Last updated on March 21st, 2022 at 06:50 am
VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) files basically work like external storage media. In fact, the VHD file is the virtual type of our daily-used storage media, such as: pen drives, hard drives, etc.
However, since a lot of important data is stored in VHD files, their corruption may cause a lot of misery for you. In this post, we will try to discuss VHD files in detail and provide some effective ways to fix lost VHD files.
Let’s talk a little bit about the VHD file
A virtual hard disk (VHD) functions similarly to an external hard disk drive. It is implemented on a virtual computer. It can establish HDD partitions, documents, operate an operating system, and permit users to configure any functionality in a virtual environment.
MS Virtual PC generates VHD file types to record the full contents of a computer’s hard drive, including the boot register, system files, directories, and so forth. A VHD file is primarily used to backup a structure image. Moreover, even with their many benefits, VHD files are susceptible to corruption, resulting in the lack of access to VHD documents on a virtual device.
Here are some notable reasons why the VHD files get corrupted
All the data generated by your device will be saved on the virtual HDD. However, sometimes it can happen that the virtual device file gets manipulated or corrupted due to a malware infection or any vulnerability discovery issues. Some more reasons are as follows:
- VHD files may be corrupted if your HDD fails unexpectedly due to awful segments.
- A trojan or malicious infection can severely damage a VHD file.
- Data transmission beyond a defective server can crook your vital VHD files.
- If the virtual machine is open at the moment, an unexpected device closure caused by a power outage or any software or hardware concern can harm your VHD file.
- Human mistakes that could also potentially harm VHD files include incidental dismissal of protected data, registry reconfiguration failures, forced device closures, and inappropriate disk maintenance.
What are the manual tips and effective approaches to repairing the corrupted VHD files?
We’ve talked briefly regarding VHD file types and the causes of corruption and malfunction in a VHD document, so let’s just get to the quick fix. As a result of our analysis and study, we have emerged with a few of the best approaches to cope with this situation. Take note of the following workarounds and procedures:
Related Blog: How to Repair Corrupt MS Access Database File
Create an additional virtual machine to repair the VHD files
You must first establish a new virtual machine and then insert the crooked virtual HDD file into it. Then you just need to compress it. If you’re not sure how to use it, read the instructions below:
- Make an additional new Virtual Server and put in a different hard disk.
- Then, press “Settings” and navigate to the hard drive you previously created. Afterward, navigate to the VHD document that isn’t loading.
- Pick the “compact” option in the Virtual Disk Dialog box. Assure that the choice to transform this to a fixed-size disk is chosen. If the existing volume of your VHD is 50 Gigabytes but this only includes 10 Gigabytes of storage, the new VHD file may only be 10 Gigabytes.
- You can now end up saving this VHD document as the latest one with a different title.
After effectively compacting the VHD file, make copies of it and return it to the original server. Here, store a copy of the VHD file and attempt to “mount” it.
Use the powershell command
For individuals who are acquainted with the “Windows PowerShell” command lines, the very first option for repairing a VHD file is to utilize them. To mount the VHD document inside the root directory, simply type the command line given in the below image in Powershell.
However, there are some specific command lines for different operations like image scanning, repairing, etc. We have added them separately so that you can clearly understand them. See below.
- The command line for scanning the image if it is corrupted or not is as follows:
“Dism/Online/Clean-Image/CheckHealth”
- The command line to check an image for corruption (that can determine for certain if or not an image document is manipulated and whether or not it can be rebuilt) is as follows:
“Dism/Online/Cleanup-Image/ScanHealth”
- The command line, which by itself attempts a repair if somehow it finds any corruption, is as follows:
“Dism/Online/Clean-Image/RestoreHealth”
Is there any quick and easy solution to repair a corrupted VHD file?
Basically, the manual methodologies for repairing VHD documents that have been damaged or corrupted are difficult, and oftentimes the “PowerShell” command lines fail. In certain cases, it is preferable to use a third-party VHD Data Recovery tool.
To be true, the manual and free approaches fail to fix issues the majority of the time. On the contrary, a professional tool is more quality-full. But before you buy a tool, you must check out its features and reviews. Overall, any professional solution is better in performance than any other manual solution.
FAQs
Q. How to Use the “VHD Data Recovery” Tool to Recover Data from a Corrupt VHD File?
A. Make use of the steps to recover a corrupt VHD, or VHDX file are as follows:
- VHD Recovery software should be downloaded and installed
- Scanning is limited to “.vhd or .vhdx” files
- To repair corrupt partitions, choose between “Quick Scan” and “Advanced Scan.”
- On the software interface, show a preview of the data recovered from “.vhd or .vhdx” files
- Choose a location to save the VHD data that you want to recover
Q. Is the utility capable of recovering deleted VHDX partitions?
A. Yes, This Tool recover partitions that have been permanently deleted or erased from VHDX and VHD files.
Q. Is this software compatible with the Windows 10 operating system?
A. Yes, VHD file recovery software works with all Windows OS versions. This software is simple to install and use on any Windows PC.
Q. Is it possible to restore lost data from VHD files using the software’s sample version?
A. Yes, rather than saving all data, the Demo edition of VHD data Recovery software includes all functions. On the software interface, the free version only shows a preview of all recoverable data.
Q. Is this VHD file recovery software capable of repairing inaccessible or corrupted VHD or VHDX files?
A. This tool contains a powerful algorithm created specifically to restore corrupt or damaged VHD or VHDX files. In just a few simple steps, this tool will recover your data.