as a bulldoze in This PC to open it from.

Create a new VHD or VHDX file in Windows 11/ten

Printing Windows central + R. In the Run dialog box, type diskmgmt.msc, hit Enter to open Disk Direction.
Click Action in the menu bar, and click Create VHD.
On the dialog that pops up, click the Browse button.
Navigate to and select and open up the location (binder or drive) where y'all desire to create and save the .vhd or .vhdx file at, type a file name you want, and click Save.
Enter a size (eg: "1 GB") you desire for the virtual hard disk.
Select the radio button for VHD orVHDX for what virtual hard disk format you desire.
Select the radio button for Fixed size orDynamically expanding for the virtual difficult deejay type you want.
Click OK.

You have now successfully created a VHD or VHDX file.

How to set up new VHD or VHDX file via Disk Direction

1. Open the new blank .vhd or .vhdx file you lot created.

This will add together the new virtual hard disk equally an unknown (not initialized) unallocated disk in Disk Management.

2. Click OK in theCouldn't Mount File mistake message prompt.

three. OpenDisk Management (Press Win + R. Type diskmgmt.msc in the box, hit Enter).

4. Right-click on the unknown disk (eg: "Disk one") for the unallocated virtual hard disk drive, and click Initialize Disk.

5. In theInitialize Deejay dialog, select the radio push for MBR or GPT for the division style you want for virtual difficult deejay, and click OK.

6. In theDisk Direction, correct-click the unallocated disk for the virtual difficult disk, and click New Simple Volume.

7. In theNew Simple Book Sorcerer dialog, click Side by side.

8. Make sure theElementary volume size is the aforementioned size asMaximum deejay infinite (eg: 1021), and click Next.

9. Select the radio push button for Assign the following drive alphabetic character, select a drive letter (eg: "E") you want in the driblet bill of fare for the virtual hd, and click Next.

If you only want to prepare the virtual hard disk without mounting it correct now, yous can select the radio button for Do not assign a bulldoze letter or drive path instead.

ten. Select the radio button for Format this volume with the following settings, select thefile system (eg: NTFS) y'all want for the virtual hd, type a volume characterization (eg: "Lab VHD") you lot want for the mounted virtual hard disk name, and click Next.

xi. Click Terminate.

You lot can now go out Disk Management.

You have successfully ready a VHD or VHDX file which you can now mountain andunmount on whatever Windows ten organization.

We hope you lot observe this tutorial on how to create and set a new VHD or VHDX File in Windows 10.

All the best!

Obinna Onwusobalu, has studied Information & Advice Technology and is a corking follower of the Windows ecosystem. He runs a computer software clinic. He says it's best practise to create a System Restore Indicate before making any changes to your PC.