Windows 7: Boot from a VHD using Windows 7

You have to run Sysprep after doing a clean installation


The VHD boot support for other OS like XP or Vista is crippled since the framework is missing, probably until an RTM Windows 7 release...For now you can only boot Windows 7 from a VHD while using Windows 7

after following the tut.....i tried to install windows 7 from it's iso within the system but got this error message saying:






pls help me guys.....i wud be so thankful to u

You can only do this by booting from the DVD, you cant install to a VHD from within windows

thanks for correcting me........i'll try dvd install...

Thaks a lot steven

I was able to get VHD_Boot on my Windows Boot Manager but is does not boot properly.. It always goes to Startup Repair.

Do I need to have OS pre-installed on the VHD before doing this?

I'm also not very familiar with VirtualOS configuration. I just followed the procedure on step 1 link and go on with this procedure after it.

Appreciate your help..

Can a windows 7 booted from a VHD see my other HDD's and partitions?

I would think so otherwise how would you "Boot the VHD" if its doesnt contain any bootable MBR or BootSect or OS?

if you dont have a vhd with an os, you can run windows 7 os and create a vhd using diskpart and install to that. dual boot is done automatically for you. follow the tutorial on this site.

i have the vhd with me, but i run xp , can i boot of it using a vista boot disk floppy??

I don't think you need a pre-installed OS.

Have done this:
In VMWare I created a hard disk with 100 Gb. Only pre formatted with NTFS. No OS installed. Then I have booted Windows 7 installation DVD and follow the instructions to install into VHD.

After installation Windows 7 boots from VHD file. On hard disk there are only: Folder "boot" and files "bootmgr", "Windows 7.vhd" and "pagefile.sys". Perhaps whilst installation the MBR was changed.