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VHD Attach enables right-click mounting and dismounting of VHD files in Windows 7
One of Windows 7's slick new features is its handling of VHD (virtual hard disk) files. You can use them for a number of handy functions - from discreetly archiving files and folders to booting a full-fledged Vista, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 install via your Windows 7 boot.ini.
But VHDs aren't as easy to work with out-of-the-box as they could be. To mount and unmount, you've got to head over to the Disk Management snap-in (diskmgmt.msc), wait for the screen to populate, go to actions->attach (or detach), browse for your VHD, and then wait some more.
VhdAttach speeds the process up by adding two entries to your context menu. Mouse over a .VHD file, right-click it, and you can mount and dismount right from Windows Explorer. Left click attach, and your VHD will pop up alongside your physical hard disks. When you're all done, detaching is just as simple.
The control app (inset in screenshot) which can open your VHDs and display information about them. You can also attach and detach from this screen.
VhdAttach is a free download and works with both Windows 7 and Server 2008.
But VHDs aren't as easy to work with out-of-the-box as they could be. To mount and unmount, you've got to head over to the Disk Management snap-in (diskmgmt.msc), wait for the screen to populate, go to actions->attach (or detach), browse for your VHD, and then wait some more.
VhdAttach speeds the process up by adding two entries to your context menu. Mouse over a .VHD file, right-click it, and you can mount and dismount right from Windows Explorer. Left click attach, and your VHD will pop up alongside your physical hard disks. When you're all done, detaching is just as simple.
The control app (inset in screenshot) which can open your VHDs and display information about them. You can also attach and detach from this screen.
VhdAttach is a free download and works with both Windows 7 and Server 2008.
Comments
5
Subscribe to commentsDrew GreenNov 3rd 2009 9:14PM
First off, there's no boot.ini anymore. Now it's all about this fancy BCD business. Secondly, I'm pretty sure you can't boot Vista or 2008 in a VHD (tried, and tried, and tried...). You can only boot a VHD-aware OS (currently only 7 or 2008 R2).
Not trying to be a dick, just want to straighten the facts.
Lee MathewsNov 3rd 2009 9:15PM
Good call, Drew. I hadn't been monkeying with booting VHD in ages and was going on recall. Thanks for the fact check!
Zach Al-NasserNov 6th 2009 2:53AM
So let me get this straight:
I can have another windows 7 image in a vhd file on my hard drive, and fully boot into it?
Drew GreenNov 6th 2009 7:25AM
Yes, that's right. Currently I have Win 7 as my main OS and a 2008 R2 VHD at the root of my C: drive. I boot into the VHD when I want to do some testing. If I ever want to remove the OS from my system all I need to do is delete the file (and remove the boot entry).
Brent FriedmanNov 7th 2009 2:39PM
Why does this look familiar? Oh yes, I posted (and made) a very similar utility on my site back in July.. I don't know why people have to copy concepts/ideas/features (right click automation of attaching and detaching vhds, file type handler, and the exact same Windows icon) instead of coming up with their own. If you do copy something, you give credit to the original author. In this case, you'd say where you got the idea. He might not have ripped the idea from my utility and in that case, I am sorry for posting this. However, since the utilities look very similar there is a much slimmer chance of that.
I'm not trying to complain, but you've got to admit that is rather annoying. I spent many days going into a unique utility with brainstorming, development, and debugging, only to have the concept ripped off by someone else. If you do make a utility that is similar to another, you make sure it has different features or functions versus a clone. Again, I apologize if I am wrong but I am sure you can understand my frustration.
http://blog.compugeeksoftware.com/blog/software/vhd-utilities-for-windows-7/
http://blog.compugeeksoftware.com/blog/software/updates/vhd-mount-1-0-2-0/
Kind Regards,
Brent Friedman - Owner of CompuGeek Software