How to Create VHD from Physical Disk
Creating a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) from a physical disk is a valuable process for various reasons, such as testing software, experimenting with different operating systems, or creating a backup of your system. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to create a VHD from a physical disk using Windows and third-party tools.
Using Windows Disk Management
One of the simplest ways to create a VHD from a physical disk is by using Windows Disk Management. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open Disk Management by searching for “Disk Management” in the Start menu.
2. Right-click on the physical disk you want to create a VHD from and select “Shrink Volume.”
3. Enter the amount of space you want to allocate for the VHD and click “Shrink.”
4. Once the shrink process is complete, you will see an unallocated space on the disk.
5. Right-click on the unallocated space and select “New Simple Volume.”
6. Follow the prompts to create the new volume, and select “VHD” as the file system.
7. Choose the location for the VHD file and specify the size of the VHD.
8. Click “Next” and then “Finish” to create the VHD.
Using VirtualBox
VirtualBox is a popular virtualization software that allows you to create VHDs from physical disks. Here’s how to create a VHD using VirtualBox:
1. Download and install VirtualBox from the official website.
2. Open VirtualBox and click on “New” to create a new virtual machine.
3. Enter a name for the virtual machine and select the operating system you want to install.
4. Click “Next” and allocate the amount of memory you want to assign to the virtual machine.
5. In the “Hard Disk” section, select “Use an existing hard disk file” and click “Next.”
6. Choose the VHD file you created earlier and click “Next.”
7. Configure the virtual machine settings according to your requirements and click “Create.”
Using Third-Party Tools
Several third-party tools can help you create VHDs from physical disks. One such tool is “Macrium Reflect,” which offers a user-friendly interface and powerful features. Here’s how to create a VHD using Macrium Reflect:
1. Download and install Macrium Reflect from the official website.
2. Open Macrium Reflect and click on “Create a new backup.”
3. Select “Disk Backup” and click “Next.”
4. Choose the physical disk you want to create a VHD from and click “Next.”
5. Select the destination for the VHD file and specify the size of the VHD.
6. Click “Next” and then “Start Backup” to create the VHD.
Conclusion
Creating a VHD from a physical disk is a straightforward process that can be achieved using Windows Disk Management, VirtualBox, or third-party tools like Macrium Reflect. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create a VHD and utilize it for various purposes, such as testing software or creating a backup of your system.
