Windows 10 Technical Preview
Guide to install Windows 10 Technical Preview using VHDs. Microsoft

What we know so far is Microsoft's 'Windows Insider Program' gives users access to the latest Windows 10 Technical Preview. But, what about VHDs or Virtual Hard Disks?

Neowin has shared methods to create, boot and install Windows 10 using VHD. The VHDs can be created in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. VHDs can be created via Computer/Disk Management Console, diskpart and PowerShell. Check out the guides below to create a VHD. You can use either of them.

Create VHD through Computer/Disk Management

Step-1: Open compmgmt as an administrator. To do so click Start then type compmgmt.msc, right click and chose Run as administrator from the drop down menu

Step-2: From Computer Management, right click the Disk Management and choose create VHD

Step-3: You will be asked to specify a location for VHD on the system

  • Set the disk size (You may select 32GB)
  • Choose Fixed size (which means the VHD will be of 32GB)

Step-4: Click OK

Step-5: The VHD should be attached automatically, if it is not then right click on Disk Management and choose Attach VHD

Step-6: Click Browse and choose VHD. Click OK

Or, Create VHD through Computer/Disk Management

Step-1: Open a command prompt as an administrator. Click Start, type CMD and right click on the first option and choose Run as administrator

Step-2: Type diskpart in the command prompt window and press enter

Step-3: Now type in the following command and press enter

create vdisk file=C:VHDWin10_2.vhd maximum=32768 type=fixed

Step-4: Type select vdisk file=C:VHDWin10_2.vhd and press enter

Step-5: Type attach vdisk and press enter

Step-6: Type exit and press return

Once you have the VHD ready, the next step is to install Windows 10.

How to Install Windows 10 using Virtual hard Disk

Step-1: Insert Windows 10 USB media into the laptop/desktop and then boot it

Step-2: Go through language/regional options, license confirmation and installation type screens

Step-3: When it asks where to install Windows screen, press Shift+F10 to get a command prompt window

Step-4: Type diskpart

Step-5: Add the vdisks, created in the previous step, to the list of available disks

a) Select vdisk file=D:VHDWin10.vhd

Step-6: Type attach vdisk and press enter

Step-7: Close the command prompt and refresh the list of disks

Step-8: Choose now added-to-the-list vdisk, click Next

Step-9: Wait for some time until the installation is completed, after which the operating system will appear after the system boots up

Your laptop/dekstop should now be updated with Windows 10.

Microsoft Windows 10