Restart your computer and press the designated setup key (usually F2, F10, F12, or Del) to enter the BIOS/UEFI. Navigate to the , Processor , or Security tab. Locate Virtualization Technology and switch it to Enabled . Save your changes and exit to reboot into your main OS. Turn on Hyper-V (For Native Windows Environments)
VHD is the older format; VHDX is the modern, more robust successor with larger capacity support. Use Cases: Running Windows 10 in a Virtual Machine (VM).
If you prefer to run the VHD inside a window while keeping your host OS open, use Hyper-V.
This enables you to boot your computer natively using the VHD as the main operating system drive. Requires Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise. windows 10 vhd image download install
create vdisk file="C:\VHD\Win10.vhdx" maximum=60000 type=expandable select vdisk file="C:\VHD\Win10.vhdx" attach vdisk create partition primary assign letter=V format fs=NTFS quick exit
(useful for multi-boot setups):
Now, . During boot, you should see a menu: Restart your computer and press the designated setup
Restart your computer. You will now see an option to boot into the Windows 10 installation stored on your VHD. Summary Checklist for VHD Installation
You will need to use dism.exe to apply a Windows image ( install.wim ) to this mounted VHD.
bcdboot copies the boot files from your VHDX drive ( V:\ ) to the System Reserved partition or EFI partition ( S: ). Save your changes and exit to reboot into your main OS
Microsoft does not provide a direct ".vhd" file for download; instead, you must download the official ISO and use it to install into a VHD you create.
You can trigger the direct ISO download link using your browser's developer tools.
This guide was compiled from Microsoft's official documentation, Windows community forums, and real-world experience with Windows 10 VHDX deployment. Always ensure you have proper licensing for your Windows installation. Evaluation copies are for testing purposes only and require a valid product key for continued use beyond the trial period.
command to add the VHD's Windows installation to your PC's boot menu so you can select it when starting your computer