Install Windows 7/2008 on a VHD

Nothing new here, and therefor short. It's mainly so I have this stored where I can easily reach it.
(Content stolen from others)

Here's how to create a bootable VHD.

• Boot from DVD
• When the question for the regional settings appears, press SHIFT-F10. This opens a command prompt.
• Start DISKPART. With this Disk Partition Tool create a VHD file.
• Enter: CREATE VDISK FILE=<path to your vhd>\<your vhd>.vhd TYPE=EXPANDABLE MAXIMUM=20000

This creates a VHD file with a default size of 20Gb ("FIXED" size is possible if you like).

• Enter: SELECT VDISK FILE=<path to your vhd>\<your vhd>.vhd
• Enter: ATTACH VDISK
• Exit DISKPART and exit the Command Prompt.
• Continue the Windows installation and when the screen asks on what partition to install Windows, you can now select the newly created VHD! (Ignore any warnings).

The installation modifies the boot configuration, setting the new one as default.


For more information about the BCDEdit tool, read the article at TechNet