Azure VHD image size reduction

Question

Hi Team,

when we build a VHD image, the size of image is expanded more than actual disk size.
Due to this we cannot publish our image into Azure portal.

Is there way to reduce the image size during the build itself ?
Please share if there is any official guidelines.

Thanks,
Kamaraj

Answer 1

Take a look at: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/hyper-v/optimize-vhd?view=windowsserver2022-ps

Also, take a look at the FSShrinkDisk script: https://github.com/FSLogix/Invoke-FslShrinkDisk (make sure you run this on a backup first). Used to shrink FSLogix VHDs, that are Dynamically expanding. I haven't tested this personally but could be an option.

Answer 2

Hi,

Thank you for posting the question to the Q&A forum.

As official guidelines can be found on this link on how to prepare the VHD: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/prepare-for-upload-vhd-image

I hope the above information can help you.

If the ANSWER is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it. Thanks

Answer 3

Hi,

Thanks for the answer. But the limation comes around 2TB for single VM image.
Our image crossed that limit. Is there any guidelines to shrink further on VHD image before pushing to Azure portal ?

Thanks,
Kamaraj

Answer 4

BTW we are checking with below link:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/linux/create-upload-generic

This uses qemu-img resize MyLinuxVM.raw $rounded_size ==> Can we use the increase the rounded size to shrink the % of size image ?
Will the azure not have any issue when booting the images ? Please suggest.

Thanks,
Kamaraj

Answer 5

Sure. will check thanks