We are aware of the fact that many times corruption takes place in the VHD files due to several unwanted reasons that can lead to loss of important data. If you are also dealing with VHD files corruption issue, just go on to read this blog post.
Virtual Hard Disk (VHD)
Virtual hard disk (VHD) works like a conventional physical hard drive. It is used on a virtual machine. It has a capability to create disk partitions, files/folders, run an OS and allow users to install any application on a virtual machine.
What is VHD File?
VHD file is created by Microsoft Virtual PC to store entire contents of a hard disk such as boot record, file systems, files, and folders, etc. VHD file is mainly used for backing up a system image. However, despite having many advantages, VHD files are also vulnerable to corruption which leads to inaccessibility of VHD files on a virtual machine.
Responsible factors for VHD file corruption
There could be several reasons that caused VHD file corruption issues. Few of them are listed below:
- Hard drive failure: Sudden hard drive failure due to bad sectors on the hard disk could lead you corruption of VHD files.
- Virus or malware attack: Virus or malware attack can harshly corrupt VHD file. Hence, it is advised to use a reliable antivirus program to protect your files from external threats.
- Faulty network: This is another reason for VHD file corruption. Transferring data over a faulty network can corrupt your essential VHD files.
- Sudden system shutdown: Sudden system shutdown due to power failure or any hardware or software issues can damage your VHD file if the virtual machine is open at that moment of time. Hence, it is advised to use a power backup device to avoid sudden system shutdown.
- VM paused state due to low disk free space: You might have face paused state error of virtual machine due to low disk free space. It can damage your VHD file.
How to repair VHD file?
This is a very common question raised by many users on different forum and discussion sites. However, there are many possible ways to repair VHD file from its corrupt state.
Top two manual methods to repair VHD File
Here I’m discussing two simple methods to repair corrupt VHD file as follows:
- Using Windows PowerShell Command
- By creating Virtual Server
Let’s discuss each one in detail:
Note: Before executing Windows PowerShell command, it is advised to take a backup copy of your essential VHD files to avoid data loss.
Repair VHD file using Windows PowerShell Command:
Windows PowerShell Command is always the first choice to repair VHD file for the users who are familiar with this command. You just need to run below command on Windows PowerShell to mount the VHD file in the root folder.
- Initially, you need to select the VHD file you want to mount – $VHDName = “V:\serverx.vhd“
- Get the MSVM_ImageManagementService
- $VHDService = get-wmiobject -class “Msvm_ImageManagementService” -namespace “root\virtualization” -computername “.”
- Now you can execute below command to mount VHD File
- $Result = $VHDService.Mount($VHDName)
- Finally, you can run a CHKDSK on this VHD
Repair VHD File by creating Virtual Server
You can also repair VHD file by creating a new virtual server. To perform this process, one can follow below steps:
- Create new virtual server and connect the new hard drive to it.
- Go to Settings, and add a hard drive.
- Once hard drive gets attached, browse the VHD file in it.
- Now, click on Virtual Disk Wizard and choose a Compact (Don’t forget to check on check-box states as convert it to a fixed size virtual hard disk).
- Finally, you can save the VHD file at the desired location.
An automated solution to repair corrupt VHD File
Professional VHD Recovery is an extremely powerful and reliable tool that helps you to repair your corrupt or damaged VHD file with ease. The tool performs safe recovery of VHD file without any alteration. Non-technical users can easily operate this tool as it requires less technical knowledge. VHD Recovery tool is highly compatible with all the MS Windows editions including Win 10.
Conclusion:
In this blog, I have explained top two manual methods to repair corrupt VHD file. However, both the above manual methods can be used only if you have a strong technical knowledge. Hence, I will suggest you opt for an automated solution to fix your VHD file corruption issue swiftly.
