Natively boot Windows with a virtual HDD
A few days ago Microsoft released a new build for Windows 10 and I wanted to give it a try. However, I didn’t want to resize my partitions or overwrite my Windows 8.1 partition.
Well, then install it in a VM!
Then I wouldn’t have access to all of my RAM and CPU, so that wasn’t a solution either. However, I found the ideal solution.
Apparently you can install Windows in a virtual hard drive. Let me guide you through:
- Create a new VHD-file and remember the path to it. You can use Disk Management (run
diskmgmt.msc
) and click Action and Create VHD. I made it about 70 GB big with a dynamic size. - Boot into the Windows installation (use Rufus or something similar to create a bootable USB stick).
- Select Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced), not an Upgrade.
- Now you have to select the partition on which you want to install Windows. Press SHIFT+F10 to open a command prompt instead.
- Enter
diskpart
to open the DiskPart utility. - In DiskPart enter
select vdisk file=C:\Windows10.vhd
with the correct path to your VHD to select the VHD. - Now enter
attach vdisk
and close the command prompt. - If you now press Refresh you will see unallocated space on a newly added disk station, that is your virtual hard drive. Select it.
- You can now continue installing Windows as usual.
I was surprised to find out about this possibility. This way you can try the new Windows in full without compromising your production environment.
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