Trying to install bootable Windows 7 on a Virtual Hard Drive

I'm trying to install 7 on a VHD using the command prompt. Now it does work but the problem is that it installs 7 Basic when I do it like this. I have Professional. Now I can use the Anytime Upgrade and use my product key to get Pro activated but because I'm in basic, 7 won't work on the VHD at boot. When it asks for my product key upon first time setup, it doesn't work since it's looking for a Basic product key.

Is there a way to get 7 Pro on the VHD through the CMD?

Thanks.

I'm trying to install it on a VHD, which is located on my C drive. When I try to boot with the disk and install, it doesn't detect the VHD partition. So without the option, I assume CMD is the best way to do it. Unfortunately, I only get Basic through that. I am using Imagex.exe to do it, if that makes a difference.

Also, I'm just trying to see if it'll work. It seems like a decent and quick way to install operating systems and using VHDs, there's a lot I can mess with.

Well, I changed the "1" to a "3" in the CMD and got professional. Product key worked but it still won't boot into Windows using the VHD. Disappointing.

I'll check out the program you suggested and see what happens.

EDIT: Just found out that it won't boot from a VHD in Professional. It will only work in Ultimate or Enterprise. Very disappointing.

Chrono said:

Well, I changed the "1" to a "3" in the CMD and got professional. Product key worked but it still won't boot into Windows using the VHD. Disappointing.

I'll check out the program you suggested and see what happens.

EDIT: Just found out that it won't boot from a VHD in Professional. It will only work in Ultimate or Enterprise. Very disappointing.

Totally NOT true. I run 7, 8, Linux and XP from a Virtual HDD (VHD) without problems. Your problem comes from trying to boot to the VHD without a Virtual Machine Program installed on your system. With all virtual machines it need a HOST OS to work from. It can't boot without first loading the Host OS.

edwar said:

Chrono said:

Well, I changed the "1" to a "3" in the CMD and got professional. Product key worked but it still won't boot into Windows using the VHD. Disappointing.

I'll check out the program you suggested and see what happens.

EDIT: Just found out that it won't boot from a VHD in Professional. It will only work in Ultimate or Enterprise. Very disappointing.

Totally NOT true. I run 7, 8, Linux and XP from a Virtual HDD (VHD) without problems. Your problem comes from trying to boot to the VHD without a Virtual Machine Program installed on your system. With all virtual machines it need a HOST OS to work from. It can't boot without first loading the Host OS.

I got the idea to do this here:

Installing a Fresh Windows OS to a New Bootable VHD with no Host OS for Boot to VHD | John Papa

He says you can boot a VHD straight off the HDD without a host OS. I assume a Virtual Machine Program would be something like VMware?

According to this thread...
Compare Windows 7 Editions
...you are correct, only the Ultimate and Enterprise flavors of W7 will boot to a VHD without a host OS. The author of that blog should edit it to state that upfront. It would save some people some time.

As far as using a VM program - yes, you can...
...load an OS (might need an OS license)
...then install VM software (like VirtualBox)
...then create a VHD to install W7 into (need W7 license).

Okay, I downloaded Virtual Box. I suppose there isn't a way to install 7 via CMD with it? Haven't used it before. Also, using VB, I assume I need a host OS to use the Virtual OS file?

Chrono said:

Okay, I downloaded Virtual Box. I suppose there isn't a way to install 7 via CMD with it? Haven't used it before. Also, using VB, I assume I need a host OS to use the Virtual OS file?

Yes you need a host OS to to run the virtual OS.

As for installing, just use your Windows 7 install disc when your creating the virtual machine. The program walks you through it