Using VHDMount with Virtual PC

So maybe you are using Virtual PC, and having read about VHDMount you are thinking:

"Gee, I would like to be able to use that tool - but I only use Virtual PC.  I know I could install Virtual Server on my computer (and it would work fine and not interfere with Virtual PC) but that seems like overkill.  Why didn't Microsoft include this with Virtual PC!  Why is life so hard!! Doesn't anyone care about the little guy anymore!!!"

Well - after you have calmed down - I will tell you not to worry.  There is no sinister plan here to force people to install Virtual Server - it is just that Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 is the first product to ship with this functionality.  Plus - you can easily install VHDMount all by itself.  What you need to do is:

1. Download the Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 installation from https://www.microsoft.com/virtualserver (free download)
2. Launch the setup program and select to install Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1.
3. Accept the EULA, enter your details, and then select Custom for your setup type.
4. Now you can unselect every feature except VHD Mount.

Completing the installation will get you a copy of VHDMount without any other Virtual Server stuff.

Cheers,
Ben

Comments

• Anonymous
  June 20, 2007
  Thank Ben, that's great - I was not aware that VPC and VServer could co-exist - that's great, because I've been meaning to play with virtual server for a while now!

• Anonymous
  June 21, 2007
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  June 27, 2007
  Hey that's helpful - the Custom method and the CLI. Good know you can add it so easily. Any plans to provide stuff like this as separate downloads? Will be easier downloading less. (just a suggestion) ~A

• Anonymous
  June 30, 2007
  Does anyone know if it can be installed on XP Home? Is there some limitation or missing service which stops it (VHDMount) working? Extracting the installer files is an easy enough task, putting them in the right place and recreating services and registry keys is difficult. But there's no point trying if it simply won't work on Home.

• Anonymous
  May 04, 2011
  I have a problem with mother and child vhd. mother I can open but not the childs (snapshots). on these childs are some very important files which I need to extract. is there any way to open a child?

• Anonymous
  August 04, 2015
  Perfect, thanks Ben Armstrong for sharing