Of course we can attach a previously created VHD file in Microsoft Virtual PC or Virtual Server, or create a VHD file in Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
To create a VHD file, click the Create option on the Action menu. Then a dialog box will appear, on this dialog we will specify the location to save this VHD file, select the properties for the VHD file as Dynamic (dynamic or resizable) or Fixed (fixed, cannot resize), and specify the size of the new virtual drive as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Create a new virtual drive.
In the first time we create the virtual drive, we will see the Microsoft VHD HBA device driver loaded.
Figure 4: Microsoft VHD HBA driver has been successfully installed.
Then in Disk Management we will see the new drive but we need to enable it, create a new disk and format it like any other drive. First, right-click on the new drive and select Initialize Disk .
Figure 5: Launching VHD Disk.
A message will appear asking us to confirm the process. Click OK .
Figure 6: The message appears when selecting Initialize Disk from the context menu.
Once done, right-click on this drive again select New Simple Volume to run the New Simple Volume Wizard .
Figure 7: New Simple Volume Wizard.
On this Wizard, select the drive, letter for the drive, format, and the size limit of the drive. When done, click Finish .
Figure 8: Check the installation information on the Complete page.
Once you have done the operation on the New Simple Volume Wizard, we will see a new drive like any other physical disk partition.
Figure 9: New VHD drive has been created.
In fact we won't be able to tell if this is a VHD file unless we right-click on this drive and see the Detach VHD option.
Figure 10: Detach VHD option in the context menu of the virtual drive.
Attaching a VHD is much simpler. Suppose we have selected the Detach option to remove the above VHD file. To attach a VHD file, go to the Action menu Select Attach VHD .
A message will then appear asking to browse for the VHD file and may choose to install this VHD file as Read-only or not, then click OK to attach the file.
Figure 11: Attach a VHD file.
We will then see this drive as shown in Figure 9.