VHD File Extension
Virtual PC Virtual Hard Disk
- File Type vhd
- Developer Microsoft
- Popularity
- Application Windows Virtual PC
- Category Virtual Machine Files
- Format Binary
What is a VHD file?
Virtual PC Virtual Hard Disk, identified by the VHD extension, is a Virtual Machine Files type and includes 56 files.
The Virtual PC Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) was developed by Microsoft, which created file format and 242 programs to work with them.
VHD files are supported by Windows, Mac OS and Linux. To open a VHD file, you can choose from 11 programs such as Windows Virtual PC, 7-zip and Parallels Desktop.
Programs that support VHD files
How to open a VHD file?
If you cannot open a VHD file, it is most often due to missing software. Select a program from the list according to your operating system. Then go to the official website of the program developer, download it, and install it on your device.
The most popular programs for working with VHD files are Windows Virtual PC, 7-zip and Parallels Desktop. To get the latest version of Windows Virtual PC, open the Microsoft website where a universal installer for all operating systems is available.
Once the process is complete, Windows Virtual PC should take over as the default application for VHD files.
Set Windows Virtual PC to open VHD by default
Changing the default program in Windows
- Right click on your VHD file, then select "Open with" and click "Choose another application";
- Find the Windows Virtual PC application in the pop-up window and select it as your preferred program;
- Select the "Always use this application" check box and click "OK" to save your selection as the default application for opening VHD files.
Change default apps on Mac
- Right-click or use Control + Left-click on the desired VHD file to access the file’s context menu;
- Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
- At the bottom of the window, you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, will be set to "Recommended Programs";
- Choose "All Programs" in this menu and search for Windows Virtual PC. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.
Convert to and from VHD
If a VHD file is difficult to handle, you might try converting it to formats such as ISO, VMDK, OVF, VHDX, OVA or similar, which may be easier to work with.
Please note that after converting a VHD file, some functionality may differ from the original. However, in many cases, it can be converted back to its original format.
Offline software, including Parallels Workstation, StarWind V2V Converter and Parallels Desktop, allows smooth conversion of VHD files while preserving original quality.
Convert VHD to other file formats
Converting Files to VHD Format
Easy VHD Troubleshooting
Rest assured, any issues with VHD files can typically be addressed with simple software adjustments. See the tips below for help.
How do I know if my VHD file is corrupted?
Corrupted VHD virtual machine files may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- The file shows errors when trying to open it or does not open completely;
- Poor performance when editing a file in Windows Virtual PC;
- Opening or processing the file in Windows Virtual PC or other programs causes instability or crashes in the program;
- Unexpected expansion of the total size of the VHD file;
- Error messages appear while working with the file;
Why does Windows Virtual PC quit or crash unexpectedly?
The likely cause of Windows Virtual PC crashing is lack of software updates. Install the latest updates available for Microsoft products.
Restarting your computer is often an effective solution to resolve various common problems. Therefore, it is recommended to do so before making any changes to the software configuration.
What methods can be used to repair a damaged VHD file?
Open the corrupted VHD file in a recovery program and select the "Repair" menu item. Wait for the recovery process to finish, as it will automatically repair damaged virtual machine files.
How to edit a VHD file?
To edit VHD files, you need to install specialized software that allows you not only to open but also to modify virtual machine files. Online VHD editors usually provide fewer features than software created specifically for Virtual PC Virtual Hard Disk.
List of Top VHD editors 2026
Based on the criteria above, here is a selection of VHD editors you can use.
| VHD Editor Software | Developer | Platforms | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Virtual PC | Microsoft | Mac OS, Windows | 4.8 out of 5 (44 reviews) |
| Microsoft Windows | Microsoft | Windows | 4.7 out of 5 (43 reviews) |
| Simple VHD Manager | Sordum | Windows | 4.6 out of 5 (46 reviews) |
| VirtualBox | Oracle | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | 4.6 out of 5 (41 review) |