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VHD File - What is a .vhd file and how do I open it?
Learn about .VHD files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a VHD file? A VHD file contains a virtual hard disk image used by Microsoft Windows Virtual PC, a Windows virtualization program. It stores the contents of a hard disk of a virtual machine (VM), which may include disk partitions, a file system, files, and folders. VHD files may be used to install multiple operating systems on a single computer, test software programs, or run older applications.
More Information The VHD Image Format Specification has been available as a royalty-free license since June, 2005. The VHDX format was introduced in 2012 as an extension of the VHD format. Virtual hard disks saved in the VHDX format are stored in .VHDX files.
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DeveloperN/A
Popularity3.6 | 27 Votes
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In-Depth
.VHD File Extension
2 file types use the .vhd file extension.
Virtual PC Virtual Hard Disk
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
4.0 | 112 Votes |
NEW: Open your .VHD file online with File Helper . View Online
What is a VHD file?
A VHD file contains a virtual hard disk image used by Microsoft Windows Virtual PC, a Windows virtualization program. It stores the contents of a hard disk of a virtual machine (VM), which may include disk partitions, a file system, files, and folders. VHD files may be used to install multiple operating systems on a single computer, test software programs, or run older applications.
More Information
The VHD Image Format Specification has been available as a royalty-free license since June, 2005. The VHDX format was introduced in 2012 as an extension of the VHD format. Virtual hard disks saved in the VHDX format are stored in .VHDX files.
How to open a VHD file
You can mount VHD files with various virtualization programs and launch the virtual machine they contain, including Microsoft File Explorer (bundled with Windows), VMWare Workstation (Windows, Linux), VMWare Fusion (Mac), and QEMU (cross-platform). For example, to mount a VHD file with Windows File Explorer, right-click the VHD file and select Mount .
You can also use 7-Zip (Windows) to examine a VHD file's contents without mounting it.
Programs that open VHD files
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Pricing
Program Name
Platform
Reset
X
Windows
File Viewer Plus
—
Get it from Microsoft
Free +
Microsoft File Explorer
Included with OS
Microsoft Virtual Server
Free
Microsoft Windows Server
Free Trial
Microsoft Windows Virtual PC
—
Discontinued
Free
Oracle VM VirtualBox
Free
VMWare Workstation
Free Trial
VMware Workstation Player
Free
QEMU
Free
Smart Projects IsoBuster
Paid
7-Zip
Free
Aryson VHD Recovery
Free Trial
Mac
Oracle VM VirtualBox
Free
VMware Fusion
Paid
QEMU
Free
Linux
Oracle VM VirtualBox
Free
VMWare Workstation
Free Trial
VMware Workstation Player
Free
QEMU
Free
Web
FileHelper.com
Free
Android
IBochs PC Emulator
—
Discontinued
Free
Limbo PC Emulator
Free
Category: Disk Image Files
Updated: June 30, 2021
VHDL Source File
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
3.6 | 27 Votes |
Source file written in VHDL, which stands for Very High Speed Integrated Circuits (VHSIC) Hardware Description Language (HDL); often used for automating the design of electrical circuits and components.
More Information
Electronic engineers can use VHDL to describe hardware components in a text-based format. This description can then be used to manufacture a physical circuit such as a motherboard, processor, or memory module.
Programs that open VHD files
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Pricing
Program Name
Platform
Reset
X
Windows
File Viewer Plus
—
Get it from Microsoft
Free +
Xilinx ISE Design Suite
Free Trial
Mentor Graphics ModelSim
Free Trial
Green Mountain DirectVHDL
Paid
Any text editor
Mac
Green Mountain DirectVHDL
Paid
Any text editor
Linux
Xilinx ISE Design Suite
Free Trial
Mentor Graphics ModelSim
Free Trial
Any text editor
Category: Developer Files
Updated: January 10, 2012